Hinge assembly and helmet

Abstract

A hinge assembly (5) is presented for attaching a first protective mask (3) and a second protective mask (4) to a helmet part (2) in a helmet (1). The hinge assembly (5) comprises at least a first through hole (7) provided in a first locking part (39) configured to stay in a fixed position in relation to the first protective mask (3), a U-shaped slot (9) provided in the second protective mask (4) and opening towards the attaching edge (8) of the second protective mask (4), a second through hole (16) provided in a second locking part (37) configured to stay in a fixed position in relation to the helmet part (2), and a hinge pin (6) configured to extend through at least the first through hole (7) and the U-shaped slot (9), when the first protective mask (3) and the second protective mask (4), respectively, are attached to the mask helmet part (2). The hinge assembly (5) is configured to attach the first protective mask (3) to the helmet part (2) in a pivotable manner, to attach the second protective mask (4) to the helmet part (2) in pivotable and removable manner, and to enable the second protective mask (4) to be attached to and detached from the helmet part (2) by pushing or pulling the second protective mask (4), respectively, with respect to the helmet part (2) by hand without tools or removing further parts.

Description

[0001] HINGE ASSEMBLY AND HELMET

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] The present disclosure relates to helmets, and more particularly to a hinge assembly in a helmet and a helmet.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Many kinds of helmets, especially work helmets, such as welding helmets, are available in the market. Many of these helmets may be uncomfortable to use. Masks, in some cases also called shields, attached to the helmets may not be suitable for all work phases and changing the mask may be difficult, if even possible, and requires using tools for unmounting and mounting the masks to the helmet. The helmets may also not fit well heads of all shapes and sizes.

[0006] BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a new hinge assembly for attaching a first protective mask and a second protective mask to a helmet part in a helmet, and a new helmet.

[0008] The object is achieved by a hinge assembly and a helmet, which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. Some embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0009] The disclosure is based on the idea of providing a hinge assembly with mechanical construction, which enables rotation of at least two masks in relation to the helmet part, wherein one of the masks is attached to helmet in a manner not intended to be removed during normal use, and the other one of the masks can be slid into place in the helmet part and out for unmounting the mask from the helmet part.

[0010] An advantage of the disclosure is that it enables quick mounting of a second mask to a helmet without tools, and rotation of both masks in relation to the helmet part.

[0011] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] In the following the disclosure will be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates schematically a helmet according to an embodiment seen from a side in a first use position;

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates schematically the helmet of Figure 1 seen from a side in a second use position; Figure 3 illustrates schematically the helmet of Figure 1 seen from a side in a third use position;

[0015] Figure 4 illustrates schematically the helmet of Figure 1 seen from a side in a fourth use position;

[0016] Figure 5 illustrates schematically a hinge assembly according to an embodiment as an exploded view in perspective from a first direction;

[0017] Figure 6 illustrates schematically the hinge assembly of Figure 5 as an exploded view in perspective from a second direction;

[0018] Figure 7 illustrates schematically the hinge assembly of Figure 5 in cross section at a first attaching edge in a transverse direction of the helmet;

[0019] Figure 8 illustrates schematically a first detail of the hinge assembly of Figure 5;

[0020] Figure 9 illustrates schematically a second detail of the hinge assembly of Figure 5;

[0021] Figure 10 illustrates schematically the helmet of Figure 1 seen from a side in a fifth use position;

[0022] Figure 11 illustrates schematically a helmet according to an embodiment shown from an underside;

[0023] Figure 12 illustrates schematically a helmet according to an embodiment shown from a side in a partial cross section;

[0024] Figure 13 illustrates schematically a helmet according to a further embodiment shown from an underside;

[0025] Figure 14 illustrates schematically a helmet according to a further embodiment shown from an underside; and

[0026] Figures 15 and 16 illustrate schematically a detail of a helmet according to an embodiment.

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0028] In this description, expressions related to directions are used in relation to a position, wherein the helmet 1 is provided in a position similar to that when the helmet is provided in a head of a person standing in an upright position. In other words, expressions such as side, underside and so on should be understood in this context and not referring to a position of the helmet or its parts for instance in an arbitrary position. For instance, an underside of the helmet 1 refers to the side of the helmet facing the top of the person’s head, when the person is wearing the helmet, a front of the helmet refers to an end worn towards the person’s forehead, frontal centre line refers to a line extending in a vertical direction in the middle of the front of the helmet, when the end user is standing in an upright position, and the transverse direction of the helmet 1 referring to a direction extending approximately from the persons ear to ear, and so on. In some cases, words such as transverse may be used in another meaning, but this is then explained separately in connection with the embodiment in question.

[0029] Figures 1 - 4 illustrate schematically a helmet according to an embodiment seen from a side in a four different use positions, and Figure 10 illustrates schematically a helmet according to an embodiment in a fifth use position, which are explained in more detail in connection with the embodiments. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate schematically a hinge assembly according to an embodiment as an exploded view in perspective from two different directions, Figure 7 illustrates schematically the hinge assembly of Figure 5 in cross section at a first attaching edge in a transverse direction of the helmet; and Figures 8 and 9 illustrate schematically details of the hinge assembly. Figure 11 illustrates schematically a hinge assembly according to another embodiment as an exploded view.

[0030] In this disclosure, a hinge assembly 5 refers to a combination of features enabling parts related to the hinge assembly 5 to rotate fully or partially, and freely or incrementally, in relation to each other. Some of these features are called parts, such as locking parts, but depending on the embodiment, these may comprise separate structural parts or the features may be formed as a part of another part. For instance, a locking part may be formed as a separate structural part or it may be formed in a mask or in a helmet part, depending on the embodiment.

[0031] A hinge assembly 5 for attaching a first protective mask 3 and a second protective mask 4 to a helmet part 2 in a helmet 1 , such as the hinge assembly 5 of Figures 5 - 10 or Figure 11 , comprises at least a first through hole 7 provided in a first locking part 39. The first locking part 39 is configured to stay in a fixed position in relation to the first protective mask 3 at a first attaching edge 8, which is the first attaching edge of the first protective mask 3 and the second protective mask 4. The first attaching edge 8 comprises a distal edge of the first protective mask 3 and the second protective mask 4, which distal edge is directed away from the frontal vertical centre line of the first protective mask 3 and the second protective mask 4. In other words, the attaching edge is directed backwards, when the first protective mask 3 and / or the second protective mask 4 is attached to the helmet 1 and the helmet is worn by a person, at least when the first protective mask 3 and the second protective mask 4 are in a first use position, namely in a vertical or substantially vertical position illustrated in Figure 1 . It is clear for a person skilled in the art that the position of the first attaching edge 8 of each part moves, when the part is rotated in relation to the helmet part 2. The helmet 1 may comprise two attaching edges, the first attaching edge 8 on one side of the helmet 1 , in other words configured to be provided close to one ear of the end user, and a second attaching edge on an opposite side of the helmet, in other words configured to be provided close to the other ear of the end user. The first protective mask 3 and the second protective mask 4 are configured to be attached to the helmet part 2 of the helmet 1 at the first attaching edge 8 and / or the second attaching edge. The second attaching edge and an associated second hinge assembly may be similar to the first attaching edge 8 and the hinge assembly 5 but mirrored in relation to a longitudinal centre line 64 of the helmet 1 .

[0032] According to an embodiment, the first locking part 39 may be formed as a part of the first protective mask 3. According to another embodiment, the first locking part 39 may be formed as a separate structural part. According to an embodiment, a first locking part 39 formed as a separate structural part may be configured to be mounted to the first protective mask 3 in a fixed manner, such as by screws, bolts, an adhesive material or in some other suitable manner. A through hole refers to a hole extending through a part. The first through hole 7 may extend through the first locking part 39 in a direction, which is parallel to the transverse direction of the helmet 1 , when the hinge assembly 5 is mounted to the helmet 1 . In embodiments, wherein the first locking part 39 is formed as a separate structural part, in other words as a structural part separate from the first protective mask 3, the first through hole 7 may, thus, extend through both the first protective mask 3 and the first locking part 39, as shown in Figure 5. In embodiments, wherein the first locking part 39 is formed as a separate structural part, the outer surface 35 of the first locking part 39 may be configured to extend through the first through hole 7 in the first protective mask 3 and, in some embodiments, to form a continuous surface with the outer surface 54 of the first protective mask 3.

[0033] The hinge assembly 5 further comprises a U-shaped slot 9 provided in the second protective mask 4. The U-shaped slot 9 opens towards the first attaching edge 8 of the second protective mask 4. In other words, the U-shaped slot 9 is open towards the attaching edge 8 in such a manner that a structural part may be slid into the slot 9 from the attaching edge 8 and towards the closed end of the slot 9, which closed end of the slot 9 is the end of the slot opposite to the open end at the first attaching edge 8. According to an embodiment, the U-shaped slot 9 may extend through the second protective mask 4 at least along a portion of the slot 9. According to an embodiment, the U-shaped slot 9 may extend through the second protective mask 4 along the entire length of the slot 9. According to an embodiment, a bridge 80 may be provided at the first attaching edge 8 of the second protective mask 4, which bridge 80 extends over the open end of the slot 9 on an outside of the slot 9 and the second protective mask 4. The bridge 80 may for instance strengthen the second protective mask 4 at the first attaching edge 8 around the slot 9, especially the open end of the slot 9.

[0034] The hinge assembly 5 further comprises a second through hole 16 provided in a second locking part 37. The second locking part 37 is configured to stay in a fixed position in relation to the helmet part 2. According to an embodiment, the second locking part 37 may be formed as a part of the helmet part 2. According to another embodiment, the second locking part 37 may be formed as a separate structural part. According to an embodiment, a second locking part 37 formed as a separate structural part may be configured to be mounted to the helmet part in a fixed manner, such as by screws, bolts, an adhesive material or in some other suitable manner.

[0035] The hinge assembly 5 further comprises a hinge pin 6 configured to extend through at least the first through hole 7 and the U-shaped slot 9. More particularly, the hinge pin 6 extends through at least the first through hole 7 when the first protective mask 3 is attached to the helmet part 2, and the hinge pin 6 extends through at least the U-shaped slot 9, when the second protective mask 4 is attached to the helmet part 2.

[0036] The hinge assembly 5 is configured to attach the first protective mask 3 to the helmet part 2 by the hinge pin 6, the first through hole 7 and the second through hole 16 in a pivotable manner but so that the first protective mask 3 cannot be detached from the helmet part 2 without disassembling the hinge assembly 5. More particularly, the first protective mask 3 may be attached to the helmet part 2 by providing the hinge pin 6 to extend through the first through hole 7 and the second through hole 16. Thus, the first protective mask 3 can be rotated in relation to the helmet part 2, for instance moved up to a horizontal position, or a substantially horizontal position, when the first protective mask 3 is not needed, for instance during breaks in working. The first protective mask 3, and also the second protective mask 4, are shown in such a horizontal or substantially horizontal position, or a third use position, in Figure 3. The first protective mask 3 is not, however, intended to be removed from the helmet part 2 during normal use.

[0037] The hinge assembly 5 is also configured to attach the second protective mask 4 to the helmet part 2 by the hinge pin 6, the second through hole 16, and the U-shaped slot 9 in pivotable and removable manner. More particularly, the second protective mask 4 may be attached to the helmet part 2 by sliding the second protective mask 4 in relation to the helmet part 2 in such a manner that the hinge pin 6 is received in the slot 9 in the second protective mask 4. In other words, the second protective mask 4 may be pushed to its place, more particularly pushed in a direction A, and to be attached to the helmet part 2 and pulled to remove it, as shown in Figures 1 and 10. This may be done by hand without any tools. The second protective mask 4 can also be rotated in relation to the helmet part 2, for instance moved up to a horizontal position, or a substantially horizontal position, when the second protective mask 4 is not needed, for instance during breaks in working. The first protective mask 3, and also the second protective mask 4, are shown in such a horizontal or substantially horizontal position, or a third use position, in Figure 3. The second protective mask 4 may, thus, also be removed from the helmet part 2, as shown in Figure 10, also called a fifth use position in this description, for instance when it is not needed for a longer period of time, or exchanged with another protective mask, for instance with another type of a second protective mask 4.

[0038] The hinge assembly 5 is further configured to enable the first protective mask 3 and the second protective mask 4 to pivot about the hinge pin 6 with respect to the helmet part 2 in such a manner that a rotation of the second protective mask 4 independently from the first protective mask 3 is also enabled. In other words, for instance, the second protective mask 4 may be rotated to a horizontal position while the first protective mask 3 is kept in its basic vertical use position, as shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, the hinge assembly 5 is configured to enable the second protective mask 4 to be attached to and detached from the helmet part 2 by pushing or pulling the second protective mask 4, respectively, with respect to the helmet part 2 by hand without tools or removing further parts.

[0039] A protective mask intended to be attached to a helmet 1 , such as the first protective mask 3 and / or the second protective mask 4, may sometimes also be referred to as a shield or a screen. According to an embodiment, the first protective mask 3 may comprise a grinding mask. According to an embodiment, the second protective mask 4 may comprise a welding mask, for instance an automatically darkening mask or a passive mask.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the hinge pin 6 comprises a transverse part 15 and an axial part 23 protruding from the transverse part 15 and having a pin-like shape. In this case, the transverse part 15 being called transverse does not refer to a transverse direction of the helmet 1. Instead, the transverse part 15 extends in a transverse direction in relation to the axial part 23. According to an embodiment, the axial part 23 is the part of the hinge pin 6 configured to extend through the U-shaped slot 9, the first through hole 7, and the second through hole 16. The axial part 23 may, thus, define a rotational axis, about which the first protective mask 3 and the second protective mask 4 may be arranged to rotate in relation to the helmet part 2 and, in some cases, in relation to each other. According to an embodiment, the hinge pin 6 may be configured to be provided to the hinge assembly 5 from an outside of the hinge assembly 5, which refers to the side directed away from the head of the person using the helmet. According to an embodiment, the hinge pin 6 may extend outwards from the first through hole 7 and the U-shaped slot 9 in the hinge assembly 5. In other words, a part of the hinge pin 6 may be configured to extend outwards, in other words away from the head of the person using the helmet, from the first through hole 7 and the U-shape slot 9, while another part of the hinge pin 6 extends through the first through hole 7 and the U-shaped slot 9. According to an embodiment, the transverse part 15 may be configured to extend outwards, in other words on an outside, of the first through hole 7 and the U-shaped slot 9, while the axial part 23 extends through the first through hole 7 and the U-shaped slot 9. Thereby, a part, such as the transverse part 15, of the hinge pin 6 may be provided outside both the first protective mask 3 and the second protective mask 4, and a part, such as the axial part 23, of the hinge pin 6 may be designer to extend inwards therefrom, such as from the transverse part 15, through the U-shaped slot 9 and the first through hole 7.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the hinge assembly 5 further comprises a spring assembly 40. The spring assembly 40 may comprise a spring cup 41 . The spring cup 41 may comprise a flange portion 42. The flange portion 42 may be provided towards an inside of the helmet part 2 and have a diameter 43 larger than a smallest inner diameter 22 of the second through hole 16. In other words, the flange portion 42 of the spring cup 41 may be configured to be inwards, in other words towards the head of the person using the helmet, from the second locking part 37.

[0042] The spring cup 41 may further comprise a pin portion 44 protruding from the flange portion 42 and configured to extend through the second through hole 16, and a third through hole 45 extending inside the spring cup 41 . The third through hole 45 may comprise a first inner diameter 46 at the pin portion end of the spring cup 41 and a second inner diameter 47 at the flange end of the spring cup 41 . A portion of the spring cup 41 having the second inner diameter 47 defines a cavity 48 inside the spring cup 41 . Thereby, in the hinge assembly 5, the pin portion 44 of the spring cup 41 may be arranged to extend into the second through hole 16, and the flange portion 42 of the spring cup 41 may be arranged to extend around the second through hole 16 on the inside of the second locking part 37.

[0043] Besides the spring cup 41 , the spring assembly 40 may comprise a spring plate 49 provided in the cavity 48, a mounting member 50 and a compressible member 51 . The mounting member 50 may be arranged to extend through the spring plate 49 and inside the axial part 23 of the hinge pin 6, and to be fixed to the hinge pin 6, for instance on an outer surface 56 of the hinge pin 6, for mounting the spring plate 49 to the hinge pin 6. According to an embodiment, the mounting member 50 may comprise a bolt-like structure configured to extend through a bore in the hinge pin 6 onto the outer side of the hinge assembly 5, and to be fixed to the hinge pin 6 by a nut or a similar threaded structure. According to another embodiment, the mounting member 50 may comprise a bolt-like or screw-like structure threaded at least at an outer end of the mounting member 50, and a threaded part 81 may be provided inside the hinge pin 6 for fixing the mounting member 50 to the hinge pin 6. According to an embodiment, the threaded part 81 may comprise an insert 82 provided with an inner thread. According to another embodiment, the threaded part 81 may comprise a threading formed inside a bore provided in the hinge pin 6 for the mounting member 50.

[0044] The compressible member 51 may be provided in the cavity 48 around the axial part 23 of the hinge pin 6 in a space limited by the spring plate 49 and / or the spring cup 41 . In the hinge assembly 5, the mounting member 50 of the spring assembly 40 and the hinge pin 6 may, thus, mount, or assemble, the hinge assembly 5 in such a manner that, starting from the outside, the hinge pin 6, the slot 9 in the second protective mask 4, the first locking part 39, the second locking part 37, and the spring cup 41 are mounted to each other in a mutually rotatable manner by the mounting member 50, which mounting member 50 is fixed at its outer end to the hinge pin 6. Thus, the spring assembly 40 may be arranged to provide a spring force pressing the first protective mask 3, the second protective mask 4, the hinge pin 6 and the helmet part 2 together.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the axial part 23 of the hinge pin 6 may be configured to extend into the spring cup 41 . More particularly, the axial part 23 may be configured to extend at least in the pin portion end of the spring cup 41 having the first inner diameter 46. According to an embodiment, the axial part 23 may further be configured to extend into the cavity 48. According to an embodiment, the axial part 23 may be configured to engage with the spring plate 49, when the spring assembly 40 is mounted to the hinge pin 6 by the at least one mounting member 50.

[0046] According to an embodiment, an outer perimeter 24 of the axial part 23 of the hinge pin 6 and an inner perimeter 52 of the spring cup 41 are formed to lock to each other in the rotational direction about the axial direction 17 of the hinge pin 6, when the axial part 23 is pushed into the third through hole 45, for instance as shown in Figure 9. According to an embodiment, the outer perimeter 24 of the axial part 23 and the inner perimeter 52 of the spring cup 41 may be equipped with teeth or teeth-like surface to prevent a mutual rotation of the spring cup 41 and the hinge pin 6 in relation to each other. According to an embodiment, the teeth may be provided in a non-symmetrical manner, for instance with one toot missing, such as shown in Figure 9, to ensure that the spring cup 41 and the hinge pin 6 are always provided in a predetermined mutual position.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the second protective mask 4 comprises on a first outer surface 10 a first groove 11 extending around the U-shaped slot 9 on both sides 12 and at the closed end 13 of the U-shaped slot 9. Thereby, the first groove 11 forms a recess on the first outer surface 10 opening towards the first attaching edge 8 of the second protective mask 4. The first groove 11 , similarly to other grooves disclosed in this description and accompanying claims and drawings, and the recess formed by it may be formed by the groove penetrating in the surface surrounding the groove, by providing edges protruding from the surrounding surface around the groove or by a combination of these. The first groove 11 may have a larger area than the area of the U-shaped slot 9. The hinge pin 6 may, then, comprise, at an outer end 14 of the hinge pin 6, the transverse part 15, which transverse part 15 may at least partly conform to the shape of the first groove 11 . Thereby the mutual position of the second protective mask 4 and the hinge pin 6 in the direction of rotation about the hinge pin 6, more particularly about an axial direction 17 of the hinge pin 6, is locked, when the transverse part 15 is received in the first groove 11.

[0048] Figure 9 illustrates schematically a second detail of the hinge assembly of Figure 5. More particularly, Figure 9 illustrates the second locking part 37 and the spring cup 41 . Figure 9 illustrates counter surfaces of the second locking part 37 and the spring cup 41 . In other words, Figure 9 illustrates the second locking part 37 from the direction of the inner surface 19 and the spring cup 41 from the direction of the outer surface 53.

[0049] According to an embodiment, an inner surface 19 of the second locking part 37 around the second through hole 16 and an outer surface 53 of the flange portion 42 of the spring cup 41 form first counter surfaces 19, 53. One of the first counter surfaces 19, 53 may be provided with at least one second protrusion 20 and the other of the first counter surfaces 19, 53 may be provided with at least two second grooves 25 formed to conform at least partly to the shape and a position of the second protrusion 20. Thereby the position of the spring cup 41 and, thereby, the hinge pin 6 and the second protective mask 4 with respect to the helmet part 2, can be locked in the direction of rotation about the axial direction 17 of the hinge pin 6 in each position, where the second protrusion 20 is received in one of the second grooves 25. According to an embodiment, one of the first counter surfaces 19, 53 is provided with at least two second protrusions 20 and the other of the first counter surfaces 19, 53 is provided with at least three second grooves 25. According to an embodiment, one of the first counter surfaces 19, 53 is provided with four second protrusions 20 and the other of the first counter surfaces 19, 53 is provided with at least four second grooves 25. According to an embodiment, the adjacent second protrusions 20 and the adjacent second grooves 25 are spaced at 90 degrees angles with respect to each other along the first counter surfaces 19, 53. More particularly, the adjacent second protrusions 20 and the adjacent second grooves 25 may be spaced at 90 degrees angles with respect to each other along the first counter surfaces 19, 53 in such a manner that the second protective mask 4 may be rotated to two mutual positions of the second protective mask 4 and the helmet part 2, wherein these two mutual positions differ from each other by an angle of 90 degrees, such as to the first use position illustrated in Figure 1 and to the second use position illustrated in Figure 2. According to a further embodiment, the angle, and thus the spacing of the adjacent second protrusions 20 and the adjacent second grooves 25, may be in the range of 75 - 105 degrees.

[0050] Figure 8 illustrates schematically a first detail of the hinge assembly of Figure 5. More particularly, Figure 8 illustrates the first locking part 39 and the second locking part 37. Figure 8 illustrates counter surfaces of the first locking part 39 and the second locking part 37. In other words, Figure 8 illustrates the first locking part 39 from the direction of the inner surface 30 and the second locking part 37 from the direction of the outer surface 31 .

[0051] According to an embodiment, an inner surface 30 of the first locking part 39 around the first through hole 7 and an outer surface 31 of the second locking part 37 around the second through hole 16 form second counter surfaces 30, 31 . One of the second counter surfaces 30, 31 may be provided with at least one third protrusion 32 and the other of the second counter surfaces 30, 31 is provided with at least two fifth grooves 33 formed to conform to the shape and a position of the third protrusion 32. Thereby the position of first protective mask 3 with respect to the helmet part 2 can be locked in the direction of rotation about the axial direction 17 of the hinge pin 6 in each position, where the third protrusion 32 is received in one of the fifth grooves 33. According to an embodiment, one of the second counter surfaces 30, 31 may be provided with at least two third protrusions 32 and the other of the second counter surfaces 30, 31 is provided with at least three fifth grooves 33.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the one of the first counter surfaces 19, 53 provided with the second grooves 25 may further be provided with at least two third grooves 28 formed to, at least partly, conform to the shape and a position of the at least one second protrusion 20. More particularly, the second grooves 25 and the third grooves 28 may be provided on the same surface, but at different positions. According to an embodiment, the second grooves 25 and the third grooves 28 may extend in a radial direction of the first counter surface 19, 53. According to an embodiment, the second grooves 25 may be radially offset from the third grooves 28.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the transverse part 15 of the hinge pin 6 may be formed in such a manner that it can be received in the first groove 11 in two positions 180 degrees different from one another in a rotational direction about the axial direction 17 of the hinge pin 6. The position of the transverse part 15 in relation to the second protective mask 4, then, affects the mutual position of second locking part 37 and the spring cup 41 locked to the hinge pin 6 in the rotational direction about the axial direction 17 of the hinge pin 6.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the second protrusion(s) 20 may be provided on one of the first counter surfaces 19, 53 in such a manner that the second protrusion(s) 20 can be received in both the second grooves 25 and the third grooves 28 in one mutual position of the transverse part 15 and the first groove 11 , when the second protective mask 4 is rotated with respect to the helmet part 2, and that the second protrusion(s) 20 can only be received in the second grooves 25 in the other mutual position of the transverse part 15 and the first groove 11 , when the second protective mask 4 is rotated with respect to the helmet part 2.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the second grooves 25 have a first length 26 in a radial direction of the first counter surface 53, 19, on which the second grooves 25 and third grooves 28 are provided, and the third grooves 28 have a second length 27 in the radial direction of the first counter surface 53, 19, wherein the first length 26 is different from the second length 27. According to an embodiment, the second length 27 may be shorter than the first length 26. According to an embodiment, the second protrusion(s) 20 within one half, a first half, of one of the first counter surfaces 19, 53 is / are provided at a different distance, a first distance 57, from the longitudinal axis 58 of the axial part 23 of the hinge pin 6 than the second protrusion(s) within the other half, the second half, of the first counter surface 19, 53, provided at a second distance 58 from the longitudinal axis 58. This is best illustrated in Figure 9. According to an embodiment, the first length 26 and the position of the second grooves 25 may be configured to enable receiving each one of the second protrusions 20 in each one of the second grooves 25 but only a half of the third grooves 28. In other words, when turning the second protective mask 4 about the longitudinal axis 58 of the axial part 23 of the hinge pin 6 in relation to the helmet part 2, the second protrusions 20 may be received in the second grooves 25 in a number of mutual positions of the second protective mask 4 and the helmet part 2, which is equal to the number of second grooves 28 on the first counter surface 19, 53 in question. This is because the second grooves 25 are long enough in the radial direction to receive the second protrusions 20, regardless of the distance of the second protrusion 20 in question from the longitudinal axis 58. On the other hand, in such an embodiment, when turning the second protective mask 4 about the longitudinal axis 58 of the axial part 23 of the hinge pin 6 in relation to the helmet part 2, the second protrusions 20 may be received in the third grooves 28 in one mutual position of the second protective mask 4 and the helmet part 2. This is because there is only one mutual position of the second protective mask 4 and the helmet part 2, where the halves with differently positioned second protrusions 20 and third grooves 28 all are aligned so that the second protrusions 20 are received in the third grooves 28, which is illustrated for instance in Figure 9. According to an embodiment, the mutual position of the helmet part 2 and the second protective mask 4, in which the second protrusions 20 may be received in the third grooves 28, may be designed to be a position, in which the second protective mask 4 is rotated less than 30 degrees upwards from a downward position, such as the fourth use position illustrated in Figure 4. The downward position of the second protective mask 4 refers to the position wherein the mask, such as the second protective mask 4, is in its vertical, or closest to vertical, position, in other words in its position, where the front of the second protective mask 4 extends in a direction closest to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal centre line 64 of the helmet part 2 extending from the back of the helmet part 2 to the front of the helmet part 2, such as shown in Figure 1 . According to an embodiment, mutual position of the second protective mask 4 and the helmet part 2, where the second protrusions 20 are receive in the third grooves 28, may only be designed to be enabled in one mutual position of the hinge pin 6 and the first groove 11 . This may be designed due to the physically limited rotation of the second protective mask 4 in relation to the helmet part 2, as it is clear for a person in the art that the second protective mask 4 is not capable of turning a full 360 degrees about the longitudinal axis 58. Thereby the first protective mask 3 and the second protective mask 4 can also be locked in different mutual positions in the respective positions of the transverse part 15 with respect to the first groove 11 . According to an embodiment, the first protective mask 3 and the second protective mask 4 can be locked in mutual positions corresponding to Figures 1 , 2, 3, and 10, in other words in the first, second, third and fifth use position, respectively, in one position of the transverse part 15 with respect to the first groove 11 , and in mutual positions corresponding to Figures 1 , 2, 3, 4, and 10, in other words in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth use position, respectively, in the other position of the transverse part 15 with respect to the first groove 11. According to an embodiment, the fourth use position, namely the mutual position of the first protective mask 3, the second protective mask 4, and the helmet part 2 illustrated in Figure 4, may be called a gap view. According to an embodiment, the adjacent second protrusions 20 and the adjacent third grooves 28 may be spaced at an angle in the range of 60 to 120 degrees angles with respect to each other along the first counter surfaces 19, 53. According to an embodiment, the adjacent second protrusions 20 and the adjacent third grooves 28 may be spaced at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to each other along the first counter surfaces 19, 53. According to an embodiment, wherein the second grooves 25 and the third grooves 28 extend in a radial direction, and wherein the third grooves 28 are radially indexed in relation to the second grooves 25, the third grooves 28 may be radially indexed in relation to the second grooves 25 by a predetermined angle corresponding to a desired intermediate position for locking the second protective mask 4, such as the fourth use position illustrated in Figure 4. According to some embodiments, the third grooves 28 may be radially indexed in relation to the second grooves 25 by an angle of 45 degrees or less, preferably 30 degrees or less, more preferably 20 degrees or less, and most preferably 15 degrees or less. Thereby, each second groove 25 may be provided radially closer to the adjacent third groove 28 than the adjacent second groove 25.

[0056] In this disclosure, locking the first protective mask 3, the second protective mask 4 and / or the helmet part 2, or some other structural part, in a position refers to the protrusions of a counter surface being received in respective grooves in an opposing counter surface. This means that the structural parts in question are kept in a mutual position by the form lock, which may in some cases also be called a shape lock or a snap lock, instead of for instance only by friction, preventing unintended mutual rotation of the structural parts for instance by sliding. In other words, the structural parts are not locked in a position in such manner that it wouldn’t be possible to intentionally change their mutual position by providing a sufficient force, for instance by pushing one of the parts by hand, to exceed the spring force of the spring assembly 40 to release the form lock and to enable mutual rotation of the structural parts.

[0057] According to an embodiment, at least one of the inner surface 34 of the second protective mask 4 around the first groove 11 and an outer surface 54 of the first protective mask 3 around the first through hole 7 is formed as a plane surface without grooves or protrusions. One or both of the inner surface 34 of the second protective mask 4 around the first groove 11 and an outer surface 54 of the first protective mask 3 around the first through hole 7 comprise some other type of shaping, uneven surface structure or similar, though.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the hinge assembly 5 may comprises similar structures provided at both sides 36 of the helmet part 2, whereby the first protective mask 3 and the second protective mask 4 can be attached to the helmet part 2 in a similar, although mirrored, manner on both sides 36 of the helmet part 2.

[0059] According to an aspect, a helmet 1 , for instance a helmet 1 for welding, may comprise a helmet part 2 for fitting the helmet 1 to an end user’s head, a first protective mask 3, a second protective mask 4, and a hinge assembly 5 according to an embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed in this description and / or accompanying claims and / or drawings.

[0060] Figure 11 illustrates schematically a helmet according to an embodiment shown from an underside; Figure 12 illustrates schematically a helmet according to an embodiment shown from a side in a partial cross section; Figure 13 illustrates schematically a helmet according to a further embodiment shown from an underside; and Figure 14 illustrates schematically a helmet according to a further embodiment shown from an underside. Figures 15 and 16 illustrates schematically a detail of a helmet according to an embodiment. More particularly, Figures 15 and 16 illustrate opposite sides of a fastening element 63 according to an embodiment.

[0061] According to an aspect, a helmet 1 , which helmet 1 may or may not comprise a hinge assembly 5, the first protective mask 3 and / or the second protective mask 4 disclosed in this disclosure, may comprise an adjustment assembly 60 for adjusting the position of the helmet 1 with respect to a head of the end user.

[0062] The adjustment assembly 60 may comprise two straps 61 attached to opposite corners 62 inside the helmet part 2 by fastening elements 63 and arranged to cross each other at least once along a longitudinal centre line 64 of the helmet part 2. It should be understood that the corners 62 of the helmet part 2 are typically not sharp corners, but the expression corner 62 refers to a part of the helmet part 2 along the inner circumference of the helmet part 2 between the longitudinal centerline 64 and a transverse centerline (not shown) of the helmet part 2.

[0063] Each fastening element 63, such as a fastening element 63 of Figure 15 and / or 16, may be mounted to the helmet part 2 in a rotatable manner. Each fastening element 63 may comprise a locking element 68 on the outside of the fastening element 63 to engage at each time with one height adjustment groove 69 provided on the inside of the helmet part 2, when the fastening element in rotated in relation to the helmet part 2. Each fastening element 63 may further comprise a curved slot 71 through which an end of the strap is attached to the fastening element 63. Thereby the height and angle of the helmet 1 can be adjusted by rotating the front and back fastening elements 63. According to an embodiment, each strap 61 may further be attached to the inside of the helmet 1 by at least one support element 72 provided on a side of the helmet 1 between the corners 62. Each support element 72 may comprise a slot 83, through which the strap 61 can slide freely. Thereby the strap 61 may extend from a fastening element 63 at one corner 62 of the helmet 1 through the at least one support element 72 and finally to another fastening element 63. Adjacent fastening element 63 and / or support element 72 may, in each case, be provided on an opposite side of the longitudinal centre line 64 of the helmet part 2, and the strap 61 may, in each case, be arranged to cross the longitudinal centre line 64 between adjacent fastening element(s) and / or support element(s) 72. Thus, depending on the number of support elements 72 provided for each strap 61 , the fastening elements 63 of the strap 61 may be provided on a same side or on opposite sides of the longitudinal centre line 64.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the adjustment assembly 60 may further comprise two adjustment elements 65 provided on opposite sides of the helmet part 2 each having a front end 66 and a back end 67. Each fastening element 63 may further comprise a pin 70 provided on the inside of the fastening element 63. The front end 66 of each adjustment element may be connected to a front band 73 of the helmet 1 and a distance adjustment slot 74 formed of a line of partly overlapping round holes configured to receive, in each case, the pin 70 of one of the fastening elements 63 provided at the front of the helmet part 2 to provide a step-wise adjustment of the distance of the front band 73 from the front end of the helmet part 2. According to an embodiment, the back end 67 of each adjustment element 65 may be branched to a first branch 75 fastening the adjustment element 65 to a back band 76 of the helmet 1 and a second branch 77 provided with a smooth slot (not shown) configured to receive, in each case, the pin 70 of one of the fastening elements 63 provided at the back of the helmet part 2 to provide a stepless adjustment of the mutual position of the second branch 77 and the respective fastening element 63 depending on a size adjustment of the helmet 1 . This smooth slot is not shown in the figures, but the pin 70 is shown for instance in Figure 13 indicating the position of the smooth slot. The distance between the front end of the helmet 1 and the front band 73 can then be adjusted by moving the respective pin 70 in the distance adjustment slot 74.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the back band 76 is provided with adjustment means for adjusting the size of the helmet 1 to conform to a size of the end user.

[0066] As explained in the disclosure, the hinge assembly 5 and the adjustment assembly 60 may, thus, be used together in a same helmet 1 or independently from each other.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A hinge assembly for attaching a first protective mask and a second protective mask to a helmet part in a helmet, wherein the hinge assembly comprises at least a first through hole provided in a first locking part, which first locking part is configured to stay in a fixed position in relation to the first protective mask at a first attaching edge, which is the first attaching edge of the first protective mask and the second protective mask, a U-shaped slot provided in the second protective mask and opening towards the attaching edge of the second protective mask, a second through hole provided in a second locking part, which second locking part is configured to stay in a fixed position in relation to the helmet part, and a hinge pin configured to extend through at least the first through hole and the U- shaped slot, when the first protective mask and the second protective mask, respectively, are attached to the helmet part; wherein the hinge assembly is configured to attach the first protective mask to the helmet part by the hinge pin, the first through hole and the second through hole in a pivotable manner but so that the first protective mask cannot be detached from the helmet part without disassembling the hinge assembly, to attach the second protective mask to the helmet part by the hinge pin, the second through hole, and the U-shaped slot in pivotable and removable manner, to enable the first protective mask and the second protective mask to pivot about the hinge pin with respect to the helmet part in such a manner that a rotation of the second protective mask independently from the first protective mask is also enabled; and to enable the second protective mask to be attached to and detached from the helmet part by pushing or pulling the second protective mask, respectively, with respect to the helmet part by hand without tools or removing further parts.

2. A hinge assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the hinge pin comprises a transverse part and an axial part protruding from the transverse part and having a pin-like shape.

3. A hinge assembly according to claim 2, wherein the hinge assembly further comprises a spring assembly comprising a spring cup comprising a flange portion provided towards an inside of the helmet part, and having a diameter larger than a smallest inner diameter of the second through hole,a pin portion protruding from the flange portion and configured to extend through the second through hole, and a third through hole extending inside the spring cup and comprising a first inner diameter at the pin portion end of the spring cup and a second inner diameter at the flange end of the spring cup, wherein a portion of the spring cup having the second inner diameter defines a cavity inside the spring cup; a spring plate provided in the cavity; a mounting member extending through the spring plate and inside the axial part of the hinge pin, and fixed to the hinge pin for mounting the spring plate to the hinge pin; and a compressible member provided in the cavity around the axial part of the hinge pin in a space limited by the spring plate, wherein the spring assembly provides a spring force pressing the first protective mask, the second protective mask, the hinge pin and the helmet part together.

4. A hinge assembly according to claim 3, wherein an outer perimeter of the axial part of the hinge pin and an inner perimeter of the spring cup are formed to lock to each other in the rotational direction about the axial direction of the hinge pin, when the axial part is pushed into the third through hole.

5. A hinge assembly according to any one of claims 2 - 4, wherein the second protective mask comprises on a first outer surface a first groove extending around the U-shaped slot on both sides and at the closed end of the U-shaped slot, whereby the first groove forms a recess on the first outer surface opening towards the first attaching edge of the second protective mask and having a larger area than the area of the U-shaped slot, and wherein the hinge pin comprises, at an outer end of the hinge pin, the transverse part, which transverse part at least partly conforms to the shape of the first groove, whereby the mutual position of the second protective mask and the hinge pin in the direction of rotation about the hinge pin, more particularly about an axial direction of the hinge pin, is locked, when the transverse part is received in the first groove.

6. A hinge assembly according to claim 5, wherein an inner surface of the second locking part around the second through hole and an outer surface of the flange portion of the spring cup form first counter surfaces, wherein one of the first counter surfaces is provided with at least one second protrusion and the other of the first counter surfaces is provided with at least two second grooves formed to conform at least partly to the shape and a position of the second protrusion, whereby the position of the spring cupand, thereby, the hinge pin and the second protective mask with respect to the helmet part can be locked in the direction of rotation about the axial direction of the hinge pin in each position, where the second protrusion is received in one of the second grooves.

7. A hinge assembly according to claim 6, wherein one of the first counter surfaces is provided with four second protrusions and the other of the first counter surfaces is provided with at least four second grooves.

8. A hinge assembly according to claim 7, wherein the adjacent second protrusions and the adjacent second grooves are spaced at 90 degrees angles with respect to each other along the first counter surfaces.

9. A hinge assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 8, wherein an inner surface of the first locking part around the first through hole and an outer surface of the second locking part around the second through hole form second counter surfaces, wherein one of the second counter surfaces is provided with at least one third protrusion and the other of the second counter surfaces is provided with at least two fifth grooves formed to conform to the shape and a position of the third protrusion, whereby the position of first protective mask with respect to the helmet part can be locked in the direction of rotation about the axial direction of the hinge pin in each position, where the third protrusion is received in one of the fifth grooves.

10. A hinge assembly according to claim 9, wherein one of the second counter surfaces is provided with at least two third protrusions and the other of the second counter surfaces is provided with at least three fifth grooves.11 . A hinge assembly according to any one of claims 6 - 10, wherein the second grooves have a first length in a radial direction of the first counter surface, on which the second grooves and third grooves are provided, the third grooves have a second length in the radial direction of the first counter surface, wherein the first length is different from the second length, the second protrusion(s) within one half, a first half, of one of the first counter surfaces is / are provided at a different distance, a first distance, from the longitudinal axis of the axial part of the hinge pin than the second protrusion(s) within the other half, the second half, of the first counter surface, provided at a second distance from the longitudinal axis, the first length and the position of the second grooves is configured to enable receivingeach one of the second protrusions in each one of the second grooves but only a half of the third grooves, whereby the second protrusions may be received in the second grooves in a number of mutual positions of the second protective mask and the helmet part, which is equal to the number of second grooves on the first counter surface, and the second protrusions may be received in the third grooves in one mutual position of the second protective mask and the helmet part.

12. A hinge assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the adjacent third grooves are spaced at an angle in the range of 60 to 120 degrees angles with respect to each other along the first counter surfaces.

13. A hinge assembly according to claim 12, wherein the adjacent third grooves are spaced at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to each other along the first counter surfaces.

14. A hinge assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 13, wherein the hinge assembly comprises similar structures provided at both sides of the helmet part, whereby the first protective mask and the second protective mask can be attached to the helmet part in a similar, although mirrored, manner on both sides of the helmet part.

15. A helmet for welding comprising: a helmet part for fitting the helmet to an end user’s head, a first protective mask, a second protective mask, and a hinge assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 14.

16. A helmet according to claim 15 comprising an adjustment assembly for adjusting the position of the helmet with respect to a head of the end user, wherein the adjustment assembly comprises two straps attached to opposite corners inside the helmet part by fastening elements and arranged to cross each other at least once along the longitudinal centerline of the helmet part, wherein each fastening element is mounted to the helmet part in a rotatable manner, and comprises a locking element on the outside of the fastening element to engage at each time with one height adjustment groove provided on the inside of the helmet part, when the fastening element in rotated in relation to the helmet part, and a curved slot through which an end of the strap is attached to the fastening element,whereby the height and angle of the helmet can be adjusted by rotating the front and back fastening elements.

17. A helmet according to claim 16, wherein each strap is further attached to the inside of the helmet by at least one support element provided on a side of the helmet between the corners, wherein the support element comprises a slot, through which the strap can slide freely, whereby the strap may extend from a fastening element at one corner of the helmet through the at least one support element and finally to another fastening element.

18. A helmet according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the adjustment assembly further comprises two adjustment elements provided on opposite sides of the helmet part each having a front end and a back end, a pin provided on the inside of at least some fastening elements, the front end of each adjustment element is connected to a front band of the helmet and a distance adjustment slot formed of a line of partly overlapping round holes configured to receive, in each case, the pin of one of the fastening elements provided at the front of the helmet part to provide a step-wise adjustment of the distance of the front band from the front end of the helmet part, wherein the back end of each adjustment element is branched to a first branch fastening the adjustment element to a back band of the helmet and a second branch provided with a smooth slot configured to receive, in each case, the pin of one of the fastening elements provided at the back of the helmet part to provide a stepless adjustment of the mutual position of the second branch and the respective fastening element depending on a size adjustment of the helmet, and wherein the distance between the front end of the helmet and the front band can be adjusted by moving the respective pin in the distance adjustment slot.

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