Apparatus for attaching device for helmet

Abstract

[Problem] To enable easy mounting and supporting of devices such as a lighting device, and to ensure a reliable fixing of the device to a helmet so that the device does not readily fall off due to the movement of the head associated with body motions. [Solution] In one of the front and rear portions of a helmet body 1, a support belt 20 that supports a device T is disposed extending between base portions 2, provided on the left and right outer lateral surfaces of the helmet body 1, through clips 10 engaged with the base portions 2, whereby the device T is attached to the helmet. The base portions 2 have openings laterally of the helmet body 1, with a locking portion 3 formed at the opening edge. The clips 10 include a hook portion 12 that pivotally engages the clips 10 themselves with the base portion 2, and a linking portion 13 for linking the support belt 20. The clips 10 are pivotable with the hook portion 12 engaged with the locking portion 3 serving as a fulcrum. A stopper 14 that meshes with an engaging portion 4 provided on the outer surface of the base portion 2 is provided on the inside surface of the linking portion 13.

Description

Helmet equipment mounting device

[0001] The present invention relates to a helmet equipment mounting device that allows electronic and electrical equipment such as lighting fixtures, cameras, and communication devices to be easily attached to a helmet and that can be securely fixed in place without falling off even when the head moves in conjunction with physical movements.

[0002] It has been a requirement to wear a helmet or similar equipment to protect the body, especially the head, when performing various tasks at construction sites, disaster sites, etc. Furthermore, when used at night or in dark places, for example, lighting devices are often attached to the helmet to illuminate the area ahead and improve work efficiency.

[0003] Proposals for attaching lighting or other devices to helmets include, for example, a flashlight attachment band as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a helmet capable of attaching auxiliary devices as disclosed in Patent Document 2, and a helmet exterior member holder as disclosed in Patent Document 3. The band in Patent Document 1 is configured to surround the helmet's periphery and has a suitable number of fastening holes for detachably attaching a flashlight. The helmet in Patent Document 2 is configured such that an upper hook attached to the string of the light is fitted into a lower hook provided on the helmet body. The holder in Patent Document 3 has a band inserted and fixed between holders located on the left and right edges of the helmet, and an exterior member such as an LED lamp is supported on the band.

[0004] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 7-33944 Utility Model Registration No. 3113718 Patent No. 7054894

[0005] However, the band proposed in Patent Document 1 merely surrounds the helmet's outer periphery, so if it slips around the helmet's outer periphery and slips toward the narrower top, it can fall off the helmet. Therefore, a separate fastener is required to secure the band itself around the lower part of the helmet. Furthermore, in the helmet proposed in Patent Document 2, even if the helmet body is provided with through-holes through which mounting screws can be inserted to secure the hook lower part to the helmet itself, drilling through-holes in the helmet body, which is made of a robust material, is extremely difficult. Furthermore, the hook upper part must be attached to the light string, which is a tedious process.

[0006] Furthermore, with the holder of Patent Document 3, the holder needs to be firmly fixed to the edge of the helmet, and in order to insert and fix the band to the holder, the band needs to be inserted into the holder and locked, and the work of inserting the band into the holder and locking it is also troublesome.

[0007] The present invention was created in consideration of the various circumstances that existed in the past as described above, and aims to provide an equipment mounting device for a helmet that allows various equipment to be attached to a helmet simply and securely, and that allows various equipment to be used stably and safely while wearing the helmet.

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an equipment attaching device for a helmet in which a support belt (20) that supports equipment T is hung between base portions (2) provided on the left and right outer surfaces of a helmet main body (1) via a clip (10) that engages with the base portions (2), and the equipment T is attached to the helmet, the base portions (2, 32) having locking portions (3, 33) provided so as to receive a force opposite to a force applied in the supporting direction of the equipment T, and the clip (10) having a hook portion (12) that locks with the locking portions (3, 33) and a connecting portion (13) that connects the support belt (20). The base portions (2, 32) are open toward the side of the helmet main body (1) and have locking portions (3) formed on the edge of the opening, and the hook portion (12) of the clip (10) can be configured to be swingably locked to the locking portions (3, 33) of the base portions (2). The base portion (2) is formed in a recessed shape and can be configured to be provided in at least either the front part of the helmet main body (1) or the rear part of the helmet main body (1). The clip 10 can be configured by connecting a hook portion 12 that engages and locks with the locking portion 3 of the base portion 2 and a connecting portion 13 that connects the support belt 20 to a clip main body 11 that is placed on the edge of the opening of the base portion 2. A stopper 14 that engages with an engaging portion 4 provided on the outer surface of the base portion 2 can be provided on the inner surface of the connecting portion 13. The base portion 32 can be configured with locking portions 3, 33 that are provided to receive a force opposite to a force applied in the supporting direction of the instrument T, and engaging portions 4, 34 that protrude from positions behind the locking portions 3, 33 with respect to the supporting direction of the instrument T, and the clip 10 can be configured with the hook portion 12 that engages with the locking portions 3, 33, the stopper 14 that engages with the engaging portions 4, 34, and the connecting portion 13 that connects the support belt 20. The locking portion 33 and the engaging portion 34 of the base portion 32 are integrally formed with their backs joined together to form a cross section that is roughly an inverted trapezoid, and the hook portion 12 and the stopper 14 of the clip 10 can be configured to be forcibly fitted together so as to cover the locking portion 33 and the engaging portion 34. The hook portion 12 of the clip 10 is swingably locked to the locking portions 3, 33, and the stopper 14 can be swingably engaged with the engaging portions 4, 34 by swinging the clip 10 itself.The base portion 32 is a band-shaped bulge extending along the front-to-rear direction on the left and right sides of the helmet body 1, and can be configured by providing a locking portion 33 and an engaging portion 34 on at least one of the front and rear portions.

[0009] In the helmet equipment attaching device according to the present invention configured as described above, when various types of equipment T are attached and supported to the helmet main body 1, the support belt 20 supporting the equipment T is engaged with the clip 10 provided at the end of this support belt 20, which engages with the base portions 2, 32 of the helmet main body 1, thereby attaching and supporting the equipment T. The base portions 2, 32 are recessed, which makes head protection by the helmet main body 1 safer, and allows various types of equipment T to be supported on the front or rear surface of the helmet main body 1, or even on both the front and rear surfaces, by selecting either the front or rear portion of the helmet main body 1. The engagement of the clip 10 with the base portions 2, 32 is arranged so that the locking portions 3, 33 of the base portions 2, 32 can withstand a force opposite to the force applied in the supporting direction of the equipment T, thereby ensuring support by the clip 10 against the load of the equipment T along the supporting direction and other forces. Furthermore, the hook portion 12 of the clip 10 is engaged with the engaging portions 3, 33 of the base portions 2, 32, and by engaging the hook portion 12, the clip 10 is swung around the hook portion 12 as a fulcrum, and by pushing the clip 10 toward the helmet main body 1, the stopper 14 is engaged with the engaging portions 4, 34, and the clip 10 is fixed to the base portion 2. The engaging portions 33 and the engaging portions 34 are integrally formed with an inverted trapezoidal cross section and are arranged front to back in the support direction, so that the clip 10 having the hook portion 12 that engages with the engaging portion 33 and the stopper 14 that engages with the engaging portion 34 fits over the engaging portions 33 and 34, thereby connecting the clip 10 to the base portion 2 more firmly. The connecting portion 13 of the clip 10 connects the support belt 20, and by engaging each end of the support belt 20 with the base portion 2 of the clip 10, the support belt 20 can be hung on the front and rear of the helmet main body 1 between the base portions 2, 32 arranged on the front and rear sides of the helmet main body 1, and various instruments T supported by the support belt 20 can be arranged on the front and rear of the helmet main body 1.

[0010] Since the present invention is configured as described above, various types of equipment T, such as lighting fixtures, can be easily and reliably positioned and supported on the front of the helmet main body 1 by the support belt 20 that is hung between the left and right base portions 2, 32 of the helmet main body 1, and the equipment T can be used stably and safely when wearing the helmet.

[0011] That is, in the present invention, the clip is engaged with the base portions 2 provided on the left and right sides of the helmet main body 1 and the support belt 20 is hung over to attach the equipment T, and the base portions 2, 32 are provided with locking portions 3, 33 provided so as to receive a force opposite to the force applied in the supporting direction of the equipment T, and the clip 10 is provided with a hook portion 12 that locks with the locking portions 3, 33 and a connecting portion 13 that connects the support belt 20. This makes it possible to attach and detach the clip 10 by swinging it relative to the base portions 2, 32, to fasten the support belt 20 over the front and rear of the helmet main body 1 between the clips 10, and to reliably support the equipment T on the support belt 20, etc.

[0012] Furthermore, when the hook portion 12 of the clip 10 engages with the engaging portions 3, 33 that are provided so as to receive a force opposite to the force applied in the support direction of the equipment T attached to the front and rear of the helmet main body 1, the base portions 2, 32 receive and reliably support the force due to the weight of the equipment T. Furthermore, the clip 10 is swung around the hook portion 12 as a fulcrum, and the swinging operation is easy as it is oriented along the front-to-rear direction of the helmet main body 1, so it will not come off from the helmet main body 1.

[0013] The base portions 2, 32 are recessed so that they completely cover the head of the person wearing the helmet body 1, thereby ensuring thorough protection.

[0014] The base 2 is provided on at least one of the front and rear parts of the helmet body 1, so that the support belt 20 can be positioned on either the front or rear surface of the helmet body 1 to support the instruments T. Therefore, when the base 2 is provided on the front and rear parts of the helmet body 1, the front or rear surface of the helmet body 1 can be selected for support depending on the instruments T, and further, usability can be improved by supporting, for example, a lighting device on the front surface and its power source on the rear surface.

[0015] When the clip 10 engaged with the base portions 2, 32 is swung toward the helmet body 1 using the hook portion 12 as a fulcrum, the stopper 14 on the inner surface of the connecting portion 13 of the clip 10 engages with the engaging portion 4 provided on the outer surface of the base portion 2 or with the engaging portion 34 formed on the back of the locking portion 33, and the hook portion 12 and the stopper 14 firmly fix the clip 10 to the base portion 2, preventing it from coming off due to external impact or other reasons, and maintaining a stable attachment state.

[0016] The base portion 32, which bulges out in a band shape along the front-to-rear direction on the left and right sides of the helmet main body 1, has locking portions 33 and engaging portions 34 on at least one of the front and rear portions, so that equipment T can be supported on either the front or the rear, the sides of the helmet main body 1 can be strengthened, and the locking portions 33 and engaging portions 34 can be neatly arranged.

[0017] The reference numerals in the above sections of the invention and the effects of the invention are used to facilitate reference to the components shown in the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the structure, shape, etc. shown by the reference numerals in the drawings and the description.

[0018] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the same in an attached and supported state. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the same when removed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same when a lighting device is attached. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the same in a second embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the same in a third embodiment, where (a) is a view from the front of the helmet body and (b) is a view from the rear of the helmet body. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of the same. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the same in an attached and supported state, where (a) is a view from the front of the base and (b) is a view from the rear of the base.

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 4 show a first embodiment, in which reference numeral 1 denotes a helmet body. This helmet body 1 is provided with a shock absorber (not shown) along its inner circumferential side so that it can softly contact the head surface when worn, and is also provided with ventilation holes and other features as needed. Note that the helmet body 1 of the present invention is not limited to those made of a rigid material, and any helmet that can be worn on the head can be similarly configured and used, and therefore includes helmets other than general helmets.

[0020] On the left and right sides of this helmet body 1, for example on the left and right parts of the front part, there are provided base parts 2 that connect and support support belts 20, which will be described later, that are hung across the front of the helmet body 1. These base parts 2 are formed on the left and right sides of the helmet body 1, and in a plan view, they have a roughly triangular shape that widens on the sides of the helmet body 1 and protrude from the helmet body 1, with an opening formed in the wide part, and a locking part 3 is provided on the inner edge of the opening facing the helmet body 1 side so as to receive a force that is opposite to the force applied in the supporting direction of the equipment T.

[0021] In order for the engaging portion 3 to withstand a force that is opposite to the force applied in the supporting direction of the instrument T, it is necessary to configure it so that it can withstand a force that is generated opposite to the force applied in the supporting direction of the instrument T, and it is also necessary to configure it so that it protrudes in a direction that is, so to speak, opposite to the supporting direction of the instrument T.

[0022] The locking portion 3 is provided, for example, in a bent shape from the edge of the opening, and forms a gap between the side surface of the helmet body 1 and the locking portion 3 large enough to forcibly insert a hook portion 12 of a clip 10, which will be described later. Although not shown in the drawings, the locking portion 3 is not limited to being formed in a convex shape, and may be formed in a concave shape, and there is no particular limitation on its shape as long as it can reliably lock with the clip 10. The same applies to the third embodiment, which will be described later.

[0023] The supporting direction of the equipment T is mainly toward the rear or forward when the equipment T is supported on the front or rear surface of the helmet body 1, but if necessary, the supporting direction of the equipment T will be the corresponding direction when it is supported on the left or right side.

[0024] The base portion 2 may be configured as a recess that does not communicate with the interior of the helmet main body 1, or may be configured to communicate with it; however, by configuring it not to communicate with the interior of the helmet main body 1, safety during use can be ensured.

[0025] 1 and 4, when the base 2 is provided at the front of the helmet body 1 and arranged on the left and right sides thereof, the locking portions 3 at the openings thereof project rearward, allowing the support belt 20 to be placed on the front surface of the helmet body 1 and the equipment T to be supported on the front surface of the helmet body 1. Alternatively, as in the second embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the base 2 may be provided at the rear of the helmet body 1 and arranged on the left and right sides thereof, and the locking portions 3 at the openings thereof project forward, allowing the support belt 20 to be placed on the rear surface of the helmet body 1 and the equipment T to be supported on the rear surface of the helmet body 1.

[0026] In other words, the base portion 2 is provided on at least one of the front and rear portions of the helmet main body 1, and by being arranged on the front and rear portions of the helmet main body 1, the support position can be selected depending on the equipment T, thereby improving usability.

[0027] An engaging portion 4, which is, for example, a vertically elongated rib-like portion, is provided on the outer surface of the opening of the base portion 2 along the opening, and this engaging portion 4 is located rearward of the locking portion 3 in the support direction of the instrument T.

[0028] The left and right base portions 2 are engaged with left and right clips 10 that support a support belt 20 that supports predetermined instruments T by hanging it between the base portions 2. The clip 10 has a clip body 11 that is placed on the edge of the opening of the base portion 2, and a hook portion 12 that engages and locks with the locking portion 3 of the base portion 2, and also has a connecting portion 13 that is connected to the hook portion 12 and faces the hook portion 12 so as to connect the support belt 20.

[0029] The clip body 11 is formed in a shallow groove shape so as to cover the inner and outer surfaces of the opening edge of the base 2, but as shown in the figure, it is formed integrally with the hook portion 12 which has a hook shape.

[0030] Hook portion 12 is firmly and forcibly engaged with locking portion 3 provided on the inner edge of the opening of base portion 2. The inner surface of locking portion 3 is arc-shaped when viewed from above, and hook portion 12 itself is also arc-shaped when viewed from above, so that when hook portion 12 is inserted into base portion 2, locking portion 3 and hook portion 12 engage snugly at their respective contact surfaces, allowing clip 10 itself to swing with hook portion 12 as a fulcrum.

[0031] In the illustrated example, the connecting portion 13 is formed in a substantially C-shape when viewed from the front, so that it can be connected and fixed in either form, whether the end of the support belt 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape, or simply formed in a band shape so that the end of the support belt 20 is connected by being folded back. Note that the shape of this connecting portion 13 is not particularly limited as long as it can connect the support belt 20.

[0032] A protruding stopper 14 is provided on the inner surface of the connecting portion 13, which engages with the engaging portion 4 provided on the outer surface of the base portion 2. When the clip 10 itself is swung toward the base portion 2 with the hook portion 12 as a fulcrum, the stopper 14 engages with the engaging portion 4, and together with the hook portion 12 being inserted and locked into the base portion 2, it prevents the clip 10 itself from coming off the base portion 2.

[0033] Therefore, in the base portion 2, the length from its opening edge surface to the rear edge surface of the engaging portion 4 is not longer than the length from the inner surface of the clip body 11 to the rear edge surface of the stopper 14 in the clip 10. The rear edge surfaces of the engaging portion 4 and the stopper 14 are designed to tightly engage with each other. If necessary, for example, a recessed / protruding engaging means can be formed.

[0034] The support belt 20 is formed in a belt shape of a predetermined width. The support belt 20 supports the equipment T by being inserted through belt fixing portions provided on various equipment T, such as lighting equipment, cameras, or other devices, for example, through left and right slits formed on the back of the equipment T. The ends of the support belt 20 are connected to the connecting portions 13 of the clip 10, and the support belt 20 itself is set to a length that maintains tension when the clip 10 is engaged with the left and right base portions 2 of the helmet main body 1. Although not shown, an adjustment portion for adjusting the length of the support belt 20 itself may also be provided.

[0035] Next, an example of how to use this will be explained. For example, a piece of equipment T, such as a lighting fixture, to be supported on the helmet main body 1 is attached to the support belt 20, and the clip 10 connected to the end of the support belt 20 is forcibly engaged with the base part 2 of the helmet main body 1. Alternatively, the predetermined equipment T is attached to the support belt 20 which is hung over the base part 2 via the clip 10.

[0036] 2 and 3, to engage the clip 10 with the base 2, the hook portion 12 of the clip 10 is engaged with the engaging portion 3 of the base 2 and the clip is pushed into the base 2, and the clip 10 is swung around the hook portion 12 as a fulcrum, so that the connecting portion 13 is pressed against the helmet main body 1. By pressing the clip 10 against the hook portion 12, the stopper 14 of the connecting portion 13 is forcibly engaged with the engaging portion 4 of the base 2. This engagement allows the clip 10 to be firmly engaged with the base 2, and the support belt 20 allows the equipment T to be placed and set on the front of the helmet main body 1, etc.

[0037] To remove the clip 10, the connecting portion 13 of the clip 10 is swung up from the surface of the helmet body 1 using the hook portion 12 as a fulcrum, and the hook portion 12 is removed from the base portion 2.

[0038] 6 to 8 show a third embodiment. As shown in the figures, a stepped base 32 bulges out in a band-like shape along the front-to-rear direction on the left and right sides of the helmet body 1. The base 32 has side openings at the front and rear ends of the recesses 31. The recesses 31 have side openings and are provided on the outer side of the opening edges of the base 32. The recesses 31 are provided to receive a force counter to the force applied in the supporting direction of the equipment T. Furthermore, an engaging portion 34 is formed on the back, behind the engaging portion 33.

[0039] As shown in the figure, the recesses 31 themselves are located at the front and rear ends of the bulging portion of the base portion 32 and are recessed vertically inward toward the inside of the helmet body 1, so that they have a generally trapezoidal cross section, with their openings facing the sides of the helmet body 1. The locking portions 33 are formed on the outside of the openings of these recesses 31, protruding toward the rear of the helmet body 1 in the recesses 31 located at the front of the helmet body 1, and protruding toward the front of the helmet body 1 in the recesses 31 located at the rear of the helmet body 1.

[0040] The engaging portion 34, which is located on the back of the locking portion 33, is formed on the outside of the edge surface of the base portion 32, protruding toward the front of the helmet body 1 at the front part of the helmet body 1, and protruding toward the rear of the helmet body 1 at the rear part of the helmet body 1, as shown in Figure 8.

[0041] In this way, the locking portion 33 and the engaging portion 34 are joined at the back of each other to form an integrated structure, and in cross section, they have an inverted trapezoidal shape that is wide on the outer side of the helmet body 1 and narrow on the inner side.

[0042] On the other hand, the clip 10 connected to the support belt 20 is configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the clip body 11, which is arranged on the edge of the opening of the base portion 32, is provided with a hook portion 12 that engages with the locking portion 33 of the base portion 32 and a stopper 14 that engages with the engagement portion 34, and is also provided with a connecting portion 13 that connects the support belt 20.

[0043] In this third embodiment, as shown in the figure, the hook portion 12 fits snugly into the recess 31 and engages with the locking portion 33, and similarly the stopper 14 engages with the engaging portion 34, with the backs of the hook portion 12 and the stopper 14 aligned with each other, and the width of the opening edge side is narrower than the width of the inner edge side, so that they fit tightly and almost forcibly into the locking portion 33 and the engaging portion 34.

[0044] In addition, the clip 10 has an operating portion 15 provided on the outer surface of the clip 10 itself in the form of a protrusion slightly inclined toward the connecting portion 13, making it easy to push in with fingers, etc., when fitting the hook portion 12 into the locking portion 33 and the stopper 14 into the engaging portion 34 in an interlocking manner, and conversely, to remove them by pulling them off.

[0045] The use of this third embodiment is similar to that of the first and second embodiments described above, and by enveloping and engaging the hook portion 12 and stopper 14 with the locking portion 33 and engagement portion 34 on the front and rear sides of the base portion 32, respectively, the connection can be made even stronger and more secure.

[0046] In addition, the equipment T is not limited to lighting equipment, but can also be cameras, communication devices, power sources, etc., and various types of equipment T can be selected as needed. For example, the power source for the equipment T supported on the front side of the helmet body 1 can be supported on the rear side of the helmet body 1, and the manner of use can also be selected.

[0047] T...Devices 1...Helmet body 2...Base part 3...Latching part 4...Engagement part 10...Clip 11...Clip body 12...Hook part 13...Connecting part 14...Stopper 15...Operation part 20...Support belt 31...Recess 32...Base part 33...Latching part 34...Engagement part

Claims

1. A helmet equipment mounting device in which a support belt for supporting equipment is hung between base parts provided on the left and right outer sides of the helmet body via a clip that engages with the base part to attach the equipment to the helmet, wherein the base part has a locking part provided to receive a force opposite to the force applied in the supporting direction of the equipment, and the clip has a hook part that locks with the locking part and a connecting part that connects the support belt.

2. A helmet equipment mounting device as described in claim 1, in which the base portion is open toward the side of the helmet body, a locking portion is formed on the edge of the opening, and the hook portion of the clip is adapted to be locked to the locking portion of the base portion so as to be freely swingable.

3. An equipment mounting device for a helmet as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the base portion is formed in a recess and provided at least either at the front portion of the helmet body or at the rear portion of the helmet body.

4. A helmet equipment mounting device as described in claim 1, wherein the clip comprises a clip body arranged on the edge of the opening of the base, a hook portion which engages with and engages with the locking portion of the base, and a connecting portion which connects the support belt.

5. A helmet equipment mounting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting part has on its inner surface a stopper which engages with an engagement part provided on the outer surface of the base part.

6. A helmet equipment mounting device as described in claim 1, wherein the base portion has a locking portion arranged to receive a force opposite to the force applied in the supporting direction of the equipment, and an engaging portion protruding from a position rearward of the locking portion in the supporting direction of the equipment, and the clip has a hook portion that locks onto the locking portion, a stopper that engages with the engaging portion, and a connecting portion that connects the support belt.

7. A helmet equipment mounting device as described in claim 6, in which the locking portion and the engagement portion of the base are integrally formed with their backs joined together to form a cross section that is approximately an inverted trapezoid, and the hook portion and the stopper of the clip are forcibly fitted together so as to cover the locking portion and the engagement portion.

8. A device for fastening equipment to a helmet as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the hook portion of the clip is pivotally engaged with the engaging portion, and the stopper is pivotally engaged with the engaging portion by pivoting the clip itself.

9. A helmet equipment mounting device as claimed in claim 1 or 6, wherein the base portion is a band-shaped bulge extending along the front-to-rear direction on the left and right sides of the helmet body, and a locking portion or engagement portion is provided on at least one of the front and rear portions.

Images