Protective helmet with adjustment mechanism

Abstract

A protective helmet has: a front shell including two side portions spaced apart by an elongated opening; a rear shell, the side portions of the front shell movable relative to the rear shell and relative to each other to adjust a size of the protective helmet; and an adjustment mechanism configured to control movement of the front shell and the rear shell relative to one another to adjust a size of the protective helmet, the adjustment mechanism including: two connecting members each engaged to a respective one of the side portions, and a blocking member mounted to the rear shell and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the blocking member preventing relative movement of the two connecting members in the locked position and permitting relative movement in the unlocked position.

Description

PROTECTIVE HELMET WITH ADJUSTMENT MECHANISMCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority benefit from United States patent application no. 63 / 607151 filed on December 7, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The application relates generally to protective helmets and, more particularly, to adjustable protective helmets.BACKGROUND

[0003] Helmets for various activities, including sporting activities and work in dangerous environments, often require a shell or protective surface. The range of shapes and sizes of a wearer's head may require a helmet to be made larger or smaller to fit. Furthermore, adjustments may be required depending on the activity, environmental conditions, appearance, or other factors. In particular, the wearer of a helmet may want to have a tighter or looser fit, depending on circumstances, or may alternatively want to modify the fit, for example during play, or depending on the season, etc.SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect, there is provided a protective helmet comprising: a front shell configured to cover a front and sides of a head of a wearer, the front shell including two side portions spaced apart by an elongated opening extending from a top of the front shell to a rear of the front shell; a rear shell configured to cover the rear of the head, the rear shell having a top portion received within the elongated opening, the side portions of the front shell movable relative to the rear shell and relative to each other to adjust a size of the protective helmet; and an adjustment mechanism configured to control movement of the front shell and the rear shell relative to one another to adjust a size of the protective helmet, the adjustment mechanism including: two connecting members each engaged to a respective one of the side portions of the front shell, and a blocking member mounted to the rear shell and movable in translation relative to the rear shell between a locked position and an unlocked position, the blocking member preventing relative movement of the two connecting members and the side portions in the locked position, the blocking member permitting relative movement of the two connecting members and the side portions in theunlocked position, wherein in response to the blocking member being in the unlocked position the side portions are movable one relative to the other to adjust the size of the protective helmet by a translation of the two connecting members relative to the blocking member.

[0005] The protective helmet described above may include any of the following features, in any combinations.

[0006] In some embodiments, the locked position and the unlocked position of the blocking member are vertically offset from one another.

[0007] In some embodiments, the two connecting members define first teeth and the blocking member define second teeth, the first teeth disengaged from the second teeth in the unlocked position of the blocking member, the first teeth interlocked with the second teeth in the locked position of the blocking member.

[0008] In some embodiments, the blocking member defines two rows of the second teeth spaced apart by a central channel, the two connecting members overlapping one another within the central channel.

[0009] In some embodiments, grooves are defined between the first teeth, the grooves extending from first faces of the two connecting members towards second faces opposed to the first faces, the second faces being devoid of the grooves.

[0010] In some embodiments, the blocking member includes two prongs defining hooks at distal ends of the two prongs, the two prongs receivable within an aperture defined through the rear shell.

[0011] In some embodiments, the aperture extends along a height aperture being greater than a prong height of the two prongs to permit a sliding motion of the blocking member along a vertical direction, the vertical direction extending from a top to a bottom of the protective helmet.

[0012] In some embodiments, the rear shell remains secured to the front shell at a connection point on the top of the front shell while the two side portions move relative to one another to adjust the size the protective helmet.

[0013] In some embodiments, the rear shell and the front shell overlap one another at a rear of the protective helmet.

[0014] In some embodiments, a dimension of the overlap varies with movements of the two side portions of the front shell.

[0015] In some embodiments, the dimension of the overlap varies inversely with the size of the protective helmet.

[0016] In another aspect, there is provided a protective helmet comprising: a front shell configured to cover a front a head of a wearer; a rear shell configured to cover a rear of the head, the front shell and the rear shell being movable one relative to the other to adjust a size of the protective helmet; and an adjustment mechanism configured to control movement of the front shell and the rear shell relative to one another, the adjustment mechanism including: a connecting member engaged to one of the front shell and the rear shell, and a blocking member mounted to the other of the front shell and the rear shell, the blocking member being slidable in translation relative to the other of the front shell and the rear shell between a locked position and an unlocked position, the blocking member preventing relative movement of the front shell and the rear shell in the locked position, the front shell and the rear shell being movable one relative to the other to adjust the size of the protective helmet by a translation of the connecting member relative to the blocking member in the unlocked position of the blocking member.

[0017] The protective helmet described above may include any of the following features, in any combinations.

[0018] In some embodiments, the locked position and the unlocked position of the blocking member are vertically offset from one another.

[0019] In some embodiments, the connecting member defines first teeth and the blocking member defines second teeth, the first teeth disengaged from the second teeth in the unlocked position of the blocking member, the first teeth interlocked with the second teeth in the locked position of the blocking member.

[0020] In some embodiments, the blocking member defines two rows of the second teeth spaced apart by a central channel, the two connecting members overlapping one another within the central channel.

[0021] In some embodiments, grooves are defined between the first teeth, the grooves extending from first faces of the connecting member towards second faces opposed to the first faces, the second faces being devoid of the grooves.

[0022] In some embodiments, the blocking member includes two prongs defining hooks at distal ends of the two prongs, the two prongs receivable within an aperture defined through the rear shell.

[0023] In some embodiments, the aperture extends along a height aperture being greater than a prong height of the two prongs to permit a sliding motion of the blocking member along a vertical direction, the vertical direction extending from a top to a bottom of the protective helmet.

[0024] In some embodiments, the rear shell and the front shell overlap one another at a rear of the protective helmet.

[0025] In yet another aspect, there is provided a protective helmet comprising: an outer shell configured to surround a head of a wearer, the outer shell defining shell openings fluidly connecting a head-receiving volume of the helmet to an environment outside the head-receiving volume; and an inner padding affixed to an inner side of the outer shell, the inner padding defining cooling channels communicating with the shell openings of the outer shell, the cooling channels extending along an inner surface of the inner padding around the head of the wearer, the cooling channels extending substantially uninterrupted from one or more inlets defined by a first subset of the shell openings to one or more outlets defined by a second subset of the shell openings, the one or more outlets located rearward of the one or more inlets.

[0026] The protective helmet described above may include any of the following features, in any combinations.

[0027] In some embodiments, the inner padding includes solid padding members made of an elastomeric material, the cooling channels defined by grooves of the solid padding members and / or by spaces between adjacent solid padding members.

[0028] In some embodiments, the shell openings include one or more front opening at a front portion of the outer shell, front side openings at side portions of the outer shell, and rear side openings at a rear portion of the outer shell, the cooling channels include active cooling channels extending horizontally and fluidly connecting the one or more front opening and the side openings to the rear openings.

[0029] In some embodiments, the shell opening further include one or more top openings at a top portion of the outer shell, the cooling channels further including passive cooling channels extending generally vertically and fluidly connected to the one or more top openings.

[0030] In one aspect, there is provided a protective helmet comprising: a front shell configured to cover a front and sides of a head of a wearer, the front shell including two side portions spaced apart by an elongated opening extending from a top of the front shell to a rear of the front shell; a rear shell configured to cover the rear of the head, the rear shell having a top portion received within the elongated opening, the side portions of the front shell movable relative to the rear shell and relative to each other to adjust a size of the protective helmet; and an adjustment mechanism configured to control movement of the front shell and the rear shell relative to one anotherto adjust a size of the protective helmet, the adjustment mechanism including: two connecting members each engaged to a respective one of the side portions of the front shell, and an actuator mounted to the rear shell and defining a blocking member movable in translation relative to the rear shell between a locked position and an unlocked position, the blocking member preventing relative movement of the two connecting members and the side portions in the locked position, the blocking member permitting relative movement of the two connecting members and the side portions in the unlocked position, wherein in response to the blocking member being in the unlocked position the side portions are movable one relative to the other to adjust the size of the protective helmet by a translation of the two connecting members relative to the blocking member.

[0031] In another aspect, there is provided a protective helmet comprising: a front shell configured to cover a front a head of a wearer; a rear shell configured to cover a rear of the head, the front shell and the rear shell movable one relative to the other to adjust a size of the protective helmet; and an adjustment mechanism configured to control movement of the front shell and the rear shell relative to one another, the adjustment mechanism including: a connecting member engaged to one of the front shell and the rear shell, and an actuator defining a blocking member that is mounted to the other of the front shell and the rear shell, the blocking member being slidable in translation relative to the other of the front shell and the rear shell between a locked position and an unlocked position, the blocking member preventing relative movement of the front shell and the rear shell in the locked position, the front shell and the rear shell being movable one relative to the other to adjust the size of the helmet by a translation of the connecting member relative to the blocking member in the unlocked position of the blocking member.

[0032] The protective helmets as defined above and described elsewhere herein may also include any one or more of the following features, in whole or in part, and in any combination.

[0033] In some embodiments, the locked position and the unlocked position of the blocking member are vertically offset from one another.

[0034] In some embodiments, the two connecting members define first teeth and the blocking member define second teeth, the first teeth disengaged from the second teeth in the unlocked position of the blocking member, the first teeth interlocked with the second teeth in the locked position of the blocking member.

[0035] In some embodiments, the blocking member defines two rows of the second teeth spaced apart by a central channel, the two connecting members overlapping one another within the central channel.

[0036] In some embodiments, grooves are defined between the first teeth, the grooves extending from first faces of the two connecting members towards second faces opposed to the first faces, the second faces being devoid of the grooves.

[0037] In some embodiments, the blocking member includes two prongs defining hooks at distal ends of the two prongs, the two prongs receivable within an aperture defined through the rear shell.

[0038] In some embodiments, the aperture extends along a height aperture being greater than a prong height of the two prongs to permit a sliding motion of the blocking member along a vertical direction, the vertical direction extending from a top to a bottom of the protective helmet.

[0039] In some embodiments, the rear shell remains secured to the front shell at a connection point on the top of the front shell while the two side portions move relative to one another to adjust the size the protective helmet.

[0040] In some embodiments, the rear shell and the front shell overlap one another at a rear of the protective helmet.

[0041] In some embodiments, a dimension of the overlap varies with movements of the two side portions of the front shell.

[0042] In some embodiments, the dimension of the overlap varies inversely with the size of the protective helmet.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Reference is now made to the accompanying figures in which:

[0044] Fig. 1 is a schematic three dimensional view of a head of a wearer;

[0045] Fig. 2 is is a schematic side view of the head of the wearer of Fig. 1 ;

[0046] Fig. 3 is a schematic three dimensional view of a sports helmet in accordance with one embodiment;

[0047] Fig. 4 is a top view of the sports helmet of Fig. 3 shown in a disassembled configuration;

[0048] Fig. 5 is a side three dimensional view of the sports helmet of Fig. 3 shown in the disassembled configuration;

[0049] Fig. 6 is a front three dimensional exploded view illustrating a rear shell and an adjustment mechanism of the sports helmet of Fig. 3;

[0050] Fig. 7 is a rear three dimensional exploded view illustrating the rear shell and the adjustment mechanism of Fig. 6;

[0051] Fig. 8 is a cutaway view of the sports helmet of Fig. 3 illustrating an assembly step;

[0052] Fig. 9 is an inner view of the sports helmet of Fig. 3 illustrating another assembly step;

[0053] Fig. 10 is a three dimensional view of connecting members of the adjustment mechanism of Fig. 6;

[0054] Fig. 11 is a three dimensional exploded view of a blocking member of the adjustment mechanism of Fig. 6;

[0055] Fig. 12 is a cutaway view illustrating the adjustment mechanism of Fig. 6;

[0056] Fig. 13 is a rear view of the helmet illustrating the adjustment mechanism in a locked position;

[0057] Fig. 14 is a rear view of the helmet illustrating the adjustment mechanism in an unlocked position;

[0058] Fig. 15 is a top three dimensional view of a hockey helmet in accordance with another embodiment;

[0059] Fig. 16 is a top front three dimensional view of a hockey helmet in accordance with yet another embodiment;

[0060] Fig. 17 is a top rear three dimensional view of the helmet of Fig. 16;

[0061] Fig. 18 is a cutaway view of the helmet of Fig. 16;

[0062] Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a rib of an outer shell of the helmet of Fig.16;

[0063] Fig. 20 is another cutaway view of the helmet of Fig. 16 with parts removed therefrom for illustration purpose;

[0064] Fig. 21 is another cutaway view of the helmet of Fig. 16 with parts removed therefrom for illustration purpose; and

[0065] Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a lattice structure used in the helmet of Fig. 16.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONAnatomy

[0066] Figs. 1 and 2 show a wearer's head comprising a front region FR, right and left side regions RS, LS, a rear region RR, and a top region TR. The front region FR includes a face F of the wearer, eyes E, a nose N and a mouth M of the wearer’ face F, a chin C, and a forehead FH. The right and left side regions RS, LS are located between the front region FR and the rear region RR of the head and include right and left temples and ears and right and left lateral parts of the head in right and left temporal bone areas of the head. The rear region RR has a rear upper part and an occipital region OR comprising an occipital protuberance in a parietal bone area and occipital bone area.Helmet

[0067] Referring to Fig. 3, a sport helmet in accordance with one embodiment is shown at 10. Variants, examples and preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow. More particularly, the figures show a sport helmet 10 (or simply helmet 10) forprotecting the wearer’s head in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the sport helmet 10 is a hockey helmet 10 for protecting the head of the wearerwho is a hockey player. However, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular type of sport helmet 10. For example, a sport helmet 10 constructed using principles described herein in respect of the sport helmet 10 may be used for protecting the head of a player of another type of contact sport in which there are significant impact forces on the player due to player-to-player and / or player-to-object contact (lacrosse or football for instance). It is also understood that the sport helmet 10 may be for protecting the head of a wearer involved in a sport other than a contact sport (e.g., bicycling, motorcycle, skiing, snowboarding, horseback riding or another equestrian activity, etc.).

[0068] The sport helmet 10 defines a cavity for receiving the wearer's head to protect the head when the sport helmet 10 is impacted (e.g., when the sport helmet 10 hits a board, ice or other playing surface or is struck by a puck, ball, a lacrosse or hockey stick, or when the player is receiving a hit (e.g., body check) by another player and the head of the player is hit directly or indirectly).

[0069] The sport helmet 10 has a longitudinal axis LA, a transversal axis TA and a vertical axis VA that respectively define a front-back direction, a left-right direction and a vertical direction of the sport helmet 10. The longitudinal axis LA may be seen as an axis that resides within an imaginary longitudinal plan that bisects the helmet 10 and that defines left and right sides on each side of the plane.

[0070] The sport helmet 10 has an (outer shell) 12 comprising a first or front shell 14 and a second or rear shell 16. The outer shell 12 at least partially encloses an inner padding (removed for clarity). The front shell 14 and the rear shell 16 are movably engaged to one another to allow a size of the helmet 10 to be adjusted as will be described below. The front shell 14 and the rear shell 16 may be made of a relatively rigid material, such as polyethylene, NYLON, polycarbonate materials, thermoplastics, or thermosetting resins or any other suitable material. The sport helmet 10 may also comprise ear loops and a chinstrap for securing the sport helmet 10 to the wearer's head. The sport helmet 10 may further comprise ear protectors for protecting the left and right ears of the wearer. The sport helmet 10 is herein an adjustable sport helmet 10 wherein the outer shell 12 and the inner padding are adjustable to adjust the fit of the sport helmet 10 on the wearer's head.

[0071] The front shell 14 includes a front portion 14A configured to cover the front of the head, including for example part of the forehead. The front shell 14 also includes a top portion 14B extending from the top of the front portion 14A and configured to cover the top of the head. In the embodiment shown, the top portion 14B extends over only a front part of the top of the head. It is understood that in other configurations, the top portion 14B may be differently sized and / or configured. For example, the top portion 14B may be defined as part of the front portion 14A without being distinct therefrom.

[0072] Referring now to Fig. 4, the front shell 14 further includes two side portions 14C extending rearwardly from a respective side of the front portion 14A and downwardly from the top portion 14B. The two side portions 14C are configured to each cover a respective side of the head. In the embodiment shown, each side portion 14C is configured to extend downwardly in front and behind the ear while leaving the ear uncovered. It is understood that in other configurations, the side portions 14C may be differently sized and / or configured; for example, the side portions 14C may cover the ears.

[0073] In the embodiment shown, the front shell 14 is substantially “U-shaped” when seen from above such that an elongated opening 14D is defined downwardly from the top portion 14B between the two side portions 14C. The rear shell 16 is configured to cover the rear of the head, and extends within and across the elongated opening 14D such as to cooperate with the front shell 14 to cover the head. In the embodiment shown, the rear shell 16 extends inwardly of the front shell 14, with the front shell 14 partly overlapping it. Alternately, the rear shell 16 may extend outwardly of the front shell 14 and partially overlap it.

[0074] The rear shell 16 has a top end including a forwardly projecting finger 16A complementary to a slot 14E defined by the top portion 14B of the front shell 14 to together define a retaining member. The rear shell 16 is thus engaged to the top portion 14B of the front shell 14 through engagement of the finger 16A in the slot 14E. In the embodiment shown, the engagement of the finger 16A in the slot 14E defines a fixed connection, and the material and thickness of the shells is selected such to provide sufficient flexibility to allow relative movements between the bottom edges of the front shell 14 and the rear shell 16 about their top connection, as will be further detailed below. Other types of connections may alternately be defined. For example, when more rigid materials are used, the connection between the top of the first and second shells may be a movable connection, such as for example a pivotable connection.

[0075] The front shell 14 and the rear shell 16 may be made of any type of adequate material, including but not limited to fiber reinforced materials, thermoplastics, and a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the shells are made of high density polyethylene (HDPE).

[0076] It will be appreciated that the principles of the present disclosures may be applicable to any adjustable helmet. For instance, as described in further detail below, instead of having the two side portions 14C movable relative to one another along the transversal axis TA to adjust the size, the front and rear shells may be slidable one relative to the other in a direction having a component in the longitudinal axis LA.

[0077] Referring now to Fig. 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the rear shell 16 defines two rear flaps 16B each overlapping a respective one of the two side portions 14C of the front shell 14. To assemble the outer shell 12, the rear shell 16 is moved relative to the front shell 14 until the finger 16A is overlapping the top portion 14B of the front shell 14 and in register with the slot 14E defined through the top portion 14B of the front shell 14. The rear shell 16 may the be pivoted about the transversal axis TA (Fig. 3) until the two rear flaps 16B are each located adjacent and overlapping a respective one of the two side portions 14C. In this embodiment, the two rear flaps 16B are located inwardly of the two side portions 14C. An overlap is thus defined between the front shell 14 and the rear shell 16 at a rear of the helmet 10. A dimension of the overlap varies with movements of the two side portions. A dimension of the overlap varies inversely with the size of the helmet. Put differently, the overlap is increased to decrease the size of the helmet 10.

[0078] At which point, the two rear flaps 16B may be secured to the two side portions 14C. In the embodiment shown, the two rear flaps 16B each defines an elongated slot 16S and the two side portions 14C of the front shell 14 each define an aperture 14F. Once assembled, the elongated slots 16S are in register with the aperture 14F and fasteners, such as a rivets or pins, are inserted therethrough. The fasteners are slidable within the elongated slots 16S to allow relative movement of the rear shell 16 and the front shell 14. It will be appreciated that the elongated slots may alternatively be defined by the front shell 14 and the aperture may be defined by the rear shell 16 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0079] Referring to Figs. 6-7, an adjustment mechanism 20 is used for securing the front shell 14 to the rear shell 16 and to permit an adjustment of a size of the helmet 10. The adjustment mechanism 20 is shown here as being mounted to the rear shell 16, but may alternatively be mounted to the front shell 14. The adjustment mechanism 20 is configured for brining the two rear flaps 16B and the two side portions 14C towards one another to reduce the size of the internal cavity of the helmet 10 and to push two rear flaps 16B and the two side portions 14C away fromone another to increase a size of the internal cavity of the helmet 10. In so doing, the two side portions 14C of the front shell 14 are movable one relative to the other substantially about the vertical axis VA (Fig. 3). The top portion of the rear shell 16 is located underneath the front shell 14 such that an amount of overlap between the front and rear shells varies as the two rear flaps 16B and the two side portions 14C are moved relative to one another to adjust a size of the helmet 10.

[0080] Still referring to Figs. 6-7, the rear shell 16 and the adjustment mechanism 20 are shown. The rear shell 16 includes a central section 16C, with two rear flaps 16B protruding along a direction having a component relative to the transversal axis TA (Fig. 3) and away from one another. The adjustment mechanism 20 may be secured at a bottom of the central section 16C proximate bases or roots of the two rear flaps 16B. Alternate locations for the adjustment mechanism 20 are contemplated. The central section 16C of the rear shell 16 defines a bump 16D when seen from the inside of the helmet. The bump 16D is seen as a recess or cavity from the outside of the helmet. The bump 16D includes two longitudinal walls 16E protruding towards an interior of the helmet and extending substantially along the longitudinal axis LA. The two longitudinal walls 16E are connected together via a transversal wall 16F that extends substantially along the transversal axis TA. Each of the two longitudinal walls 16E defines a respective lateral aperture 16G. The transversal wall 16F defines an upper aperture 16H and a bottom aperture 161.

[0081] The adjustment mechanism 20 includes generally two connecting members 21 and a blocking member 22. The two connecting members 21 are each slidably received within a respective one of the lateral apertures 16G. The connecting members 21 overlap one another within the cavity defined by the bump 16D and between the longitudinal walls 16E. As further described below, the two connecting members 21 slide one relative to the other to adjust the size of the internal head-receiving cavity of the helmet 10. The blocking member 22 is received within the cavity defined by the bump 16D and is configured for locking the two connecting members 21 to each other to lock the helmet 10 to a desired size. It will be appreciated that, in an alternate embodiment, the connecting members 21 need not extend through apertures defined by the rear shell 16.

[0082] Referring now to Figs. 8-9, in the embodiment shown, the connecting members 21 are received through apertures 14G defined by the front shell 14 at lateral sides thereof. The connecting members 21 extend from first ends engaged to the outer shell 12 to second ends. The first ends of the connecting members 21 define stoppers 21A configured to abut against an outerface of the front shell 14 to prevent its penetration through the registering apertures. As shown in Fig. 9, a locking member 23, such as a circlip, is disposed around the connecting members 21 . A portion of the front shell 14 and of the rear shell 16 is thus sandwiched between the stoppers 21A and the locking members 23 to prevent a translation of the connecting members 21 relative to the side portions 14C of the front shell 14 and the rear flaps 16B of the rear shell 16. This may therefore allow the connecting members 21 to push and pull on the outer shell 12 of the helmet 10 to adjust a size of the internal cavity of the helmet 10. Any other suitable locking member may be used. The locking member may be omitted in some embodiments.

[0083] Referring now to Fig. 10, and with regard to Fig. 6, the connecting members 21 each define connecting member teeth 21 B distributed along a length of the connecting members 21 and substantially along the transversal axis TA of the helmet 10. The connecting member teeth 21 B are configured to be engaged by the blocking member 22 to lock the connecting members 21 together. In the embodiment shown, inter-teeth spacings, which are each being defined between two adjacent ones of the connecting member teeth 21 B, have openings oriented downwardly along arrow A1 . This is also depicted in Fig. 6. The expression “downwardly” implies in a direction parallel to gravity, that is, towards a ground.

[0084] In the embodiment shown, the connecting member teeth 21 B are defined by grooves extending from one face ofthe connecting members 21 towards an opposite face. However, these grooves do not extend all the way through the connecting members 21 . Hence, one of the opposite faces of the connecting members 21 are devoid of the connecting member teeth 21 B and grooves. In the disclosed embodiment, the connecting members 21 are disposed such that the faces devoid of the connecting member teeth 21 B are facing each other. Other configurations are contemplated. The grooves may extend all the way through the connecting members 21 .

[0085] As shown in Fig. 11 , the blocking member 22 includes a top portion 22A (which may also be referred to as a “first portion” 22A) and a bottom portion 22B (which may also be referred to as a “second portion” 22B) secured to the top portion 22A via a pivot, but other ways of securing these two portions together are also contemplated. Additionally, in alternate embodiments the blocking members 22 may be monolithically formed of a single part. The top portion 22A defines a pair of prongs 22C each being resiliently deformable towards one another. The pair of prongs 22C define hooks at their distal ends and are receivable within the upper aperture 16H (Fig. 6) of the transversal wall 16F of the rear shell 16. As one pushes on the blocking member 22, the prongs 22C move towards one another until the hooks at their distal ends pass through the upper aperture 16H. At which point, the prongs 22C snap back into place and away from one anotherin such a way that the hooks sit against an inner side of the rear shell 16 thereby preventing any movements between the blocking member 22 and the rear shell 16. Any suitable ways of securing the blocking member 22 to the rear shell 16 are contemplated. For instance, in some embodiments, fasteners (e.g., rivets, bolts, etc) may be used for this purpose.

[0086] Referring to Figs. 1 1-12, the bottom portion 22B of the blocking member 22 define a plurality of pairs of blocking member teeth 22D. Each of the blocking member teeth 22D of the pairs of blocking member teeth 22D is disposed on a respective side of a central channel 22E. Put differently, the blocking member teeth 22D are distributed in two rows of teeth separated by the central channel 22E. The central channel 22E is sized to slidingly receiving therethrough the two connecting members 21 .

[0087] In the present embodiment, the bottom portion 22B also defines a central protrusion 22F that is sized to be received within the bottom aperture 161 (Fig. 6). The central protrusions 22F defines one of the two rows of the blocking member teeth 22D. Other shapes and configurations of the blocking member 22 are contemplated without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0088] As best seen in Fig. 12, a height of the upper aperture 16H relative to the vertical axis VA is greater then a height of the prongs 22C. This permits a vertical motion of the blocking member 22 as will be discussed below. Understandably, the bottom portion 22B is smaller than the bottom aperture 161 to permit relative movement therebetween when moving the blocking member 22 between locked and unlocked configurations. Moreover, in the present embodiment, a bottom portion of the bottom aperture 161 is recessed inwardly such that the blocking member 22 may move downwardly without abutting a peripheral wall of the bottom aperture 161.

[0089] Still referring to Fig. 12, the blocking member 22 is movable between a locked position (as shown in Fig. 12) and an unlocked position. The blocking member 22 is movable in translation along a direction D1 that has a component along the vertical axis VA. In the embodiment shown, the blocking member 22 is movable only in translation. Hence, it is not rotatable relative to the rear shell 16. Upper and lower-most positions of the blocking member 22 are defined by abutments between one or more of the prongs 22C and the central protrusion 22F and peripheral walls bounding the upper aperture 16H and the bottom apertures 161. In the locked position, the blocking member teeth 22D of the blocking member 22 and the connecting member teeth 21 B of the connecting members 21 are engaged with one another. Put differently, in the locked position of the blocking member 22, the connecting member teeth 21 B of a first one of the connecting members 21 are located within spaces or grooves defined between the blocking member teeth22D of one of the rows of the blocking member teeth 22D of the blocking member 22, and the connecting member teeth 21 B of a second one of the connecting members 21 are located within spaces or grooves defined between the blocking member teeth 22D of the other of the rows of blocking member teeth 22D of the blocking member 22. Thus, any translation between the two connecting members 21 is prevented by an interlocking engagement defined between the connecting member teeth 21 B of the connecting members 21 and the blocking member teeth 22D of the blocking member 22. Thus, when the blocking member 22 is in the locked position, the size of the helmet 10 is fixed and maintained by the interlocking engagement defined between the connecting member teeth 21 B of the connecting members 21 and the blocking member teeth 22D of the blocking member 22.

[0090] Referring to Figs. 13-14, when the wearer wishes to adjust the size of the helmet 10, he or she moves the blocking member 22 along the direction D1 . In the embodiment shown, the blocking member 22 is moved downwardly to set it in the unlocked position. As shown in Fig. 14, while the blocking member 22 is in the unlocked position, the side portions 14C of the front shell 14 may be moved one relative to the other along direction D2 to selectively increase or decrease the size of the helmet 10. Once the desired size is achieved, the wearer may move the blocking member 22 along the direction D1 , herein upwardly, to lock the connecting members 21 to the blocking member 22 by interlocking the connecting member teeth 21 B and the blocking member teeth 22D. This locks the helmet 10 to fix the size of the internal cavity of the helmet 10 at the desired size.

[0091] As shown in Fig. 6, the upper aperture 16H defines a pair of opposed cut-outs 16J in its peripheral wall. The opposed cut-outs 16J are offset from one another relative to a direction of movement of the blocking member 22, which is herein a vertical direction. The opposed cut-outs 16J are sized to receive the prongs 22C (Fig. 11) of the blocking member 22 in both of the locked position and the unlocked position. Thus, in both of these positions, the blocking member 22 may be kept in the locked or unlocked position by the prongs 22C being received within the cut-outs 16J until the user pushes against the blocking member 22 to translate it between these two positions. Pushing against the blocking member 22 causes the two prongs 22C to deform elastically towards one another to move the blocking member 22 until the prongs 22C are in register with the other pair of cut-outs and snap into place to maintain the position of the blocking member 22 during use of the helmet 10.

[0092] Referring back to Fig. 6, in the embodiment shown, one of the connecting members 21 defines upper teeth 21 C while the other of the connecting members 21 defines an arm stopper21 D. The arm stopper 21 D is sized to be received within spaces defined between the upper teeth 21 C to provide a ratchet mechanism ensuring that regardless between which pair of the upper teeth 21 C the arm stopper 21 D is received, the blocking member teeth 22D are always aligned within grooves defined between the connecting member teeth 21 B. This may be omitted in some embodiment, but it does facilitate the moving of the blocking member 22 from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration by avoiding the blocking member 22 from hitting teeth of the connecting arms.

[0093] Referring now to Fig. 15, another embodiment of a helmet is shown at 100. The helmet 100 includes a front shell 114 and a rear shell 116. The front and rear shells 114, 116 are slidable one relative to the other about the longitudinal axis LA. The adjustment mechanism 120 is used to permit this relative motion of the front and rear shells 114, 116 while adjusting the size of the helmet 100 and to block the relative motion when the adequate size is found and during use of the helmet 100. The adjustment mechanism 120 includes a connecting member 121 and a blocking member 122. The connecting member 121 is secured to the rear shell 116, but may alternatively be secured to the front shell 114, and the blocking member 122 is mounted to the front shell 114, but may alternatively be mounted to the rear shell 116. The connecting member 121 may be monolithically secured to the rear shell 116.

[0094] The blocking member 122 and the connecting member 121 may include respective teeth as described above. The blocking member 122 is movable in translation relative to the front shell 114 between locked and unlocked positions. In this embodiment, the blocking member 122 may be movable about a direction D3 having a component along the transversal axis TA.

[0095] In the embodiment described above, the blocking member 22 is moved downwardly, along the direction D1 , into its unlocked position for the purposes of permitting adjustment of the helmet, and it is moved upwardly along direction D1 into its locked position. It is however to be understood that this configuration can be inversed, whereby the blocking member is disposed in the opposite direction for both locking and unlocking. For example, in another embodiment, the blocking member 22 may be moved upwardly to displace it into an unlocked position and may be moved downwardly into its locked position. In this alternate embodiment, therefore, the teeth 21 B of the connecting members 21 will protrude upward and the teeth 22D of the blocking member 22 will protrude downward.Ventilation

[0096] Referring now to Fig. 16, another embodiment of the helmet is shown at 200. For the sake of conciseness, only features different from the other helmets described above are described below. However, it is to be understood that any feature or combination of features of the helmet 200 may be incorporated in any of the helmets 10, 100 described above, and vice versa, any feature or combination of features of the helmets 10, 100 described above may be incorporated into the helmet 200.

[0097] The helmet 200 has an outer shell 212 defining a hard part of the helmet 200. The outer shell 212 defines a plurality of shell openings configured to allow an air flow through the outer shell 212 to help a wearer mitigating heat generation during play. In the embodiment shown, the shell openings include a top opening 212A at a top of the helmet 200, a front opening 212B at a front of the helmet 200, front side openings 212C and rear side openings 212D on lateral sides of the helmet 200 and respectively closer to the front and to a rear of the helmet 200, and a rear opening 212E at the rear of the helmet 200. The different openings described above may each include one or more openings. For instance, some openings may be referred to using the singular form, but since the helmet is symmetrical, an opening on the side implies that another opening is located on the other opposite side. In some cases, some opening are described using the singular form, for instance the front opening, but it will be appreciated that the front opening may be subdivided into more than one opening. Many configurations are contemplated.

[0098] In the embodiment shown, the top opening 212A and the front side openings 212C are divided into sub-openings by ribs, namely top transversal ribs 213A, top angled ribs 213B, and side angled ribs 213C. As shown in Fig. 19, these ribs are configured to act as scoop to draw an airflow F into a head-receiving volume of the helmet 200. In the embodiment shown, the ribs have an angle of attack such that leading edges 213LE of the ribs are located closer to an outer surface of the outer shell 212 than trailing edges 213TE of the ribs. The transversal ribs 213A extend substantially transversally along the transversal axis TA of the helmet 200 whereas the angled ribs extend along a direction having a component along the longitudinal axis LA of the helmet 200.

[0099] Referring more particularly to Fig. 18, the helmet 200 further has an inner padding 230 affixed to an inner side of the outer shell 212. The inner padding 230 includes solid padding members 231 made of an elastomeric material and porous padding members 232 made of a lattice structure or a porous material as will be described further below. The solid padding members 231 define cooling channels communicating with the shell openings 212A, 212B, 212C,212D, 212E of the outer shell 212. The cooling channels extending along an inner surface of the inner padding 230 around the head of the wearer. In the embodiment shown, the cooling channels are defined by grooves of the solid padding members 231 or between adjacent solid padding members 231. The cooling channels extend substantially uninterrupted from one or more inlets defined by a first subset of the shell openings to one or more outlets defined by a second subset of the shell openings. The one or more outlets located rearward of the one or more inlets. The expression “substantially uninterrupted” implies that the cooling channel is continuous from the inlet(s) to the outlet(s) even if some features (e.g., padding attachments, fasteners, etc) may be located therein.

[0100] The cooling channels may include active cooling channels and passive cooling channels. The active cooling channels are configured to guide an airflow along a direction of movement of the wearer, that is, typically from the front to the rear of the helmet 200. The passive cooling channels are configured to permit an airflow to flow by natural convection towards the top of the helmet 200. That way, the wearer may evacuate heat both while actively moving as well as by being stationary without the help of an external air flow. These two types of cooling channels may help mitigating heat generation of the wearer. The active cooling channels extend generally horizontally, between the front and back of the helmet 200 while the passive cooling channels extend generally vertically from the bottom to the top of the helmet 200. It will be appreciated that the expression “generally” encompasses variations from a perfectly “horizontal” or “vertical” direction but implies that a main component of the direction is “horizontal” or “vertical”.

[0101] The active cooling channels may fluidly connect the front opening 212B to the rear opening 212E and fluidly connect the front side openings 212C to the rear side openings 212D. The passive cooling channels may have outlets either at the top opening 212A and / or at some of the front side openings 212C and rear side openings 212D that are located closer to the top of the helmet 200 than a remainder of the front side openings 212C and rear side openings 212D. The opening located towards the front and the bottom of the helmet 200 may be used as inlets while the openings located towards the rear and the top of the helmet 200 may be used as outlets. Understandably, the direction of the flow may change with movements of the wearer and the expressions “inlet” and “outlet” are in reference to a wearer moving in a forward direction when no external wind is present but for the airflow generated by the movement of the wearer.

[0102] Referring more particularly to Fig. 20, the active cooling channels are described in greater detail. Flow directions of the airwithin the cooling channels are illustrated with the arrows.

[0103] The active cooling channels include a bottom side active cooling channel 241 , a top side active cooling channel 242 disposed over the bottom side active cooling channel 241 and extending generally parallel to the bottom side active cooling channel 241. A top active cooling channel 243 is located adjacent a top portion of the outer shell 212. It will be appreciated that these active cooling channels are located on both sides of the helmet 200; the sides separated by a symmetry plane of the helmet 200 defined by a sagittal plane thereof. The active cooling channels 241 , 242, 243 have inlets defined by the front opening 212B and the front side openings 212C and outlets defined by the rear side openings 212D and the rear openings 212E. The top cooling channel 243 may also receive air from the top opening 212A

[0104] In the embodiment shown, the bottom side active cooling channel 241 divides into three sub-channels 241A that diverge away from one another and away from the bottom side active cooling channel 241 towards a rear of the helmet 200. The sub-channels 241 A each fluidly connects the bottom side active cooling channel 241 to a respective one of the rear side openings 212D.

[0105] Referring to Fig. 21 , the passive cooling channels are described in greater detail. The passive cooling channels include a front side passive cooling channel 251 at the front of the helmet 200, middle side passive cooling channels 252 proximate ear protectors of the helmet, and rear passive cooling channel 253 at the rear of the helmet 200. The front side passive cooling channel 251 receives air from an area proximate a forehead of the wearer and flows this air towards the front side openings 212C. Air may thus flow through the front side passive cooling channel 251 via natural convection when the wearer is stationary (e.g., sitting on the bench). The middle side passive cooling channels 252 communicate with an area proximate the ear protectors and receives air from this area and flows this air towards the rear side openings 212D either directly or via the sub-channels 241 A. Here again, heat may be evacuated by natural convection via the middle side passive cooling channels 252. Similarly, the rear passive cooling channel 253 receives air from a rear portion of the head of the wearer and flows this air towards the rear side openings 212D and rear opening 212E.

[0106] The combination of active and passive cooling channels described above may help a player mitigating heat generation both while being in movement as well as when being stationary. Greater comfort may thus be provided to the wearer using the features of the helmet 200 described above.

[0107] Referring to Figs. 18 and 22, in the embodiment shown, the porous padding members 232 are disposed within some of the active cooling channels. Namely, a first porous padding member is disposed within each of the bottom side active cooling channels 241 and a second porous padding member is disposed within each of the top active cooling channels 243. This padding member overlaps the top opening 212A of the outer shell 212. In the embodiment shown, a third porous padding member may overlap the front opening 212B. It will be appreciated that some of the cooling channels, whetherthey are the active or passive channels, may be devoid or free of the porous padding members.

[0108] As shown in Fig. 22, the porous padding members each define a plurality of tortuous flow paths. The porous padding members may be a lattice or porous structure incorporating a network of interconnected nodes and struts or a series of voids and solid material. This type of structure may be used to enhance the performance, durability, and functionality of the equipment. A lattice structure is composed of a repeating pattern of interlinked nodes and struts, forming a three-dimensional grid. The material used can vary from polymers, to advanced composites, depending on the specific requirements of the sporting equipment. A porous structure consists of a solid matrix with numerous small holes or voids distributed throughout. These voids can be uniform or irregular in size and shape. The porous padding members may be manufactured via an additive manufacturing process, injection molding, and other suitable techniques.

[0109] In some embodiments, the porous padding member 232 may define a groove 232A oriented toward the outer shell 212. This groove 232A may be used to facilitate an airflow in the cooing channel the padding member is disposed. This groove may be omitted in some embodiments. The porous padding members 232 may, by their porosities, facilitate the passage of air therethrough and may thus further help in mitigating heat generation by the wearer.Definitions

[0110] It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the preceding description and in the drawings. It is noted that these connections are general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. A coupling between two or more entities may refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection. An indirect connection may incorporate one or more intervening entities. The term “connected” or "coupled to" may therefore include both direct coupling (in whichtwo elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements).

[0111] It is further noted that various method or process steps for embodiments of the present disclosure are described in the following description and drawings. The description may present the method and / or process steps as a particular sequence. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the description should not be construed as a limitation.

[0112] Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0113] While various aspects of the present disclosure have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the present disclosure as described herein includes several aspects and embodiments that include particular features. Although these particular features may be described individually, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that some or all of these features may be combined with any one of the aspects and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. References to “various embodiments,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. The use of the indefinite article “a” as used herein with reference to a particular element is intended to encompass “one or more” such elements, and similarly the use of the definite article “the” in reference to a particular element is not intended to exclude the possibility that multiple of such elements may be present.

[0114] The embodiments described in this document provide non-limiting examples of possible implementations of the present technology. Upon review of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the present technology. Yet further modifications could be implemented by a person of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure, which modifications would be within the scope of the present technology.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A protective helmet comprising: a front shell configured to cover a front and sides of a head of a wearer, the front shell including two side portions spaced apart by an elongated opening extending from a top of the front shell to a rear of the front shell; a rear shell configured to cover the rear of the head, the rear shell having a top portion received within the elongated opening, the side portions of the front shell movable relative to the rear shell and relative to each other to adjust a size of the protective helmet; and an adjustment mechanism configured to control movement of the front shell and the rear shell relative to one anotherto adjust a size of the protective helmet, the adjustment mechanism including: two connecting members each engaged to a respective one of the side portions of the front shell, and a blocking member mounted to the rear shell and movable in translation relative to the rear shell between a locked position and an unlocked position, the blocking member preventing relative movement of the two connecting members and the side portions in the locked position, the blocking member permitting relative movement of the two connecting members and the side portions in the unlocked position, wherein in response to the blocking member being in the unlocked position the side portions are movable one relative to the other to adjust the size of the protective helmet by a translation of the two connecting members relative to the blocking member.

2. The protective helmet of claim 1 , wherein the locked position and the unlocked position of the blocking member are vertically offset from one another.

3. The protective helmet of claim 1 , wherein the two connecting members define first teeth and the blocking member define second teeth, the first teeth disengaged from the second teeth in the unlocked position of the blocking member, the first teeth interlocked with the second teeth in the locked position of the blocking member.

4. The protective helmet of claim 3, wherein the blocking member defines two rows of the second teeth spaced apart by a central channel, the two connecting members overlapping one another within the central channel.

5. The protective helmet of claim 3, wherein grooves are defined between the first teeth, the grooves extending from first faces of the two connecting members towards second faces opposed to the first faces, the second faces being devoid of the grooves.

6. The protective helmet of claim 1 , wherein the blocking member includes two prongs defining hooks at distal ends of the two prongs, the two prongs receivable within an aperture defined through the rear shell.

7. The protective helmet of claim 6, wherein the aperture extends along a height aperture being greater than a prong height of the two prongs to permit a sliding motion of the blocking member along a vertical direction, the vertical direction extending from a top to a bottom of the protective helmet.

8. The protective helmet of claim 1 , wherein the rear shell remains secured to the front shell at a connection point on the top of the front shell while the two side portions move relative to one another to adjust the size the protective helmet.

9. The protective helmet of claim 1 , wherein the rear shell and the front shell overlap one another at a rear of the protective helmet.

10. The protective helmet of claim 9, wherein a dimension of the overlap varies with movements of the two side portions of the front shell.1 1 . The protective helmet of claim 10, wherein the dimension of the overlap varies inversely with the size of the protective helmet.

12. A protective helmet comprising: a front shell configured to cover a front a head of a wearer; a rear shell configured to cover a rear of the head, the front shell and the rear shell being movable one relative to the other to adjust a size of the protective helmet; and an adjustment mechanism configured to control movement of the front shell and the rear shell relative to one another, the adjustment mechanism including:a connecting member engaged to one of the front shell and the rear shell, and a blocking member mounted to the other of the front shell and the rear shell, the blocking member being slidable in translation relative to the other of the front shell and the rear shell between a locked position and an unlocked position, the blocking member preventing relative movement of the front shell and the rear shell in the locked position, the front shell and the rear shell being movable one relative to the other to adjust the size of the protective helmet by a translation of the connecting member relative to the blocking member in the unlocked position of the blocking member.

13. The protective helmet of claim 12, wherein the locked position and the unlocked position of the blocking member are vertically offset from one another.

14. The protective helmet of claim 12, wherein the connecting member defines first teeth and the blocking member defines second teeth, the first teeth disengaged from the second teeth in the unlocked position of the blocking member, the first teeth interlocked with the second teeth in the locked position of the blocking member.

15. The protective helmet of claim 14, wherein the blocking member defines two rows of the second teeth spaced apart by a central channel, the two connecting members overlapping one another within the central channel.

16. The protective helmet of claim 14, wherein grooves are defined between the first teeth, the grooves extending from first faces of the connecting member towards second faces opposed to the first faces, the second faces being devoid of the grooves.

17. The protective helmet of claim 12, wherein the blocking member includes two prongs defining hooks at distal ends of the two prongs, the two prongs receivable within an aperture defined through the rear shell.

18. The protective helmet of claim 17, wherein the aperture extends along a height aperture being greater than a prong height of the two prongs to permit a sliding motion of the blocking member along a vertical direction, the vertical direction extending from a top to a bottom of the protective helmet.

19. The protective helmet of claim 12, wherein the rear shell and the front shell overlap one another at a rear of the protective helmet.

20. A protective helmet comprising: an outer shell configured to surround a head of a wearer, the outer shell defining shell openings fluidly connecting a head-receiving volume of the helmet to an environment outside the head-receiving volume; and an inner padding affixed to an inner side of the outer shell, the inner padding defining cooling channels communicating with the shell openings of the outer shell, the cooling channels extending along an innersurface of the inner padding around the head of the wearer, the cooling channels extending substantially uninterrupted from one or more inlets defined by a first subset of the shell openings to one or more outlets defined by a second subset of the shell openings, the one or more outlets located rearward of the one or more inlets.

Images