Protective helmet

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective helmet comprising: an outer shell (1) for distributing impact forces; a support arrangement (2) for maintaining the outer shell (1) at a distance from a head of a wearer of the protective helmet, wherein the support arrangement (2) has a front support (3) that is designed to engage a front region of the head, and a rear support (4) that is designed to engage a rear region of the head, wherein the protective helmet has a first adjustment mechanism (5) for adjusting the circumference of the front support (3), wherein the protective helmet has a second adjustment mechanism (6) for adjusting the distance of the rear support (4) from a rear region of the outer shell (1), and wherein the second adjustment mechanism (6) is designed to be adjusted independently of the first adjustment mechanism (5). The protective helmet according to the invention is characterised in that the adjustment of the second adjustment mechanism (6) does not affect the circumference of the front support (3).

Description

[0001] protective helmet

[0002] The invention relates to a protective helmet having the features of the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0003] For a safety helmet to function properly, it is important that it sits securely on the wearer's head. To ensure this, the support arrangement, usually formed by a headband or similar structure, must be adapted to the wearer's head circumference, which can naturally vary considerably, and to the shape of the head. It is obvious that it is more economical to produce as few variants of a safety helmet as possible that differ from one another in size, and instead to allow the same model of safety helmet to be adapted to different head sizes. However, other aspects must be taken into account when providing such a size adjustment mechanism.For example, the center of gravity should not shift during size adjustment, as such a shift can significantly impair wearing comfort, even if the headband is adjusted to the correct head circumference. Likewise, simple mechanical solutions are preferable to more complex approaches.

[0004] EP 2 389 823 B1 is known from the prior art, which shows a helmet having an adjustment mechanism with a rotary knob for adjusting a headband to the user's head size. A latch assumes a locked and an unlocked position to prevent or allow rotation of the knob. The mechanism comprises a double gear with a sprocket connected to a drive rack of a neckband of the headband, and another sprocket connected to a drive rack of a fastening strap of the headband. The gears have different diameters to achieve different drive of the retaining strap and neckband.

[0005] While this approach does fundamentally allow the support arrangement to be adjusted to different head sizes while attempting to avoid shifting the center of gravity, it is problematic that each time the knob or knobs are turned for adjustment, both the front headband and the rear neck strap are adjusted. This makes adjusting the front headband independently of adjusting the rear neck strap - or vice versa - impossible or very difficult. In addition, it should be possible to quickly loosen the support arrangement and then tighten it when putting on or taking off the protective helmet, with ideally no complex fine adjustment being necessary after this process. What is needed is a way to temporarily widen the position when putting on or taking off, but from which the previous position can be quickly returned.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a protective helmet which can be adapted to a wide range of head sizes without this adaptation leading to disadvantageous shifts of the heavy load point and which also allows for quick putting on and taking off comfortably and without complex adjustments.

[0007] This problem is solved for a protective helmet having the features of the preamble of patent claim 1 by the features of the characterising part of patent claim 1.

[0008] Key to the invention is the realization that a front support and a rear support can be provided separately, each of which can be adjusted independently of each other. This not only allows for a wide range of adjustment options, but the additional degree of freedom also makes it possible to provide a suitable location for the heavy load point.

[0009] The proposed protective helmet has an outer shell for distributing impact forces. The proposed protective helmet further comprises a support arrangement for supporting the outer shell at a distance from the head of a wearer of the protective helmet. In other words, the support arrangement ensures that the outer shell is supported on the wearer's head at a distance from the wearer's head. The protective helmet can, in particular, be a military helmet, a combat helmet, a police helmet, or a pilot's helmet. The protective helmet can also be a firefighter's helmet, a forestry helmet, or a safety helmet for industrial use.

[0010] In the proposed protective helmet, the support arrangement comprises a front support configured to grip a front region of the head and a rear support configured to grip a rear region of the head. This is the head of the wearer of the protective helmet. In other words, the front support contacts a front region of the wearer's head, and the rear support contacts a rear region of the wearer's head. The "front" and "rear" directions are defined by the direction of vision of the wearer of the protective helmet, which direction of vision also represents the longitudinal direction.

[0011] The proposed protective helmet also has a first adjustment device for adjusting the circumference of the front support and a second adjustment device for adjusting the distance of the rear support from a rear region of the outer shell. The circumference of the front support is understood to be the dimension of that section of the front support that supports the wearer's head. In other words, the circumference of the front support is adjusted even if only the length of the section that supports the wearer's head changes. The distance of the rear support from the rear region of the protective helmet is defined by the longitudinal direction, which in turn—as already stated—corresponds to the wearer's line of sight.

[0012] According to the proposal, the second adjustment device is configured to be adjusted independently of the first adjustment device. In other words, a possible adjustment range of the first adjustment device is not limited by a current adjustment position of the second adjustment device, or vice versa. The proposed protective helmet is characterized in that the extent of the front support is independent of the setting of the second adjustment device. In other words, the setting of the second adjustment device has no influence on the extent of the front support.

[0013] Here, it is further preferred that this also applies in reverse. A preferred embodiment of the proposed protective helmet is accordingly characterized in that the distance between the rear support and the rear region of the outer shell is independent of the setting of the first adjustment device.

[0014] In principle, the first adjustment device can exhibit any degree of mobility relative to the outer shell. A preferred embodiment of the proposed protective helmet is characterized in that the first adjustment device is fixedly connected to the outer shell. This means that the first adjustment device cannot be changed in its position relative to the outer shell. Changes in the state of the first adjustment device during its adjustment to adjust the circumference of the front support do not constitute a change in position. The first adjustment device can be connected directly or indirectly to the outer shell.

[0015] A preferred embodiment of the proposed protective helmet is characterized in that the front support is designed to also grip the lateral areas of the head. These lateral areas of the head are then gripped in addition to the front area.

[0016] A further preferred embodiment of the proposed protective helmet is characterized in that the front support comprises a head strap for gripping the front region of the head. The head strap is preferably continuous. It is further preferred that the front support also encompasses the lateral regions of the head. Accordingly, the head strap then also encompasses the lateral regions of the head.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the proposed protective helmet, the first adjustment device comprises a front actuating element for adjusting the extent of the front support. In principle, the front actuating element can be designed as desired. It is preferred that the front actuating element be a rotary dial. Such a rotary dial can not only be designed compactly, but also allows reliable and comfortable operation, for example, even when the wearer of the protective helmet is wearing gloves.

[0018] According to a further preferred embodiment of the proposed protective helmet, the front actuating element is arranged on an outer side of the outer shell. This ensures particularly good accessibility of the front actuating element. This accessibility is even more important for the front actuating element than for the second adjustment device, since the setting of the second adjustment device is normally not changed or only rarely changed for one and the same wearer, whereas the first adjustment device is regularly used for adjustment, for example when putting on and taking off the protective helmet. It is further preferred that the first adjustment device is guided through an opening in the outer shell. A particularly advantageous arrangement of the front actuating element is achieved when the front actuating element is arranged substantially at a rear end of the outer shell.This rear end is defined by the longitudinal direction.

[0019] A preferred embodiment of the proposed protective helmet is characterized in that the front support has connecting elements and front fastening parts that are fixed relative to the outer shell. The connecting elements connect the headband to the front fastening parts in such a way that the headband is freely movable relative to the front fastening parts. In other words, the circumference of the front support is adjusted by the first adjustment device, but not its exact position. The relative immobility of the front fastening parts can be implemented in different ways. According to a preferred variant, the front fastening parts can be arranged and preferably attached directly to the outer shell.According to a further preferred variant, the front fastening parts can be arranged on a structure - such as a curved disc within the outer shell - which in turn is fixed in its position relative to the outer shell. In particular, the structure can be firmly connected to the outer shell. Preferably, the front support has at least two and in particular at least three connecting elements and a correspondingly large number of front fastening points. In this way, no separate adjustment has to be made for head shapes of different lengths or widths, but rather a single circumferential adjustment can be used for a certain distribution range of head lengths and widths. The free mobility here does not mean that this free mobility exists for every degree of deflection. Rather, it only applies as long as the movement of the head strap exceeds a certain degree ordoes not exceed a certain degree of deflection. This dimension depends in particular on the number and position of the front fastening parts, as well as the length and flexibility of the connecting elements.

[0020] A further preferred embodiment of the proposed protective helmet is characterized in that the front fastening parts are arranged in the region of a front half of the outer shell. Preferably, they are arranged only in the region of the front half of the outer shell. Thus, the front support is effectively open in the rear direction, so that support from this direction is provided essentially exclusively by the rear support.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the proposed protective helmet, the front actuating element is configured to adjust the circumference of the headband. It is further preferred that the front support comprises longitudinal elements for connecting the headband to the front actuating element. This allows the adjustment made by the front actuating element to be transferred to the headband in a structurally simple manner.

[0022] According to a further preferred embodiment of the proposed protective helmet, the rear support comprises a neck pad and rear fastening elements for attaching the neck pad to the outer shell. The rear fastening elements are preferably connected to the neck pad.

[0023] A preferred embodiment of the proposed protective helmet is characterized in that the rear fastening elements comprise fastening strips, each of which is fastened to the outer shell at substantially oppositely arranged rear fastening parts of the rear support. Opposite here preferably means that the rear fastening parts are arranged opposite one another along a transverse direction of the protective helmet. This configuration enables a comparatively short design of the rear helmet contour. In other words, the support arrangement can be adjusted so that "excess" space of the protective helmet, which arises with head sizes smaller than the maximum, is located on the front side rather than on the rear side of the protective helmet.Such a short design of the rear helmet contour is particularly advantageous if the wearer of the protective helmet carries additional devices on his back, for example breathing apparatus.

[0024] A further preferred embodiment of the proposed method is characterized in that the rear fastening parts are fastened to a rear half of the outer shell. In particular, the rear fastening points can only be fastened to a rear half of the outer shell. Furthermore, it can be the case that the rear fastening parts are fastened to a rear third of the outer shell. Likewise, it can be the case that the rear fastening parts are only fastened to a rear third of the outer shell. The rear half of the outer shell means that part of the outer shell which, based on the total extension of the outer shell in the longitudinal direction, forms the rear half. Accordingly, the rear third of the outer shell means that part of the outer shell which, based on the total extension of the outer shell in the longitudinal direction, forms the rear third.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the proposed protective helmet, the second adjustment device comprises a rear actuating element for adjusting the distance between the neck pad and a rear region of the outer shell. It is further preferred that the rear actuating element be a rotary wheel. The rear fastening elements are preferably joined together at the rear actuating element.

[0026] In principle, the rear actuating element can be arranged anywhere relative to the outer shell. According to a further preferred embodiment of the proposed protective helmet, the rear actuating element is arranged below the outer shell. This variant eliminates the need to guide the second adjustment device through the outer shell. In particular, the rear actuating element can touch the neck pad. Preferably, the rear actuating element is connected to the neck pad in such a way that it is fixed relative to the neck pad. It is also preferred that the rear actuating element is arranged at a rear end of the protective helmet. This rear end is also defined by the longitudinal direction.

[0027] Further advantageous and preferred embodiments will become apparent from the following description with reference to the figures. The drawing, which merely shows one exemplary embodiment, shows

[0028] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view in section of an embodiment of the proposed protective helmet,

[0029] Fig. 2 is a schematic view from below of the embodiment of Fig. 1 with a maximum set circumference of the front support and a minimum set distance of the rear support to the rear area of ​​the outer shell,

[0030] Fig. 3 is a schematic view from below of the embodiment of Fig. 1 with a minimum set circumference of the front support and a minimum set distance of the rear support to the rear area of ​​the outer shell,

[0031] Fig. 4 is a schematic view from below of the embodiment of Fig. 1 with a minimum set circumference of the front support and a maximum set distance of the rear support to the rear area of ​​the outer shell,

[0032] Fig. 5 is a schematic view from the rear of the embodiment of Fig. 1 and Fig. 6 is a schematic view from the front of the embodiment of Fig. 1, wherein the protective helmet is shown mirrored vertically.

[0033] The protective helmet shown in Figs. 1 to 6 is a firefighter's helmet. A support assembly 2 is located within the outer shell 1, comprising a front support 3 and a rear support 4. A first adjustment device 5 is used to adjust the front support 3, and a second adjustment device 6 is used to adjust the rear support 4, as explained in more detail below.

[0034] The front support 3 comprises a continuous head strap 7, which visibly supports the front and side parts of the wearer's head. The rear support 4, in turn, comprises a neck cushion 8, which supports the back of the wearer's head. In addition, the front support 3 has a strap holder 17, from which the head strap 7 is suspended.

[0035] The headband 7 is further connected to the outer shell 1 via a total of three elastic connecting elements 12 with a corresponding number of front fastening parts 13.

[0036] In addition to the neck cushion 8, the rear support 4 comprises rear fastening elements 14 designed as fastening strips 15, to which the neck cushion 8 is attached. The rear fastening elements 14 are joined at the second adjustment device 6 and, at the same time, connected to rear fastening parts 16 on the outer shell 1. Furthermore, the rear support 4 also has a rear bracket 19.

[0037] The first adjusting device 5 has a front actuating element 9, which is designed as a rotary wheel. This front actuating element is stationary and arranged on the outside of the outer shell 1. The first adjusting device 5 is guided through an opening in the outer shell 1 and has longitudinal elements 11 for connection to the headband 7. By actuating the front actuating element 9, the circumference of the headband 7 can be adjusted via the tensile force transmitted by means of the longitudinal elements 11, wherein the headband 7 has a maximum circumference in the state shown in Fig. 2. In contrast, the headband 7 has a minimum circumference in the state shown in Fig. 3. The setting of the second adjusting device 6, on the other hand, is the same in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0038] It can be seen that, due to the length and flexibility of the connecting elements 12, the headband 7 is fundamentally freely movable relative to the outer shell 1. In particular, the headband 7 can adapt to different head shapes in that - with the setting of the first adjustment device 5 and the second adjustment device 6 remaining the same - in the case of a wider head that is shorter in the longitudinal direction 18 of the protective helmet, the headband 7 widens somewhat, but in return a front section of the headband 7 can assume a greater distance in the longitudinal direction 18 from the outer shell 1.Conversely, also with the same setting of the first adjusting device 5 and the second adjusting device 6, in the case of a narrower head that is longer in the longitudinal direction 18 of the protective helmet, the head strap 7 can adapt to this shape, so that the lateral sections of the head strap 7 approach each other and the front section of the head strap 7 assumes a smaller distance in the longitudinal direction 18 from the outer shell 1.

[0039] The second adjustment device 6 has a rear actuating element 10, which is also designed as a rotary wheel. In contrast to the front actuating element 9, this rear actuating element 10 is arranged below the outer shell 1 and, specifically, essentially fixed in position relative to the neck pad 8 when the protective helmet is worn. By actuating the rear actuating element 10, the distance of the neck pad 8 from the rear region of the outer shell 1 can be adjusted. Specifically, the effective length of the fastening strips 15 is adjusted, resulting in a displacement of the neck pad 8 in the longitudinal direction 18.

[0040] In the state shown in Fig. 2, a minimum distance between the neck cushion 8 and the rear region of the outer shell 1 is set by means of the rear actuating element 10. Together with the maximum circumference of the head strap 7, this results in a maximum extension of the support arrangement 2 as a whole. According to the illustration in Fig. 3, as already stated, the rear support 4 is in the same state as in the illustration in Fig. 2, so that the distance between the neck cushion 8 and the rear region of the neck cushion 8 remains minimal.

[0041] In the state shown in Fig. 4, however, the distance of the neck cushion 8 from the rear area of ​​the outer shell 1 has been set to a maximum by means of the rear actuating element 10, while the circumference of the head strap 7 is minimal, as in the state shown in Fig. 3. It can be seen that this independent adjustment option for both the circumference of the head strap 7 and the distance of the neck cushion 8 from the rear area of ​​the outer shell 1 allows a suitable adjustment of the support arrangement 2 for a wide variety of head sizes and shapes, which is accompanied by a suitable adjustment of the heavy load point.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A protective helmet with an outer shell (1) for distributing impact forces, with a support arrangement (2) for supporting the outer shell (1) at a distance from the head of a wearer of the protective helmet, wherein the support arrangement (2) has a front support (3) which is designed to grip a front region of the head, and a rear support (4) which is designed to grip a rear region of the head, wherein the protective helmet has a first adjusting device (5) for adjusting a circumference of the front support (3), wherein the protective helmet has a second adjusting device (6) for adjusting a distance of the rear support (4) from a rear region of the outer shell (1), and wherein the second adjusting device (6) is designed to be adjusted independently of the first adjusting device (5), characterized in thatthat the circumference of the front support (3) is independent of the setting of the second adjusting device (6).

2. Protective helmet according to claim 1, characterized in that the first adjusting device (5) is fixedly connected to the outer shell (1).

3. Protective helmet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the front support (3) is designed to also grip lateral areas of the head.

4. Protective helmet according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the front support (3) comprises a preferably continuous head strap (7) for gripping the front region of the head, in particular also the lateral regions of the head.

5. Protective helmet according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first adjusting device (5) has a front actuating element (9) for adjusting the circumference of the front support (3), in particular that the front actuating element (9) is a rotary wheel (10).

6. Protective helmet according to claim 5, characterized in that the front actuating element (9) is arranged on an outer side of the outer shell (1), preferably that the first adjusting device (5) is guided through an opening in the outer shell (1).

7. Protective helmet according to claim 6, characterized in that the front support (3) has connecting elements (12) and front fastening parts (13) which are fixed in position relative to the outer shell (1), wherein the connecting elements (1) connect the head strap (7) to the front fastening parts (13) in such a way that the head strap (7) is freely movable relative to the front fastening parts (13).

8. Protective helmet according to claim 7, characterized in that the front fastening parts (13) are arranged, preferably only, in the region of a front half of the outer shell (1).

9. Protective helmet according to claim 5 to 8, characterized in that the front actuating element (9) is designed to adjust the circumference of the headband (7), preferably that the front support (5) has longitudinal elements (11) for connecting the headband (7) to the front actuating element (9).

10. Protective helmet according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the rear support (4) has a neck pad (8) and, in particular connected to the neck pad (8) on both sides, rear fastening elements (14) for fastening the neck pad (8) to the outer shell (1).

11. Protective helmet according to claim 10, characterized in that the rear fastening elements (14) comprise fastening strips (15) which are each fastened to the outer shell (1) at substantially oppositely arranged rear fastening parts (16) of the rear support (4).

12. Protective helmet according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the rear fastening parts (16) are preferably only fastened to a rear half, in particular to a rear third of the outer shell (1).

13. Protective helmet according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the second adjusting device (6) has a rear actuating element (10) for adjusting the distance of the neck pad (8) to a rear region of the outer shell (1), preferably that the rear actuating element (10) is a rotary wheel.

14. Protective helmet according to claim 13, characterized in that the rear actuating element (10) is arranged below the outer shell (1), preferably that the rear actuating element (10) is connected to the neck pad in such a way that it is fixed in position relative to the neck pad.

15. A protective helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the protective helmet is a firefighter's helmet.

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