Safety helmet provided with a removable chin guard

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety helmet (10) comprising a shell (20) including two lateral attachment interfaces (22) each comprising at least one blocking element (24), a chin guard (30) that is removable with respect to the shell between an installed position and a removed position and includes two lateral attachment zones (32) each comprising a stationary portion (310) and a handle (320) rotatably mounted on the stationary portion (310) between a locked position and an unlocked position and including at least one locking hook. When the chin guard is in the installed position and the handle is in the unlocked position, each attachment zone of the chin guard bears against an attachment interface of the shell, and the locking hook of the handle engages with the blocking element of the shell.

Description

TITLE: PROTECTIVE HELMET WITH A REMOVABLE CHIN GUARD TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of protective helmets and particularly to protective helmets equipped with a removable chin guard. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Conventionally, a protective helmet with a chin bar comprises a shell and a chin bar removable relative to the shell between a mounted position and a dismounted position. The shell comprises two lateral attachment interfaces each comprising a locking element, and the chin bar comprises two lateral attachment areas each comprising a locking element.

[0003] In the mounted and locked position of the chin guard on the shell, each side attachment interface of the shell is arranged opposite a side attachment interface of the chin guard and the locking elements cooperate with each other to fix the chin guard to the shell. The mounting and dismounting as well as the locking and unlocking of the chin guard generally requires a relatively complex system requiring the helmet to be removed from the user's head.

[0004] However, in certain situations, the chin bar must be able to be removed from the helmet while the helmet is positioned on a user's head, without it being necessary to remove the helmet from the user's head. In addition, the chin bar must be able to be removed from the helmet by an external user, particularly for a helmet intended for young users such as children, or for an adult helmet, for example when changing practice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention provides a solution to the problems mentioned above, by proposing a protective helmet provided with a removable chin guard and comprising chin guard attachment interfaces having a particular geometry.

[0006] A first aspect of the invention relates to a protective helmet comprising: - a shell comprising an external surface and two lateral fixing interfaces each comprising at least one locking element extending at least as far as the external surface of the shell, - a chin guard removable relative to the shell between a mounted position and a dismounted position and comprising two lateral fixing zones, each fixing zone comprising: o a fixed part comprising an internal surface, and o a handle mounted so as to rotate on the fixed part between a locked position and an unlocked position and comprising at least one locking hook and a gripping zone integral with the hook.

[0007] In which: - in the mounted position of the chin guard and in the unlocked position of the handle, the internal surface of the fixed part of each fixing zone of the chin guard bears against the external surface of the shell, at the level of one of the fixing interfaces, and - in the mounted position of the chin guard and in the locked position of the handle, the locking hook of the handle of each chin guard attachment zone cooperates with the locking element of each shell attachment interface.

[0008] Thanks to the presence of a handle on the chin guard, the protective helmet according to the invention allows the chin guard to be removed from the shell of the protective helmet directly from the outside of the shell, by simply actuating the handle. In addition, the connecting interfaces in the form of a locking element of the shell cooperating with a locking hook of the handle have a simple geometry.

[0009] Advantageously, the shell comprises an outer casing and a cap arranged to bear against an inner surface of the outer casing, the outer casing comprises the outer surface of the shell, and the locking element of the fixing interface is arranged in the cap. The fact of fixing the locking element to the cap, corresponding to a substantially shock-absorbing element thick, is more robust than attaching the locking element to the outer shell corresponding to an outer shell much thinner than the cap. This also improves ergonomics when using the protective helmet.

[0010] Preferably, the locking element of each shell attachment interface comprises a recess and a stop; and in the mounted position of the chin guard and locked position of the handle, the locking hook of the handle of each chin guard attachment zone is received in the recess and held in position by the stop of the locking element.

[0011] Advantageously, the recess has a shape complementary to that of the locking hook of the chin guard handle. The recess thus comprises a first zone open on the outer casing and a second zone forming a cavity extending substantially perpendicular to the first zone, the stop being located between the outer surface of the outer casing and the second zone of the recess. According to a particular example of the invention, the recess is blind so that the first zone forms a blind hole open on the outer surface and the second zone forms a cavity in the shell, open on a contour of the blind hole, for example by extending the surface defining the bottom of the blind hole.

[0012] Preferably, the chin rest comprises a rotation shaft forming a pivot connection of the handle relative to the fixed part of the chin rest.

[0013] Advantageously, the rotation shaft is mounted fixed relative to the handle of the chin rest.

[0014] Advantageously, the rotation shaft is mounted to be able to rotate relative to the handle and the fixed part of the chin rest.

[0015] Advantageously, each attachment zone of the chin guard comprises a housing delimited by a peripheral edge, and the rotation shaft extends into the housing and comprises two ends each mounted in an open hole on the peripheral edge, and each handle is mounted in one of the housings. Such a feature makes it possible to minimize the size of the handles of the chin guard.

[0016] Preferably, the fixed part of each chin strap attachment zone comprises a torsion spring attached to the peripheral edge of the housing to return the handle to its locked position.

[0017] Preferably, each shell attachment interface comprises at least one centering hole, each chin guard attachment zone comprises at least one centering device; and in the mounted position of the chin guard relative to the shell, each centering device is received in the corresponding centering hole. Such a feature ensures the correct positioning of the chin guard relative to the shell of the protective helmet. This also makes it possible to improve the transfer of energy between the shell and the chin guard when the user of the protective helmet falls.

[0018] Advantageously, the chin guard is semi-annular and comprises two lateral end edges each located in the corresponding fixing zone, the two fixing zones being connected to each other by a central zone.

[0019] Advantageously, the rotation shaft is oriented horizontally (+ or - 10°) when the wearer is wearing the helmet and looking horizontally, and the articulation of the handle is from the bottom to the top to move from the locked to the unlocked position. This makes it easier for the user to remove and install the chin guard (more ergonomic) and also makes it less likely that the chin guard will be removed accidentally than in the case of a vertical axis.

[0020] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method of mounting the protective helmet according to the first aspect of the invention comprising the following steps: - rotation of the two handles relative to the fixed parts of the chin guard attachment areas until the handles are in the unlocked position, and - bringing the internal surface of the fixed part of each chin guard attachment zone into contact with the external surface of the shell, at one of the attachment interfaces, until the chin guard is in the mounted position, and - rotation of each of the two handles relative to the fixed parts of the chin strap attachment areas until the hook cooperates locking the handle of each chin bar attachment area with the locking element of each shell attachment interface and up to the locked position of the handle.

[0021] A third aspect of the invention relates to a method of dismantling the protective helmet according to the first aspect of the invention comprising the following steps: - rotation of the two handles relative to the fixed parts of the chin guard attachment areas to the unlocked position of the handles in which the locking hook of the handle of each chin guard attachment area is released relative to the locking element of each shell attachment interface, and - removal of the chin bar from the shell to the disassembled position of the chin bar.

[0022] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows, illustrated by the figures in which: - Figure 1 is an exploded perspective side view of a part of a protective helmet according to the invention comprising a shell and a chin guard; - Figure 2 is a side perspective view of the helmet of Figure 1 with the chin bar in a mounted position relative to the shell; - Figure 3 is a schematic partial sectional view of a portion of the helmet of Figure 1 in which the chin bar is in the mounted position and a handle is in a locked position; - Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 in which the chin guard handle is in an unlocked position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] An exemplary embodiment according to the invention is described in detail below, with reference to the attached drawings. This example illustrates the characteristics and advantages of the invention.

[0025] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing in different figures has a single reference.

[0026] For the understanding of the invention, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations will be adopted according to the XYZ reference frame indicated in the figures whose X and Y axes extend in a horizontal plane. The front of the protective helmet towards the rear of the protective helmet is oriented according to the Y axis of the XYZ reference frame.

[0027] As illustrated in Figure 1, a protective helmet 10 includes a shell 20 and a chin guard 30 removable relative to the shell 20 between a mounted position and a dismounted position.

[0028] The shell 20 has an outer surface 22A and an inner surface 22B arranged opposite the outer surface 22A, inside the shell 20.

[0029] More particularly, the hull 20 comprises: - an outer envelope 20A comprising the outer surface 22A of the shell 20, and - a cap 20B corresponding to a shock-absorbing element, arranged to bear against an internal surface of the outer casing 20A and comprising the internal surface 22B of the shell 20.

[0030] The outer casing 20A is in the form of a substantially rigid and thin outer shell and the cap 20B is in the form of a shock absorbing element having a thickness much greater than that of the outer casing 20A.

[0031] The shell 20 comprises two lateral fixing interfaces 22 each comprising at least one locking element 24 each arranged in the cap 20B and each extending at least as far as the external surface 22A of the outer casing 20A. According to an exemplary embodiment as shown in the figures, each fixing interface 22 comprises two locking elements 24 aligned along a first straight line, in this case parallel to the axis X.

[0032] More particularly, the locking element 24 of each fixing interface 22 of the shell 20 is formed by: a recess 240 completely passing through the outer casing 20A and at least partially through the cap 20B, and a stop 242 extending from the cap 20B, into the recess 240A.

[0033] Each fixing interface 22 of the shell 20 further comprises a centering orifice 26 passing completely through the outer casing 20A and at least partially through the cap 20B.

[0034] The chin guard 30 is semi-annular and comprises two lateral fixing zones 32 connected to each other by a central zone 33, each fixing zone 32 comprising a lateral end edge 31.

[0035] More particularly, each attachment zone 32 of the chin guard 30 comprises: - a fixed part 310 comprising an external surface 32A and an internal surface 32B arranged opposite the external surface 32A, the fixed part 310 comprising a housing 312 passing through and delimited by a peripheral edge 314, - a handle 320 received in the housing 312, and - a rotation shaft 34 forming a pivot connection between the fixed part 310 and the handle 320 allowing the handle 320 to pivot from its unlocked position to its locked position.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, the handle 320 is mounted in the housing 32 and rotatable relative to the fixed part 310 between a locked position and an unlocked position. In addition, the rotation shaft 34 extends into the housing 32 and comprises two ends each mounted in a corresponding orifice 316 open on the peripheral edge 314 of the housing 312 and forms a pivot connection of the handle 320 relative to the fixed part 310 of the chin guard 30. The fixed part 310 therefore comprises two orifices 316 aligned along a second straight line forming the rotation shaft 34 which in the mounted position is parallel to the first straight line.The rotation shaft 34 is thus horizontal (+ or - 10°) when the wearer wears the helmet and looks horizontally, and the articulation of the handle is from the bottom to the top to move from the locked to unlocked position, which makes it possible to simplify the assembly and removal of the chin guard for the user while avoiding accidental disassembly. In particular in this example, each end of the rotation shaft 34 is pivotally mounted in the corresponding orifice 316.

[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown in the figures, the rotation shaft 34 is mounted to be movable in rotation (pivoting) relative to the handle 320 and to the fixed part 310 of the chin rest 30. According to a first other example not shown, the rotation shaft 34 is mounted fixed relative to the handle 320 and is mounted pivoting relative to the fixed part 310 of the chin rest 30. According to a second other example not shown, the rotation shaft 34 is mounted fixed relative to the fixed part 310 of the chin rest 30 and is mounted pivoting relative to the handle 320 of the chin rest 30.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1, each handle 320 comprises an outer face 320A and an inner face 320B connected to each other by a peripheral contour 322 which comprises a gripping area comprising a gripping edge 324.

[0039] Each handle 320 has at least one locking hook 326. The gripping area is integral with the locking hook 326.

[0040] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown in the figures, each fixing interface 32 comprises two locking hooks 326 aligned along a third straight line, in this case parallel to the X axis. According to an exemplary embodiment as shown in the figures, each handle further comprises a hole 328 passing through and extending along an axis parallel to the X axis.

[0041] According to an exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, each fixing zone 32 of the chin guard 30 comprises a torsion spring 38 fixed to the peripheral edge 314 of the housing 312 and against the handle 320 either directly against the handle 320, or by means of the rotation shaft 34 when the latter is fixed relative to the handle 320.

[0042] As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, each fixed part 310 of the fixing interface 32 of the chin guard 30 further comprises a centering device 36 extending from the internal surface 32B along, in this case, an axis parallel to the Y axis.

[0043] In the mounted position of the chin guard 30 on the shell 20 of the protective helmet 10 as shown in figures 2 and 3: each fixing zone 32 of the chin guard 30 is arranged opposite each fixing interface 22 of the shell 20, the central zone 33 of the chin guard 30 is arranged at the front of the shell 20, - the internal surface 32B of the fixed part 310 of each fixing zone 32 of the chin guard 30 bears against the external surface 22A of the outer casing 20A of the shell 20, opposite the corresponding fixing interface 22.

[0044] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the mounted position of the chin guard 30 on the shell 20 of the protective helmet 10, each centering device 36 of the chin guard 30 is received in the corresponding centering hole 26 of the shell 20.

[0045] As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the recess 240 is a blind hole comprising a cavity having a shape complementary to that of the locking hook 326 of the handle 320 of the chin guard 30. The recess 240 thus comprises a first zone open on the outer casing 20A and a second zone forming a cavity extending substantially perpendicular to the first zone, the stop 242 is located between the outer surface of the outer casing 20A and the second zone of the recess 240. According to this exemplary embodiment, the recess 240 is blind so that the first zone forms a blind hole open on the outer surface and the second zone forms a cavity in the cap 20B of the shell 20, open on the blind hole and extending perpendicular to the latter.

[0046] In the locked position of the handle 320 of the chin guard 30 as shown in FIG. 3, the locking hook 326 of the handle 320 of each attachment zone 32 of the chin guard 30 cooperates with the locking element 24 of each attachment interface 22 of the shell 20. More particularly, the locking hook 326 is fitted into the recess 240 and locked by the stop 242 of the locking element 24. In addition, the external surface 320A of the handle 320 is substantially in the same plane as the external surface 32A of the fixed part 310 of the attachment zone 32 of the chin guard 30. The gripping edge 324 of the handle 300 is arranged opposite the peripheral edge 344 of the housing 312 of the fixed part 310.

[0047] In the unlocked position of the handle 320 of the chin guard 30 as shown in FIG. 4, the locking hook 326 of the handle 320 of each fixing zone 32 of the chin guard 30 does not cooperate with the locking element 24 of each fixing interface 22 of the shell 20. More particularly, the locking hook 326 is released from the stop 242 of the locking element 24. In addition, the external surface 320A of the handle 320 offset relative to the external surface 32A of the fixed part 310 of the fixing zone 32 of the chin guard 30 by an angle a greater than zero degrees. The gripping edge 324 of the handle 300 is arranged towards the outside of the chin guard in the direction Y.

[0048] The method of mounting the protective helmet 10 comprises the following steps: - rotation of the two handles 320 relative to the fixed parts 310 of the fixing zones 32 of the chin guard 30, opposite the shell 20, by increasing the angle a formed between the external surface 320A of the handle 320 and the external surface 32A of the fixed part 310 of the fixing zone 32 of the chin guard 30, up to the unlocked position of the handles 320, and - positioning of the chin guard 30 relative to the shell 20 so that each attachment zone 32 of the chin guard is arranged opposite the corresponding attachment interface 22 of the shell 20, - bringing the internal surface 32B of the fixed part 310 of each fixing zone 32 of the chin guard 30 into contact with the external surface 22A of the outer casing 20A of the shell 20, at one of the fixing interfaces 22, until the mounted position of the chin guard 30; in this example, the positioning is carried out by inserting the centering device 36 into the centering hole 26, and - rotation of the two handles 320, simultaneously or one after the other, relative to the fixed parts 310 of the fixing zones 32 of the chin guard 30, towards the shell 20, reducing the angle a, until the locked position of the handle 320.

[0049] The rotation step of the two handles 320 to the locked position is also ensured by the return function of the torsion spring 38 of each fixing zone 32 of the chin strap 30.

[0050] The method of disassembling the protective helmet 10 comprises the following steps: - rotation of the two handles 320 relative to the fixed parts 310 of the fixing zones 32 of the chin guard 30, opposite the shell 20, by increasing the angle a, up to the unlocked position of the handles 320, and - removal of the chin guard 30 relative to the shell 20 to the dismantled position of the chin guard. 30

[0051] The protective helmet 10 according to the invention ensures unlocking and unlocking of the chin guard 30 relative to the shell 20 simplified compared to a protective helmet according to the state of the art. Indeed, the locking of the chin guard 30 is carried out from the outside of the protective helmet 10, by a rotation of the two handles 32 of the chin guard 30 involving the cooperation of at least one locking hook 326 of each handle 320 with a corresponding blocking element 24 of the shell 20. In addition, the unlocking of the chin guard 30 is carried out from the outside of the protective helmet 10, by a rotation of the two chin guard handles 32 involving the release of each locking hook 326 of each handle 320 relative to the corresponding blocking element 24 of the shell 20.The operations of unlocking and locking the chin guard 30 as well as the operations of removing and installing the chin guard 30 relative to the shell 20 can be carried out when the protective helmet 10 is placed on the head of a user, these operations can be carried out by the user of the protective helmet 10 himself or by an external user. Consequently, the shell 20 and the chin guard 30 of the protective helmet 10 have a simple geometry.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Protective helmet (10) comprising: - a shell (20) comprising an external surface (22A) and two lateral fixing interfaces (22) each comprising at least one locking element (24) extending at least as far as the external surface (22A) of the shell (20), - a chin guard (30) removable relative to the shell (20) between a mounted position and a dismounted position and comprising two lateral fixing zones (32), each fixing zone (32) comprising: o a fixed part (310) comprising an internal surface (32B), and o a handle (320) mounted so as to be able to rotate on the fixed part (310) between a locked position and an unlocked position and comprising at least one locking hook (326) and a gripping zone in one piece with the hook, in which: - in the mounted position of the chin guard (30) and in the unlocked position of the handle (320) the internal surface (32B) of the fixed part (310) of each fixing zone (32) of the chin guard (30) bears against the external surface (22A) of the shell (20), at the level of one of the fixing interfaces (22), and - in the mounted position of the chin guard (30) and in the locked position of the handle (320), the locking hook (326) of the handle (320) of each fixing zone (32) of the chin guard (30) cooperates with the locking element (24) of each fixing interface (22) of the shell (20).

2. Protective helmet (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the shell (20) comprises an outer casing (20A) and a cap (20B) arranged to bear against an internal surface of the outer casing (20A), - the outer casing (20A) comprises the outer surface (22A) of the shell (20), and - the cap (20B) comprises the locking element (24) of the fixing interface (22) of the shell (20). [Claim s] Protective helmet (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - the locking element (24) of each fixing interface (22) of the shell (20) comprises a recess (240) and a stop (242), and - in the mounted position of the chin guard (30) and locked position of the handle (320), the locking hook (326) of the handle (320) of each fixing zone (32) of the chin guard (30) is received in the recess (240) and held in position by the stop (242) of the locking element (24).

4. Protective helmet (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the recess (240) has a shape complementary to that of the locking hook (326) of the handle (320) of the chin strap (30). [Claim s] Protective helmet (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - each fixing interface (22) of the shell (20) comprises at least one centering orifice (26), - each fixing zone (32) of the chin guard (30) comprises at least one centering device (36), and - in the mounted position of the chin guard (30) relative to the shell (20), each centering device (36) is received in the corresponding centering hole (26).

6. Protective helmet (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chin guard (30) comprises a rotation shaft (34) forming a pivot connection of the handle (320) relative to the fixed part (310) of the chin guard (30).

7. Protective helmet (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: - each fixing zone (32) of the chin guard (30) comprises a housing (312) delimited by a peripheral edge (314), and the rotation shaft (34) extends into the housing (312) and comprises two ends each mounted in an orifice (316) open on the peripheral edge (314), and - each handle (320) is mounted in one of the housings (312).

8. Protective helmet (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the fixed part (310) of each fixing zone (32) of the chin guard (30) comprises a torsion spring (426) fixed to the peripheral edge (314) of the housing (312) for returning the handle (320) to its locked position.

9. Protective helmet (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chin guard (30) is semi-annular and comprises two lateral end edges (31) each located in the corresponding fixing zone (32), the two fixing zones (32) being connected to each other by a central zone (33).

10. Method of mounting the protective helmet (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - rotation of the two handles (320) relative to the fixed parts (310) of the fixing zones (32) of the chin guard (32) until the unlocked position of the handles (320), and - bringing the internal surface (32B) of the fixed part (310) of each fixing zone (32) of the chin guard (30) into contact with the external surface (22A) of one of the fixing interfaces (22) of the shell (20) until the mounted position of the chin guard (30), and - rotation of each of the two handles (320) relative to the fixed parts (310) of the fixing zones (32) of the chin guard (32) until the locking hook (326) of the handle (320) of each fixing zone (32) of the chin guard (30) cooperates with the locking element (24) of each fixing interface (22) of the shell (20) and until the locked position of the handle (320).

11. Method for dismantling the protective helmet (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - rotation of the two handles (320) relative to the fixed parts (310) of the fixing zones (32) of the chin guard (32) until the unlocked position of the handles (320) according to which the locking hook (326) of the handle (320) of each fixing zone (32) of the chin guard (30) is released relative to the blocking element (24) of each fixing interface (22) of the shell (20), and - removal of the chin guard (30) relative to the shell (20) to the disassembled position of the chin guard (30).

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