An accessory for a helmet

Abstract

The present invention relates to an accessory (100) for a helmet, specifically designed to enhance rider safety, comfort, and visibility while addressing common issues associated with helmet visors. The accessory (100) includes a body (102) with an ocular area (106) that allows the rider to see through, while also providing airflow through strategically placed openings (104), minimising heat buildup, moisture, and fogging. The ocular area can be made from transparent, translucent, or perforated materials and can be equipped with a pinhole effect to improve visual acuity. Additionally, the accessory may include an opening (114) for a straw or cigarette, allowing the rider to consume liquids or smoke without exposing themselves to debris. The accessory connects to the helmet through various fastening mechanisms such as Velcro®, magnetic strips, or clips, and can be either removably or permanently attached. It offers enhanced protection, reduces isolation and air-flow restriction, and may include features like a protective flange or lens for added comfort and functionality.

Description

[0001] AN ACCESSORY FOR A HELMET

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to an accessory for a helmet. The invention further relates to helmet visors. Such visors are particularly applicable to helmets such as motorcycle helmets, bicycle helmets and the like.

[0004] BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

[0005] A motorcycle helmet is a type of helmet used by motorcycle riders and contributes to motorcycle safety by protecting the rider's head in the event of an impact during a collision. They thereby reduce the risk of head injury and death and is prescribed by law in many countries.

[0006] Motorcycle helmets may consist of a polystyrene foam inner shell that absorbs the shock of an impact, and a protective plastic or hard material outer layer. Several variations exist and include helmets that cover the chin area and helmets that do not cover the chin area. Additionally, some helmets provide face shields, sun visors, ear protection or intercom.

[0007] Known helmet face shields or visors have limitations when in use or closed as they fog- up, cause the inside of the helmet to become hot and humid, limits airflow, dulls the rider’s senses, and limits strength and safety and comfort.

[0008] Known motorcycle helmet face shields or visors, while designed to protect the face of the rider, create an array of additional issues, particularly when the visor is closed or in use:

[0009] (a) The heat factor: air flow into the helmet is drastically minimized and the air that remains inside the helmet becomes warm and causes moisture which condenses and cause the rider to sweat. This sweat can enter the eye and cause accidents.

[0010] (b) The moisture factor: The heated air becomes moisture and can fog up the visor which limits the vision of the rider.

[0011] (c) The sound factor: Sounds from outside are reduced thus creating a dangerous situation as the rider cannot hear oncoming traffic, hooting, or any warning sounds.

[0012] (d) Strength and protection factor: known helmets are only as strong as the currently used visors. Current visors are made of a transparent material and do not offer much in the way of protection against larger flying debris and high impact during a collision which can cause the visor to break or dislodge from the helmet exposing the facial area of the rider and causes damage the rider’s face and eye area.

[0013] (e) Isolation factor: When the visor is down, they isolate the rider's senses from the external and creates a mini-encapsulating environment, which can cause the rider to become fatigued and even fall asleep.

[0014] (f) Air-flow restriction factor: known helmet visors restrict the natural breathable air flow to the rider, which can cause the rider to become fatigued and even fall asleep.

[0015] (g) Design or detailing factor: helmets are a work of art and may have designs or pictures on them that are cut short or broken due to the placement of the visor and / or face shield.

[0016] (h) Comfort: Current helmets may be comfortable, but not when the rider must also wear prescribed or medicated glasses. Helmets do not allow for the additional space for the wearers glasses to fit comfortably and thus causes the helmet to be uncomfortable.

[0017] Most of the above obstacles are currently overcome by opening the visor, however thereby creating a dangerous situation as it leaves the rider exposed to debris which can cause a serious accident or, at the very least, serious eye damage or discomfort.

[0018] There is currently no solution to the detailing of the helmet or the additional strength of the helmet as well the comfort of the rider who wears medicated glasses.

[0019] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0020] It is an object of the invention to provide an accessory for a helmet, which provides all the advantages and addresses all the issues and deficiencies described above.

[0021] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0022] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an accessory for a helmet, said device including: a body defining at least one opening operable to allow air to flow therethrough; the body including an ocular area operable for allowing a rider to see therethrough; a connecting means for connecting the device to a helmet.

[0023] In an embodiment of the invention, the ocular area may consist of a solid transparent or translucent material, a perforated material defining at least one opening, or combinations thereof.

[0024] In an embodiment of the invention, the openings may be arranged to create a pinhole effect operable to improve a rider’s visual acuity.

[0025] In an embodiment of the invention, the ocular area may consist of a medicated lens operable to improve the rider’s visual acuity. In an embodiment of the invention, the ocular area is integrally formed with the body.

[0026] In an embodiment, the ocular area may be either removably or permanently attached to the body.

[0027] In an embodiment of the invention, the body defines an opening operable to allow for a straw or cigarette to pass therethrough, the opening operable to be displaceable between an open and closed position.

[0028] In an embodiment, the device may be removably connected to the helmet.

[0029] In this embodiment, the connecting means of the device to the helmet may be provided in any suitable fashion. The connecting means may include, but is not limited to, hook-and-loop material such as Velcro®, magnetic strips, mechanically interlocking features, bolts, clips, and latches, to name a few.

[0030] In an embodiment, the device may be either permanently connected or integrally formed with the helmet.

[0031] In an embodiment of the invention, the device may be used as a primary visor or a secondary visor in addition to a rider’s primary visor.

[0032] In an embodiment of the invention, the body is manufactured from a rigid, strong, and durable material to provide protection against debris.

[0033] In an embodiment, the device is pivotably connectable to a helmet and is operable to be displaced between an open and a closed position.

[0034] In an embodiment of the invention, the device may be modified through the addition of a securing means operable to secure attachment of the device to a rider’s face for use as sunglasses or goggles.

[0035] In this embodiment of the invention, the securing means may include an over- the-ear attachment or head strap.

[0036] In an embodiment of the invention, the device may include one or more hinges operable to allow foldability of the device for improved compactness and storage.

[0037] In an embodiment of the invention, the device may include a flange operable to provide further protection to the rider’s line of sight from the sun or rain.

[0038] In this embodiment of the invention, the flange may be removably connected or integrally formed with the device.

[0039] In this embodiment of the invention, the flange may be curved and may consist of a transparent, translucent, or opaque material.

[0040] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] These and other features of this invention will become apparent from the following description of one example described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0042] Figure 1 shows an accessory for a helmet in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

[0043] Figure 2 shows a front view of an accessory for a helmet in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0044] Figure 3 shows a front view of an accessory for a helmet in use in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0045] Figure 4 shows an accessory for a helmet in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognise that many changes can be made to the embodiment described, while still attaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be attained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilising other features. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognise that modifications and adaptions to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and limitation thereof.

[0047] In Figure 1 , an accessory for a helmet, is generally described with reference to numeral 100.

[0048] The accessory 100 includes a body 102 defining openings 104 operable to allow air to pass therethrough. The openings 104 work as a filter, allowing air to pass freely through the body 102 and into a helmet (not shown), but prevents any dust or debris from passing through. The openings 104 will further eliminate the need for ventilation openings on the helmet, which assist in causing a loss of structural strength of the helmet, therefore improving the overall strength and structural integrity of the helmet.

[0049] The openings 104 may be placed as closely together as necessary to allow a rider to enjoy a clear, uninterrupted view of the outside scenery as it does not obstruct the rider’s view and still block debris.

[0050] The openings 104 may be of any shape and size as required and may also be shaped and sized to create a pinhole effect. This effect is similar to wearing medicated glasses and thus the wearer of the helmet may eliminate the need to wear medicated glasses and thus increases comfort to the rider.

[0051] The body 102 further includes an ocular area 106 operable for allowing a rider to see therethrough, to prevent fine dust particles, or insects from reaching the eye area and causing an accident, eye injury, or discomfort. The ocular area 106 is aligned with a rider's eyes when the visor is in use. The ocular area 106 may consist of a solid transparent material 108, a solid translucent material 110, a perforated material 112, or a combination thereof.

[0052] The ocular area 106 is integrally formed with the body 102, however, the ocular area 106 may be either be removably or permanently attached to the body 102.

[0053] The body 102 further defines an opening 114 operable to allow for a straw or cigarette to pass therethrough, the opening 114 operable to be displaceable between an open and closed position.

[0054] The opening 114 allows the rider to pass an object such as a straw or possibly a cigarette through the opening 114 to grant access to liquids or a cigarette without having to lift the accessory 100 and expose the rider to flying debris.

[0055] The device 100 further includes a connecting means 116 for connecting the device to a helmet. The connecting means 116 may be provided in any suitable fashion. The connecting means may include, but is not limited to, hook-and-loop material such as Velcro®, magnetic strips, mechanically interlocking features, bolts, clips, and latches, to name a few.

[0056] The ocular area 106 may similarly be attached to the body 102 in any suitable fashion, including but not limited to those mentioned above.

[0057] The body 102 may be constructed from a rigid, strong, and durable material such as steel alloys, titanium, or alternatively from a strong, durable, and flexible material such as plastic.

[0058] The inside surface of the device 100 facing the rider may be any colour, however, a darker colour may assist in creating a tinting effect on the rider’s view as it will absorb more light. A matte or non-gloss finish on the surface is preferable as it will have the added benefit of reducing glare.

[0059] The outside surface of the device 100 facing away from the rider may be any colour. It may even be decorated with a logo or design. This offers a solution to the detailing and design of the helmet's artwork, as the artwork can continue over the entire surface of the helmet, including the visor.

[0060] Figure 2, an accessory for a helmet is generally described with reference to numeral 200.

[0061] Figure 3, an accessory for a helmet, in use, is generally described with reference to numeral 300.

[0062] Figure 4, an accessory for a helmet is generally described with reference to numeral 400.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An accessory for a helmet, the accessory including: a body defining at least one opening operable to allow air to flow therethrough; the body including an ocular area operable for allowing a rider to see therethrough; a connecting means for connecting the device to a helmet.

2. The accessory as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the ocular area may consist of a solid transparent material or solid translucent material or a perforated material or combinations thereof.

3. The accessory as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the openings may be arranged to create a pinhole effect operable to improve a rider’s visual acuity.

4. The accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ocular area may consist of a medicated lens operable to improve the rider’s visual acuity.

5. The accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ocular area may be integrally formed with the body or removably attached or permanently attached to the body.

6. The accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the body includes a transparent or translucent lens, and wherein the lens covers at least the ocular area, and is removably or permanently connected to the body.

7. The accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the body defines at least one opening operable to allow for an object to pass therethrough, the opening operable to be displaceable between an open and closed position.

8. The accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the accessory may be removably connected to the helmet or permanently connected or integrally formed with the helmet.

9. The accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the connecting means of the accessory to the helmet may be provided in any suitable fashion. The connecting means may include, but is not limited to, hook-and-loop material such as Velcro®, magnetic strips, magnets, mechanically interlocking features, bolts, clips, and latches, to name a few.

10. The accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the accessory may be pivotably connectable to a helmet and operable to be displaced between an open and a closed position.11 . The accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the accessory is used as either a primary visor or a secondary visor in addition to a rider’s primary visor.

12. The accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the body consists of one or more layers, wherein the layers may consist of different materials.

13. The accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the body may be manufactured from a rigid, strong, and durable, or flexible material or combinations thereof to provide protection against debris and impact.

14. The accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the accessory may be modified through the addition of a securing means operable to secure attachment of the accessory to a rider’s face for use as sunglasses or goggles.

15. The accessory as claimed in claim 14, wherein the securing means may include an over-the-ear attachment or head strap.

16. The accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the accessory may include one or more hinges operable to allow foldability of the accessory for improved compactness and storage.

17. The accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the accessorymay include a flange operable to provide further protection to the rider’s line of sight from the sun or rain.

18. The accessory as claimed in claim 17, wherein the flange may be removably connected or permanently connected or integrally formed with the accessory, and wherein the flange may be curved.

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