Bicycle helmet

Abstract

Provided is a bicycle helmet with which both excellent breathability and excellent protection performance can be achieved by preventing degradation in strength and by improving breathability. This bicycle helmet comprises a shell layer 2 and an inner layer 3. A plurality of through-holes 4 are formed which penetrate the inner layer 3 and the shell layer 2 in the thickness direction thereof. A frame member 8 is embedded in the inner layer 3. The frame member 8 includes: a first frame part 10 having a shape such that the first frame part surrounds the periphery of a human head; a second frame part 11 which has a shape such that the second frame part rises in an arch shape from the first frame part 10 and which has two ends connected at locations on the first frame part 10 that face each other; and a third frame part 12 extending in the front-rear direction and having a front end connected to the first frame part 10 and a rear end connected to the second frame part 11.

Description

Bicycle helmet

[0001] The present invention relates to bicycle helmets.

[0002] In recent years, it has become common to wear bicycle helmets as a safety measure not only when riding road bikes or mountain bikes, but also when riding normally, such as commuting to work or school.

[0003] Conventionally, this type of bicycle helmet has a relatively hard shell and an inner layer that covers the head inside the shell and absorbs impacts. Some bicycle helmets of this type not only provide high head protection but also have a cooling function (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

[0004] JP 2023-59843 A

[0005] Conventional bicycle helmets have multiple through holes that penetrate the shell and inner layers in the thickness direction to cool the head, allowing hot air to escape easily between the head and the helmet body, providing comfort through ventilation.

[0006] However, multiple through holes have the disadvantage of reducing the strength of the shell layer and the inner layer. To prevent this, it is possible to reduce the number and size of the through holes, but this reduces breathability and prevents a sufficient cooling effect on the head. Thus, with conventional bicycle helmet structures, it has been difficult to achieve both sufficient breathability and high protection.

[0007] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle helmet that can prevent a decrease in strength, improve breathability, and achieve both high breathability and high protective performance.

[0008] In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a bicycle helmet comprising a shell layer covering the outer surface, and an inner layer that is formed thicker than the shell layer and comes into contact with a person's head inside the shell layer, and having a plurality of through holes that penetrate the inner layer and the shell layer in the thickness direction, wherein a frame member is embedded in the inner layer, and the helmet is also provided with an air tunnel that is formed in the inner layer and penetrates the inner layer from front to rear, and a communication hole that communicates with a part of the air tunnel and opens on the inner surface side of the inner layer that faces the person's head.

[0009] According to the present invention, not only can the ventilation tunnel ensure airflow inside the inner layer, but also a portion of the air flowing through the ventilation tunnel can be supplied between the head and the inner layer through the communication holes, thereby improving the cooling effect on the head.

[0010] In the present invention, the frame member is characterized by comprising a first frame portion shaped to surround the periphery of a human head, a second frame portion shaped to rise in an arch shape from the first frame portion and having both ends connected to the first frame portion at positions facing each other, and a third frame portion extending in the front-to-rear direction and having a front end connected to the first frame portion and a rear end connected to the second frame portion.

[0011] According to the present invention, the frame member is embedded in the inner layer, which improves the strength of the bicycle helmet. Therefore, it is possible to provide multiple through holes without reducing the strength, and it is possible to provide a bicycle helmet that combines sufficient breathability with high protection performance.

[0012] The present invention is characterized in that protruding block bodies are provided at predetermined positions on each of the first frame portion, the second frame portion, and the third frame portion.

[0013] According to the present invention, since block bodies are provided at predetermined positions of each frame section, it is possible to prevent the frame members from moving unintentionally inside the inner layer, and it is possible to construct the inner layer and the frame members as an integral unit.

[0014] In addition, in the present invention, the through hole is formed in the shape of a slit extending in the front-to-rear direction, and another frame member separate from the frame member is provided, and the other frame member is formed in a shape that extends in an arch shape in the left-to-right direction across the through hole.

[0015] According to the present invention, by providing another frame member, it is possible to prevent the through holes in the left and right directions from becoming unstable, and it is possible to dramatically improve the strength of the inner layer.

[0016] The present invention relates to a bicycle helmet, and more particularly to a bicycle helmet having a frame member, a helmet having a frame that is formed of a material that is not particularly limited, and a bicycle helmet having a frame member that is formed of a material that is not particularly limited, and more particularly to a bicycle helmet having a frame ...

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, a bicycle helmet 1 of this embodiment has a shell layer 2 covering the outer surface. An inner layer 3 is provided inside the shell layer 2, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0018] The shell layer 2 is made of a relatively thin, hard synthetic resin (e.g., ABS resin, etc.), while the inner layer 3 is made of a lightweight synthetic resin (e.g., expanded polystyrene) with shock absorption properties and is thicker than the shell layer 2.

[0019] 1 and 2, a plurality of through holes 4 are formed in the bicycle helmet 1, penetrating the shell layer 2 and the inner layer in the thickness direction. Each through hole 4 extends from the front to the rear.

[0020] The formation of through holes 4 ensures breathability, reducing stuffiness when wearing bicycle helmet 1, and in particular, provides a high cooling effect due to the airflow generated when riding a bicycle. Furthermore, through holes 4 also reduce the weight of bicycle helmet 1.

[0021] 1 and 3, the inner layer 3 has a ventilation tunnel 5 formed therein that penetrates from the front to the rear. The ventilation tunnel 5 allows air to pass from the front to the rear when the bicycle is riding, thereby reducing air resistance when riding.

[0022] A communication hole 6 that opens facing the head is formed on the inner surface of a part (top portion) of the ventilation tunnel 5. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, a groove-shaped ventilation guide path 7 that continues to the opening of the communication hole 6 is formed on the inner surface (head side) of the inner layer 3.

[0023] By providing the communication holes 6, the airflow passing through the ventilation tunnel 5 can encourage the generation of airflow between the head and the inner layer 3. Furthermore, by forming the ventilation guide paths 7, even if the air flow direction is bent between the ventilation tunnel 5 and the communication holes 6, the ventilation between the head and the inner layer 3 can be dramatically improved by guiding the airflow through the ventilation guide paths 7. Furthermore, by providing the ventilation tunnel 5, communication holes 6, and ventilation guide paths 7, the weight of the bicycle helmet 1 is dramatically reduced compared to when only through holes 4 are provided.

[0024] By providing the through holes 4, ventilation tunnels 5, communication holes 6, and ventilation guide paths 7, the breathability of the bicycle helmet 1 can be improved and the weight can be reduced, but on the other hand, the strength of the bicycle helmet 1 may be reduced.

[0025] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4 (and Figure 5), a plurality of (two in this embodiment) frame members (main frame member 8, sub-frame member 9) are provided. The main frame member 8 and the sub-frame member 9 in this embodiment correspond to the frame member and the other frame member in the present invention, respectively.

[0026] First, we will explain the main frame member 8. The main frame member 8 is entirely embedded in the inner layer 3 and includes an annular frame portion 10, horizontal frame portions 11, and vertical frame portions 12. The annular frame portion 10, horizontal frame portions 11, and vertical frame portions 12 in this embodiment correspond to the first frame portion, second frame portion, and third frame portion in the present invention, respectively.

[0027] The annular frame portion 10 is formed in a shape that surrounds the periphery of the human head, and is embedded in a position near the lower end of the inner layer 3.

[0028] The horizontal frame portion 11 extends laterally in an arched shape above the annular frame portion 10. Both ends of the horizontal frame portion 11 are connected to opposing positions of the annular frame portion 10. That is, one end of the horizontal frame portion 11 is connected to one of the left and right sides of the annular frame portion 10, and the other end of the horizontal frame portion 11 is connected to the other of the left and right sides of the annular frame portion 10.

[0029] The vertical frame portion 12 is located between the front side of the annular frame portion 10 and the horizontal frame portion 11 and extends in the vertical direction (front-to-rear direction). That is, the front end of the vertical frame portion 12 is connected to the front part of the annular frame portion 10 and the rear end is connected to the horizontal frame portion 11. As shown in Fig. 5, a plurality of vertical frame portions 12 may be provided, and although not shown, a plurality of annular frame portions 10 and a plurality of horizontal frame portions 11 may also be provided as appropriate.

[0030] 4 (and 5), a plurality of block bodies 13 are integrally formed on the main frame member 8. The block bodies 13 are provided at predetermined positions on the annular frame portion 10, the horizontal frame portion 11, and the vertical frame portion 12. Specifically, these include the rear side of the annular frame portion 10, the connecting portion between the horizontal frame portion 11 and the vertical frame portion 12, and the connecting portion between the annular frame portion 10 and the vertical frame portion 12.

[0031] The block body 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape with its axis facing outward, which allows it to absorb external impacts. Furthermore, the block body 13 prevents the main frame member 8 from accidentally moving inside the inner layer 3, and also prevents the reinforcement of the inner layer 3 from being reduced.

[0032] Next, we will explain the sub-frame member 9. As shown in Figure 4 (and Figure 5), the sub-frame member 9 is a separate member from the main frame member 8, and has a band-like arch shape, and as shown in Figures 1 and 4, it extends across the through hole 4 (in a direction intersecting with the vertical frame portion 12).

[0033] Although a portion of the sub-frame member 9 is exposed at the through-hole 4, the sub-frame member 9 does not impede the breathability of the through-hole 4. By being provided across the through-hole 4, the sub-frame member 9 can, for example, prevent the through-hole 4 from expanding laterally, and the strength of the inner layer 3 can be dramatically improved.

[0034] The sub-frame member 9 also has a bending avoidance section 14 that bends to avoid the ventilation tunnel 5. The bending avoidance section 14 of the sub-frame member 9 is formed to be longer and thinner than the other sections and is not exposed in the ventilation tunnel 5, so it does not impede the flow of air in the ventilation tunnel 5 at all.

[0035] Furthermore, the sub-frame member 9 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 15 that protrude in the front-rear direction, thereby making it possible to reliably maintain the state of being integrally embedded in the inner layer 3 .

[0036] The frame members and other frame members of the present invention are not limited to the shapes of the main frame member 8 and the sub-frame member 9 described above, and may be modified within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the materials (compositions) of each part of the bicycle helmet of the present invention may be selected as appropriate within the scope of the object of the present invention.

[0037] 1...bicycle helmet, 2...shell layer, 3...inner layer, 4...through hole, 5...ventilation tunnel, 6...communicating hole, 8...main frame member (frame member), 9...sub-frame member (other frame member), 10...annular frame portion (first frame portion), 11...horizontal frame portion (second frame portion), 12...vertical frame portion (third frame portion), 13...block body.

Claims

1. A bicycle helmet comprising a shell layer covering the outer surface, and an inner layer that is thicker than the shell layer and comes into contact with a person's head inside the shell layer, and having a plurality of through holes that penetrate the inner layer and the shell layer in the thickness direction, wherein a frame member is embedded in the inner layer, and the bicycle helmet is also characterized by having an air tunnel formed in the inner layer that penetrates the inner layer from front to rear, and a communication hole that communicates with part of the air tunnel and opens on the inner surface side of the inner layer that faces the person's head.

2. A bicycle helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame member comprises a first frame section shaped to surround a human head, a second frame section shaped to rise in an arch from the first frame section and having both ends connected to the first frame section at opposing positions, and a third frame section extending in the front-to-rear direction and having a front end connected to the first frame section and a rear end connected to the second frame section.

3. A bicycle helmet according to claim 2, characterized in that protruding blocks are provided at predetermined positions on each of the first frame portion, second frame portion, and third frame portion.

4. A bicycle helmet as described in claim 1, wherein the through hole is formed as a slit extending in the front-to-rear direction, and the bicycle helmet is provided with another frame member separate from the frame member, and the other frame member is formed in an arch-like shape extending in the left-to-right direction across the through hole.

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