helmet

Abstract

Helmet (1) comprising a shell (2) comprising a top portion (2A) and a lateral portion (2B) that surrounds the top portion (2A) and from the top portion (2A) extends towards an edge (2C) of the shell (2); a top energy‐absorbing component (3) placed inside the shell (2), in correspondence of the top portion (2A) of the shell (2), so that an outer face (21) of top energy‐absorbing component (3) is at least in part in contact with an inner surface (12) of the shell (2); a lateral energy‐absorbing component (4) placed inside the shell (2), in correspondence of the lateral portion (2B) of the shell (2), so that an outer face (22) of lateral energy‐absorbing component (4) is at least in part in contact with the inner surface (12) of the shell (2); a cradle (5), shaped for receiving a portion of a user's head (30); wherein the top energy‐absorbing component (3) is arranged between the shell (2) and the cradle (5); wherein the top energy‐absorbing component (3) has a compressive strength in a direction normal to the outer face (21) of the top energy‐absorbing component (3) that is lower than the compressive strength of lateral energy‐absorbing component (4) in a direction normal to the outer face (22) of the lateral energy‐absorbing component (4); and wherein the top energy‐ absorbing component (3) is thicker than the lateral energy‐absorbing component (4) and between the cradle (5) and an inner face (24) of the lateral energy‐absorbing component (4) a gap (G) is realized that separates the cradle (5) from the lateral component (4).

Description

P134W0TITLEHELMETDESCRIPTIONTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of helmets with cellular energy-absorbing structures. In particular, the present invention relates to helmets using layered structures. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to the industrial helmets.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In the state of the art are known helmets with an energy-absorbing structure arranged in the top area of the helmet to absorb impact energy deriving from items, e.g. a hammer or a brick, that fall from high.

[0003] In the same manner, in the state of the art industrial helmets that protect from lateral impacts are known. In general these helmets have a polymeric foam liner arranged inside the shell.

[0004] Moreover, helmet solutions using cellular energy-absorbing structures are known. These kinds of structures have excellent properties in terms of impact energy absorption with respect to traditional helmets having only hard shells and foam materials.

[0005] An example in this sense is disclosed in the document EP4082373A1 which relates to a solution wherein a cellular liner is connected, through connecting plugs, to a shell or to a foam liner that in turn is connected to the shell. This solution aims to reduce to tangential acceleration of the head during an oblique impact, by allowing a relative movement between the cellular liner and the foam liner or the shell. In this helmet, when the cellular liner is paired with a foam liner, the cellular liner is encased in a pocket of the foam liner, and both liners are coplanar on the inner side. Therefore, the cellular liner and the foam liner simultaneously begin to absorb the energy of an impact. This feature could represent a flaw in a helmet that must absorb more energy during vertical impacts than during lateral impacts.

[0006] For example, standards ANSI Z89.1-2014 (Type II) or CSA Z94.1 (Type 2) prescribe impact tests on the crown and lateral areas of the headgear. The crown area is the top area of the shell, while lateral area is the area around the top area. The impact test on the crown area prescribes an impact energy that is almost double the energy of the impact test on the lateral areas. Whilst both standards prescribe quite similar tests, they CSA Z94.1 requires a maximum deceleration of the headP134W0 of less than 85G. A pass / fa i I threshold that is much lower than that of ANSI Z89.1. Therefore, in the work / industrial helmet field, there is an urgent need to find a way to pass both of these high-level standard tests with one simple and cost-effective helmet solution.

[0007] Another solution related to an industrial helmet is described in the document EP3818900A1, which describes a helmet comprising a protective body including a base element arranged inside a shell and a protective insert arranged inside a housing cavity realized in the top portion of the base element. The insert is made up of an energy-absorbing material having a density that is lower than the density of the material of the base element. Similarly to previous solution, even in this solution the insert has a shape that is complementary to that of the base element, therefore when the helmet receives a vertical impact, the head simultaneously compresses the base element and the insert. This creates a peak stress on the user's head, despite the low density of the insert, preventing the helmet from passing the aforementioned standards. This design fails to separate the energyabsorption effects of the insert from those of the base element, resulting in an inefficient combination of their effects during a vertical impact on the helmet. Another solution having the same drawback is described in the document EP4289304, in which an inner liner has various members having different densities, but these members are internally coplanar to form a protective liner having a continuous almost ovoidal inner surface shaped like the user's head. Consequently, when the shell receives an impact, all members are compressed at the same time between the shell and the user's head.

[0008] None of the available solutions provides an industrial helmet comprising an inner energy absorbing structure that is able to progressively and efficiently absorb a great vertical impact energy without transmitting a high peak stress to the user's head whilst simultaneously absorbing the prescribed lateral impacts. Moreover, none of the available solutions solve the above problems with a solution that is easy to assemble, cheap to realize and durable during helmet normal use.SUMMARY

[0009] Said and other drawbacks of the state of the art are now solved by a helmet comprising a shell, a top energy-absorbing component, a lateral energy-absorbing component and a cradle. The shell comprises a top portion and a lateral portion that surrounds the top portion and from the top portion extends towards the edge of the shell. The top energy-absorbing component is placed inside the shell in correspondence of the top portion of the shell so that an outer face of top energyabsorbing component is at least in part in contact with an inner surface of the shell. The lateralP134W0 energy-absorbing component is placed inside the shell in correspondence of the lateral portion of the shell so that an outer face of lateral energy-absorbing component is at least in part in contact with the inner surface of the shell. The cradle is shaped for receiving a portion of a user's head. The top energy-absorbing component is arranged between the shell and the cradle. Preferably the cradle is arranged on an inner face of the top energy-absorbing component, that is opposite to its outer face. Alternatively, the cradle is not arranged on an inner face of the top energy-absorbing component. In particular, the top energy-absorbing component is thicker than the lateral energyabsorbing component. A gap is realized between the cradle and an inner face of the lateral energyabsorbing component. This gap, that is preferably an empty space, separates the cradle from the lateral component. The design of the top energy-absorbing component, in relation to the lateral energy-absorbing component, allows for only the top component to compress during the initial phase of a vertical impact on the shell. As the top component crushes, the cradle and the user's head reach the lateral energy-absorbing component. The cradle is initially separated from the lateral energy-absorbing component in an inside out direction. During the impact, the top energyabsorbing component is compressed, and its thickness decreases thus reducing also the gap that initially separates the cradle from the lateral energy-absorbing component, until this gap ceases to exist. By this point, a large part of the vertical impact energy has already been absorbed by the top component. As a result, no stress peak is felt by the user, and the helmet is able to meet the more demanding standards on the market. The top energy-absorbing component has a compressive strength, in a direction normal to the outer face of the top energy-absorbing component, that is lower than the compressive strength of lateral energy-absorbing component, in a direction normal to the outer face of the lateral energy-absorbing component. The compressive strength of the lateral energy-absorbing component, in a direction normal to the outer face of the lateral energyabsorbing component, is the average compressive strength of elements forming the lateral energyabsorbing component, in a direction normal to their outer faces. In the same way, the compressive strength of the top energy-absorbing component, in a direction normal to the outer face of the top energy-absorbing component, is the average compressive strength of elements forming the top energy-absorbing component, in a direction normal to their outer faces. The compressive strength is substantially measured in an out-of-plane direction. When the compressive strength of the top energy-absorbing component in a direction normal to its outer face is lower than the compressive strength of lateral energy-absorbing component in a direction normal to its outer face, the top energy-absorbing component easily crumples, avoiding peaks of stress on the user's head during aP134W0 vertical impact on the shell. Consequently, the initial peak of energy due to the vertical impact is absorbed only through the top energy-absorbing component and the rest of impact energy is absorbed through both the top and lateral energy-absorbing components.

[0010] Preferably, the lateral energy-absorbing component can be shaped so as to hold the top energy-absorbing component. In this manner the top energy-absorbing component remains in position during the use of the helmet without the need for a retainer that keeps in position the top energy-absorbing component.

[0011] Moreover, the top energy-absorbing component can be smaller, in term of width, than the lateral energy-absorbing component. Consequently, the compressive load applied by the cradle on the top energy-absorbing during a vertical impact is concentrated on a small area and the pressure on the inner face of the top energy-absorbing component applied by the cradle increases, thus facilitating its crushing.

[0012] Preferably, the top energy-absorbing component can be made of a cellular energy-absorbing material. This material allows for greater energy absorption during a compression. In particular, the crumpling of the cells of the cellular material allows it to absorb more energy for the same level of compression compared to traditional energy-absorbing materials made from polymeric foams. Additionally, the cellular material performs better in both high and low temperatures, resulting in improved long-term performance.

[0013] In particular, the cellular energy-absorbing material can comprise a plurality of interconnected open cells configured to absorb energy by plastic deformation in response to a compressive load longitudinally applied to said cells. Plastic deformation is irreversible and thus leaves a trace that helmet experienced an impact. This allows a substitution of the cellular material if required. Preferably each cell has a longitudinal axis that is substantially normal to an inner surface of the shell. In this manner the cellular material is optimized to absorb impacts that occur orthogonally to the shell.

[0014] Neighbour cells can be connected to each other through their sidewalls and the sidewall of each cell defines a tube, preferably a discrete tube. Cells form discrete or partially discrete tubes. In this manner, each cell absorbs more energy than a cell that shares the sidewall with another cell. Indeed, if two connected sidewalls are involved in a longitudinal compression, they absorb more energy when they crumple, because also their sidewalls connection has to break / deform during compression.P134W0

[0015] Advantageously, the lateral energy-absorbing component can be at least in part made of a polymeric foam. The lateral impacts on an industrial helmet are less frequent. It's more usual that something falls and hits the top portion of the shell. In any case, even if they are less frequent, lateral impacts are efficiently absorbed by the lateral energy-absorbing component made of foam.

[0016] Preferably, the lateral energy-absorbing component can comprise at least one insert made of the cellular energy-absorbing material. In this manner, the insert / s can be arranged inside the lateral energy-absorbing component made of foam and positioned where the stronger lateral impacts can occur. Since, the cellular energy-absorbing material absorbs more energy than foam material for the same thickness, these stronger lateral impacts are absorbed more efficiently.

[0017] Advantageously, the lateral energy-absorbing component can comprise a lower part and an upper part that are separated and shaped to fit together, forming the complete lateral energyabsorbing component. This design facilitates the assembly of the helmet and reduces manufacturing costs, as producing smaller pieces is more economical. For example, when the lateral energyabsorbing component is made of foam, smaller pieces mean smaller mould, that are cheaper and easily to handle.

[0018] In particular, the upper part and the lower part can be shaped so that, when the lower part is placed inside the shell, the upper part is at least in part stacked between the lower part and the shell. This arrangement of elements means that, when the lower part is arranged inside the shell, the upper part remains locked between the lower part and the shell, thus simplifying the stabilization of the elements inside the helmet.

[0019] Preferably, the upper part can be shaped to lock the top energy-absorbing component to the inner surface of the shell when the upper part is placed inside the shell. This form of the upper part allows to push the top energy-absorbing component against the inner surface of the shell when the outer face of the upper part is in contact with the inner surface of the shell.

[0020] Advantageously, the lower part can comprise at least one aperture shaped to fix the at least one insert to the inner surface of the shell, when the lower part is place inside the shell. This form of the lower part allows to push the insert against the inner surface of the shell when the outer face of the lower part is in contact with the inner surface of the shell.

[0021] In particular, the cradle can be fixed to the lateral energy-absorbing component through flexible supports that are configured to flex when a compression load is applied between the shell and cradle. The supports keep the cradle spaced from the lateral energy-absorbing component preventing the cradle from getting close to the lateral energy-absorbing component during a verticalP134W0 impact. Alternatively, the cradle can be fixed directly to the top energy-absorbing component. In a further alternative, the cradle can be fixed to the shell.

[0022] In particular, the lateral energy-absorbing component can be fixed to the shell. Fixing the lateral energy-absorbing component to the shell, the lateral energy-absorbing component in turn fixes the top energy-absorbing component to the shell.

[0023] Advantageously, the cradle can be wider than the top energy-absorbing component and can laterally overhang from the top energy-absorbing component. This form of the cradle allows greater coverage of the user's head. Therefore, the helmet remains more stable on the user's head.

[0024] Between the cradle and the lateral energy-absorbing component an empty space that surrounds the top energy-absorbing component is defined. This empty space guarantees that the cradle can freely move towards the shell, when the top energy-absorbing component is compressed by the impact, before reaching the lateral energy-absorbing component.

[0025] These and other advantages will be better understood thanks to the following description of different embodiments of said invention given as non-limitative examples thereof, making reference to the annexed drawings.DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION

[0026] In the drawings:Fig. 1 shows a cross-section view according to a longitudinal-vertical plane of the helmet according to the present invention;Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-section view according to a longitudinal-vertical plane of the helmet according to the present invention;Fig. 3 shows an isometric view of the helmet according to the present invention viewed from below; Fig. 4 shows a bottom view of the helmet according to the present invention;Fig. 5 shows an isometric exploded view of the inner core of the helmet according to the present invention;Fig. 6 shows an isometric view of the inner core of the helmet according to the present invention viewed from below;Fig. 7 shows an isometric view of the helmet according to the present invention viewed from above; Fig. 8 shows an isometric view of the cradle, the top energy-absorbing component and the upper part of the lateral energy-absorbing component of the helmet according to the present invention;P134W0Fig. 9 shows an isometric exploded view of part of the lateral energy-absorbing component of the helmet according to the present invention;Fig. 10 shows a schematic cross-section view according to a longitudinal-vertical plane of a particular embodiment of the helmet according to the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following description of one or more embodiments of the invention refers to the annexed drawings. The same reference numbers indicate equal or similar parts. The object of the protection is defined by the annexed claims. Technical details, structures or characteristics of the solutions here-below described can be combined with each other in any suitable way.

[0028] With the reference number 1 is represented a helmet, in particular an industrial helmet, also called safety helmet, work helmet or hard hat.

[0029] In the present description, for sake of conciseness, the term "top energy-absorbing component" can be abbreviated with "top component" and, similarly, the term "lateral energyabsorbing component" can be abbreviated with "lateral component". Also the term "cellular energy-absorbing material" can be abbreviated to "cellular material".

[0030] This industrial helmet 1 has four main components, as depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, a shell 2, a top energy-absorbing component 3, a lateral energy-absorbing component and a cradle 5.

[0031] The top energy-absorbing component 3, the lateral energy-absorbing component 4 and the cradle 5 form an inner core 20 of the helmet 1. The inner core 20 is a group of elements that can be arranged inside the shell 2 as described in detail in the following.

[0032] The inner core 20 absorbs the impact energy received by the shell 2, ensuring that the least possible amount of energy is transferred to the user's head 30. Additionally, the inner core 20 facilitates the proper positioning of the helmet 1 on the user's head 30.

[0033] In particular, the helmet 1 is positioned over the user's head 30 thanks to the cradle 5. The cradle 5 is a reticular element with a concave-shape that receives the top portion of the user's head 30.

[0034] In order to laterally stabilize the helmet 1 over the user's head 30, a lateral retaining system 19, which is fixed to the shell 2 and touch the halo portion of the user's head 30, can be present. The lateral retaining system 19 can comprises strips / webs that stabilize the helmet 1 on the user's head 30.P134W0

[0035] The cradle 5 is shaped to lay on the top portion of the user's head 30 and in case of a vertical impact, the impact force F moves the shell 2 towards the cradle 5 and the top energy-absorbing component 3, that is arranged between the shell 2 and the cradle 5, compresses.

[0036] If the top energy-absorbing component 3 is a cellular material, as shown in Figs. 1, 3-6 and 8, the cells 6 of the cellular material progressively buckle, thus absorbing a great amount of the impact force F. Alternatively, the top component 3 can be made of a polymeric foam material like EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) or EPP (Expanded Polypropylene).

[0037] In order to maximize the energy absorbed by the cellular material, almost all longitudinal axes L of the cells 6 are normal or substantially normal to the inner surface 12 of the shell 2, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0038] The cellular material performs better than traditional foam or hard materials in terms of energy-absorption, in particular in terms of absorption of compressive impact energy. The cellular material is made of a plurality of interconnected open cells 6. These cells 6 are configured to absorb energy by plastic deformation in response to a longitudinal compressive load.

[0039] Each cell 6 comprises or define a tube having a sidewall 7 and a longitudinal axis L. The cells 6 are interconnected via their sidewalls 7.

[0040] The cells 6 of the cellular material are preferably tubes, in particular discrete tubes. The tubes depicted in the figures have circular cross-sections. Alternatively, the cross-section of the cells / tubes 8 can be a square, a hexagon, a non-uniform hexagon, a re-entrant hexagon, a chiral truss, a diamond, a triangle or an arrowhead. In particular, the cross-section of the cells / tubes 6 can be shaped so that the cellular material exhibits monoclastic, anticlastic or synclastic behaviour. Alternatively, the cells 6 can be the cells of a lattice structure.

[0041] The cells 6 can be welded to each other through their sidewalls 7. Alternatively, the cells 6 can be bonded by means of adhesive layers interposed between adjacent sidewalls 7. The cells 6 can be connected so as to minimize the gap between adjacent tubes. Alternatively, the cells 6 can be monolithically extruded or 3D printed so as to share sidewalls.

[0042] When the cells 6 have a circular cross-section, the outer diameter of the circular crosssection can range between 2,5 and 8 mm, and the wall thickness of said cells 8 can range between 0,05 and 0,3 mm. According to these dimensional values, the energy absorbed by the cellular material is optimized. Furthermore, these values allow to achieve a very light cellular material.

[0043] The top component 3 has a thickness that ranges between 20 and 60 mm.P134W0

[0044] The thickness T' of the top component 3 is greater than the thickness T" of the lateral component 4. Since the thickness of the top and / or lateral component 3,4 can be not constant, the average thickness of the top component 3 is greater than the average thickness of the lateral component 4.

[0045] In particular, the lateral component 4 has a thickness that is substantially constant, as shown in Fig. 2, in this way, the lateral component 4 assumes a shape that externally fits with the inner surface 12 of the shell 2 and internally defines a concave shape able to receive the user's head 30.

[0046] Since both the top energy-absorbing component 3 and the lateral energy-absorbing component 4 are in contact with the inner surface 12 of the shell 2, the thickness T',T" of both is measured as the distance of their inner faces 23,24 from the inner surface 12 of the shell 2 where the top and lateral components 3,4 are in contact with each other, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0047] The top component 3 protrudes inward more than the lateral component 4. This difference of thickness is measured where the top component 3 is flanked to the lateral component 4.

[0048] The user's head 30 is consequently separated from the lateral component 4, at least near the top portion 2A of the shell 2, until the shell 2 does not receive a vertical impact.

[0049] The cradle 5 is positioned below the top component 3 and preferably touches it. The cradle 5 is positioned on the inner face 23 of the top component 3, thus on the face of the top component 3 that is opposite to the outer face 21 of the top component 3 that is in contact with the inner surface 12 of the shell 2.

[0050] Being the top component 3 thicker than the lateral component 4, between the cradle 5 and the inner face 24 of the lateral component 4 a gap G is realized, as shown in Fig. 2. This gap G is an empty space that separates the cradle 5 from the lateral component 4, in an inside-out direction.

[0051] In this manner, when a vertical impact occurs and the impact force F compresses the top component 3, the cradle 5 enters in contact with the lateral component 4 only when the top component 3 is almost completely crumpled and said gap G is eliminated.

[0052] Before a vertical impact happens, the top component 3 inwardly protrudes more than the lateral component 4 and consequently between the inner face 24 of the lateral component 4 and the inner face 23 of the top component 3 a step is realized, as shown in Fig. 1 and 2. The inner face 23 of the top component 3 is thus more inside the helmet than the inner face 24 of the lateral component 4 in the zenith portion of the helmet 1.P134W0

[0053] Observing the helmet 1 from inside, the top component 4 seems a tooth that cantilevers with respect to the rest of the helmet 1 and in particular with respect to the lateral component 3. The lateral and top components 3,4 do not define a smooth and continuous inner surface.

[0054] The top component 3 has a compressive strength, in a direction normal to the outer face 21 of the top component 3, that is lower than a compressive strength of the lateral component 4, in a direction normal to the outer face 22 of the lateral component 4, in order to facilitate the compression of the top component 3. The top component 3 is thus less stiff than the lateral component 4. Being less dense, the top component 3 crumples more easily than the lateral component 4 for the same impact force. In the following, the term compressive strength in a direction normal to the outer face can be abbreviated, for the sake of conciseness, with out-of-plane compressive strength.

[0055] In particular, the compressive strength of the top component 3, in a direction normal to the outer face 21 of the top component 3, is preferably lower than 0,8 MPa, while the compressive strength of the lateral component 4, in a direction normal to the outer face 22 of the lateral component 4, is higher than 0,8 MPa.

[0056] The top component 3 is positioned inside the shell 2, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and is arranged in the top portion 2A of the shell 2. The top portion 2A of the shell 2 is the portion arranged on the top of the shell 2, as depicted in Fig. 7.

[0057] The lateral component 4 is positioned inside the shell 2, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but is arranged in the lateral portion 2B of the shell 2. The lateral portion 2B is the lateral band that is positioned between the top portion 2A and the edge 2C of the shell 2, as depicted in Fig. 7.

[0058] The cradle 5 is largerthan the top component 3, as shown in Fig. 3-5. Alternatively, the cradle 5 can have substantially the same dimension of the top component 3 or the top component 3 can incorporate the cradle 5 (versions not shown).

[0059] The lateral component 4 is shaped to hold the top component 3. In particular, the lateral component 4 comprises an opening 11 in which the top component 3 can be arranged.

[0060] The opening 11 can be slightly flared, as shown in Fig. 1. Even the top component 3 is slightly flared, and consequently the top component 3 fits in the opening 11. In particular, the top component 3 is inserted from above in the opening 11, as shown in Fig. 8. When the top and lateral components 3,4 are placed inside the shell 2, with their outer face 21,22 at least in part in contact with the inner surface 12 of the shell 2, the top component 3 remains clamped / entrapped between the lateral component 4 and the shell 2.P134W0

[0061] The lateral component 4 is divided in two main parts, as shown in Figs 4 and 9. In particular, the lateral component 4 comprises an upper part 9 and a lower part 8.

[0062] The upper part 9 comprises said opening 11 in which the top component 3 is arranged.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 9, the upper part 9 comprises four legs 17 that are shaped so as to enter in and fit with respective recesses 18 of the lower part 8. The recesses 18 are shaped so as to clamp the legs 17 between the shell 2 and the lower part 8, when the inner core 20 is placed inside the shell 2 as shown in Fig. 1.

[0064] The lower part 8 is configured to be fixed to the shell 2.

[0065] The lower part 8 has an annular shape and comprises a plurality of apertures 14. In these apertures 14 are arranged respective insert 13.

[0066] The upper and lower parts 8, 9 are preferably made of a polymeric foam, like EPS or EPP.

[0067] The insert 13 are preferably made of said cellular material. Alternatively, the insert 13 can be made of a foam material like EPS or EPP.

[0068] The apertures 14 are slightly flared and also the inserts 13 are slightly flared. Consequently, the inserts 13 fit in the apertures 14. The inserts 13 are inserted from outside in the apertures 14. In this manner, when the inner core 20 is placed inside the shell 2, the inserts 13 remain clamped / entrapped between the lower part 8 and the shell 2 as shown in Fig. 1.

[0069] The cradle 5 is attached to the upper part 9 via supports 10. The supports 10 are thin and flexible elements that maintain the cradle 5 at a certain distance from the upper part 9.

[0070] The supports 10 comprise pins 16 configured to enter in respective connectors 15. The connectors 15 are embedded in the upper part 9.

[0071] Alternatively, the cradle 5 can be attached via the supports 10 to the top component 3 or to the shell 2.

[0072] The cradle 5 can be in contact, totally or partially, with the inner face 23 of the top component 3. Alternatively, the cradle 5 is spaced with respect to the inner face 23 of the top component 3 and enters in contact with it only in case of an impact received on the shell 2.

[0073] Making reference to Fig. 5, the inner core 20 is assembled in the following way. The top component 3 is inserted in the opening 11 of the upper part 9 from above. The supports 10 of the cradle 5 are connected to the upper part 9. In this way a group as depicted in Fig. 8 is realized. The inserts 13 are then inserted in the apertures 14 of the lower part 8. Finally, the group of Fig. 8 is positioned and fitted over the lower part 8 having the inserts 13, in order to form the inner core 20 shown in Fig. 6. The inner core 20 so assembled can be placed in the shell 2, as shown in Fig. 3 andP134W04. In particular, the lower part 8 is fixed inside the shell 2, and consequently all the other elements of the inner core 20 remains stably positioned inside the shell 2, as shown in Figs. 1-4.

[0074] Since the lateral component 4 is made of a plurality of elements, namely the upper part 9, the lower part 8 and the inserts 3, which can have the same out-of-plane compressive strength or not, the out-of-plane compressive strength of the lateral component 4 is defined as the average out-of-plane compressive strength of the elements forming the lateral component 4.

[0075] In a particular embodiment (not shown) the upper part 9 and the lower part 8 are merged in a single piece.

[0076] In a further particular embodiment (not shown) the lateral component 4 is a single element made of a polymeric foam material and consequently it does not comprise cellular insert / s. In this version of the helmet 1, upper and lower parts 8,9 and the inserts 13 are merged together in a single piece made of a polymeric foam material.

[0077] In an additional particular embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 10, the upper part 9 and the top component 3 are both made of the same polymeric foam material, and they are merged together to form a single piece. In this embodiment, the top component 3 incorporates the upper part 9 and has a lower out-of-plane compressive strength with respect to the lateral component 4 which consequently does not include the upper part 9. In this embodiment, the lateral component 4 can comprise the lower part 8 and the insert / s 13 or can include a lower part 8 without aperture / s 14 and without insert / s 13.

[0078] The curvature of the top component 3 and / or the insert / s 13 can be obtained through thermoforming of the cellular material. Alternatively, the cellular material can have synclastic or monoclastic behaviours.

[0079] The helmet 1 in Figs. 1-4 and 7 is full brim industrial helmet which is characterized by a shell 2 having a brim that runs all around the helmet 1, like in a cow-boy style hat. The present invention also applies to other types of industrial helmets, for example to a helmet having only a front brim.

[0080] In the industrial helmet 1 so conceived, when a vertical impact hits the shell 2, the impact force F compresses the top component 3 between the shell 2 and the cradle 5, which in turn is positioned over the user's head 30. The top component 3, that is preferably made of a cellular material, starts to crumple because the cells 6 of the cellular material progressively buckle. As the crumpling of the top component 3 advances, the cradle 5 gets close to the lateral component 4, until it touches also the lateral component 4. Until the cradle 5 does not touch the lateral component 4, only the top component 3 absorbs the energy of the impact force F. The topcomponent 3 has a lower compressive strength, in a direction normal to its outer face, and a greater thickness than the lateral component 4, therefore the top component 3 easily crumples avoiding a high stress peak to the user's head 30. The helmet 1 is also able to absorb lateral impacts on the shell 2 thanks to the lateral component 4. In particular, cellular inserts 13 arranged into a polymeric foam of lateral component 4 make the absorption of lateral impacts more effective.

[0081] Concluding, the invention so conceived is susceptible to many modifications and variations all of which fall within the scope of the inventive concept, furthermore all features can be substituted to technically equivalent alternatives. Practically, the quantities can be varied depending on the specific technical requirements. Finally, all features of previously described embodiments can be combined in any way, so as to obtain other embodiments that are not herein described for reasons of practicality and clarity.

[0082] Legend of reference signs:1 helmet2 shell2A top portion (of the shell)2B lateral portion (of the shell)2C edge of the shell3 top energy-absorbing component4 lateral energy-absorbing component5 cradle6 cell7 sidewall (of the cell)8 lower part (of the lateral energy-absorbing component)9 upper part (of the lateral energy-absorbing component)10 support (of the cradle)11 opening (of the upper part)12 inner surface (of the shell)13 insert14 aperture (of the lower part)15 connector (of the cradle's support)16 pin (of the cradle's support)17 leg (of the upper part)18 recess (of the lower part)19 lateral retaining system20 inner core (of the helmet)21 outer face of top energy-absorbing component22 outer face of lateral energy-absorbing component23 inner face of top energy-absorbing component24 inner face of lateral energy-absorbing component30 user's headF impact forceG gapL longitudinal axis (of the cell)T' thickness of the top energy-absorbing componentT" thickness of the lateral energy-absorbing component

Claims

P134W0SET OF CLAIMS1. Helmet (1) comprising:- a shell (2) comprising a top portion (2A) and a lateral portion (2B) that surrounds the top portion (2A) and from the top portion (2A) extends towards an edge (2C) of the shell (2);- a top energy-absorbing component (3) placed inside the shell (2), in correspondence of the top portion (2A) of the shell (2), so that an outer face (21) of top energy-absorbing component (3) is at least in part in contact with an inner surface (12) of the shell (2);- a lateral energy-absorbing component (4) placed inside the shell (2), in correspondence of the lateral portion (2B) of the shell (2), so that an outer face (22) of lateral energy-absorbing component(4) is at least in part in contact with the inner surface (12) of the shell (2);- a cradle (5) shaped for receiving a portion of a user's head (30); wherein the top energy-absorbing component (3) is arranged between the shell (2) and the cradle(5); wherein the top energy-absorbing component (3) has a compressive strength in a direction normal to the outer face (21) of the top energy-absorbing component (3) that is lowerthan the compressive strength of lateral energy-absorbing component (4) in a direction normal to the outer face (22) of the lateral energy-absorbing component (4); and wherein the top energy-absorbing component (3) is thicker than the lateral energy-absorbing component (4) and between the cradle (5) and an inner face (24) of the lateral energy-absorbing component (4) a gap (G) is realized that separates the cradle (5) from the lateral component (4).

2. Helmet according to claim 1, wherein the lateral energy-absorbing component (4) holds the top energy-absorbing component (3).

3. Helmet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the top energy-absorbing component (3) is made of a cellular energy-absorbing material.

4. Helmet according to claim 3, wherein the cellular energy-absorbing material comprises a plurality of interconnected open cells (6) configured to absorb energy by plastic deformation in response to a compressive load longitudinally applied to said cells (6), preferably each cell (6) has a longitudinal axis (L) that is substantially normal to the inner surface (12) of the shell (2).P134W05. Helmet according to claim 4, wherein neighbour cells (6) are connected to each other through their sidewalls (7) and the sidewall (7) of each cell (6) defines a tube, preferably a discrete tube.

6. Helmet according to any one of preceding claims, wherein the lateral energy-absorbing component (4) is at least in part made of a polymeric foam.

7. Helmet according to claim 6, wherein the lateral energy-absorbing component (4) comprises at least one insert (13) made of the cellular energy-absorbing material.

8. Helmet according to any one of preceding claims, wherein the lateral energy-absorbing component (4) comprises a lower part (8) and an upper part (9) that are separated from each other and are shaped to fit together to form the lateral energy-absorbing component (4).

9. Helmet according to claim 8, wherein the upper part (9) and the lower part (8) are shaped so that, when the lower part (8) is placed inside the shell (2), the upper part (9) is at least in part stacked between the lower part (8) and the shell (2).

10. Helmet according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the upper part (9) is shaped to lock the top energyabsorbing component (3) to the inner surface (12) of the shell (2) when the upper part (9) is placed inside the shell (2).

11. Helmet according claim 8 or 9 and claim 7, wherein the lower part (8) comprises at least one aperture (14) shaped to fix the at least one insert (13) to the inner surface (12) of the shell (2) when the lower part (8) is placed inside the shell (2).

12. Helmet according to any one of preceding claims, wherein the cradle (5) is fixed to the lateral energy-absorbing component (4) through flexible supports (10) configured to flex when a compression load is applied between the shell (2) and cradle (5).

13. Helmet according to any one of preceding claims, wherein the lateral energy-absorbing component (4) is fixed to the shell (2).P134W014. Helmet according to any one of preceding claims, wherein the cradle (5) is wider than the top energy-absorbing component (3) and laterally overhangs from the top energy-absorbing component (3).

15. Helmet according to any one of preceding claims, wherein between the cradle (5) and the lateral energy-absorbing component (4) an empty space that surrounds the top energy-absorbing component (3) is realized.

16. Helmet according to any one or preceding claims, wherein the cradle (5) is arranged on an inner face (23) of the top energy-absorbing component (3).

17. Helmet according to any one or preceding claims, wherein, when a vertical impact hits the shell (2) and an impact force (F) compresses the top energy-absorbing component (3) between the shell (2) and the cradle (5), the top energy-absorbing component (3) starts to crumple and, as the crumpling of the top energy-absorbing component (3) advances, the cradle (5) gets close to the lateral energy-absorbing component (4), until the cradle (5) touches also the lateral component (4) and, until the cradle (5) does not touch the lateral energy-absorbing component (4), only the top energy-absorbing component (3) absorbs the energy of the impact force (F).

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