Helmet with adjustment mechanism

Abstract

Helmet (100), comprising: - a top part (110) and a temple part (120), and a slit (130) separating the top part (110) and the temple part (120), and - an adjustment mechanism, configured to adjust the slit (130); which adjustment mechanism comprises a ratchet mechanism (200) with a ratchet portion (210) and a pawl portion (220), said ratchet portion (210) and pawl portion (220) being respectively attached to the top part (110) and to the temple part (120), or vice versa.

Description

[0001] Helmet with adjustment mechanism

[0002] The present invention relates to a helmet comprising:

[0003] - a top part and a temple part that is separate from the top part, and

[0004] - an adjustment mechanism, configured to adjust a relative position of the top part and the temple part with refence to each other.

[0005] With the growing popularity of electric bicycles (e-bikes) and other personal electric vehicles, there is an increasing demand for safety equipment specifically designed for these faster modes of transportation. Unlike traditional bicycles, e-bikes can achieve higher speeds, which increases the risk of head injuries in accidents. Existing helmet designs often fail to accommodate the diverse range of head shapes and sizes, resulting in discomfort, poor fit, and compromised protective performance .

[0006] Studies show that in the Netherlands, only 2 to 3 percent of cyclists wear helmets, largely due to a lack of safety awareness, aesthetic concerns, and discomfort associated with current helmet designs. This highlights the critical need for a helmet that not only provides superior protection but also addresses user comfort and aesthetic preferences.

[0007] Traditional helmets are typically available in fixed sizes or offer limited adjustability through padding inserts, based on the assumption that most head sizes are relatively uniform. However, this is not the case, and as a result, helmets often shift during use, causing distractions and compromising safety, especially at higher speeds. This misalignment can reduce the effectiveness of the helmet's protective features and increase wearer discomfort. EP3116339B1 discloses an adaptive fit helmet according to the preamble of the main claim, and is designed to provide an improved fit by adjusting both the external shape and internal energy-absorbing components to conform to a user' s head. This helmet includes an outer shell, an energy-absorbing material, and a fit system that together adjust the helmet's size and shape in three dimensions. The fit system utilizes a belt mechanism to precisely modify the helmet, altering the positions of the shell components to change the inner volume of the helmet.

[0008] The prior art helmet, typically provided with a belt and scroll wheel mechanism for fitting the helmet to a user' s head, pose usability challenges. It is an objective of the invention to counter these challenges and to provide a helmet which fits an increased headsize-range, to make fitting easy, and to provide a more robust size-ad ustment system.

[0009] US2015 / 0000015 discloses a helmet, comprising:

[0010] - a top part and a temple part that is separate from the top part, and

[0011] - an adjustment mechanism, configured to adjust a relative position of the top part and the temple part with refence to each other; wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a ratchet mechanism with a ratchet portion and a pawl portion, said ratchet portion and pawl portion being respectively attached to the top part and to the temple part, or vice versa.

[0012] The present invention provides a helmet with the features of one or more of the appended claims.

[0013] In a first aspect of the invention the top part and the temple part define a slit between them that separates the top part and the temple part, wherein the slit is variable in width by operation of the adjustment mechanism. This construction enables an improved fit of the helmet according to the invention which is capable of accommodating a broader range of head volumes. Fitting to a particular head-size is also more easy, and the ratchet and pawl system is robust.

[0014] A notable improvement is that the ratchet portion and the pawl portion are in a same plane such that a series of sawteeth forming part of the ratchet portion are pointing in a curved plane following the helmet' s curvature. This provides that the outward force of a helmet under tension on a head does not affect a subsequent release of the ratchet from the pawl.

[0015] Preferably the helmet is manufactured such that the components are at least partially connected and integrally formed, resulting in a seamless structure.

[0016] It is further advantageous that the helmet comprises a pawl portion is biased towards the ratchet portion urging said pawl portion to engage said ratchet portion. For this purpose the pawl portion may be resilient.

[0017] To adjust and particularly to readjust the helmet of the invention it is preferred that the ratchet mechanism is equipped with a pusher, for releasing the pawl from the ratchet portion.

[0018] Preferably the pusher is loaded with a spring element.

[0019] Suitably the helmet of the invention comprises an energyabsorbing material.

[0020] One of the benefits that is available with the helmet design according to the present invention is that at least a portion of the top part that during use covers a backside of a user' s head, is provided with energy-absorbing material, which is not a possibility with conventional helmets due to the placement of the adjustment mechanism usually incorporated in such helmets. The features of the helmet of the invention shall hereinafter be further elucidated with reference to the drawing, which shows in

[0021] • figure 1 a three dimensional view at the helmet of the invention;

[0022] • figure 2 a and figure 2b aspects of the ratchet mechanism forming part of the helmet of the invention.

[0023] Whenever in the figures the same reference numerals are applied, these numerals refer to the same parts.

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the helmet 100 from a front perspective. Figures 2a and 2b depict the fit adjustment mechanism from a side perspective.

[0025] In Figure 1 it is shown that the helmet 100 includes a top part 110 and on both sides of the helmet 100 a temple part 120, each temple part 120 separated from the top part 110 by a slit 130. The slit or slits 130 is / are adjustable in width using an adjustment mechanism 200, which by changing the width of the slit or slits controls the shape and volume of the helmet to fit the user's head. Accordingly the top part 110 and the temple part 120 are configured to move relative to each other, effectively altering the width of the slit 130 between the top part 110 and the temple part 120.

[0026] The top part 110 is designed to fit over the upper portion of the user's head, while the temple part or temple parts 120 cover the temple regions on both sides of the head. Although the top part 110 and the temple part 120 can be seen as individual items, these components are at least partially connected and integrally formed, creating a unitary helmet structure. The helmet may include an energy-absorbing material that enhances safety by reducing the risk of head injuries during impact. This may in particular be applied at the backside of the helmet that covers the user' s head.

[0027] Figures 2a and 2b show the adjustment mechanism in locked (Figure 2a) and unlocked (Figure 2b) states. The adjustment mechanism features a ratchet mechanism 200, which comprises a ratchet portion 210 with multiple protrusions, such as teeth, notches, serrations, or sprockets. The mechanism also includes a pawl portion 220, which may be a hook, claw, lug, finger, tang, lever, or cam, designed to engage with the protrusions. This engagement allows the user to make controlled adjustments in one direction to change the width of the slit 130, thereby modifying the helmet' s head volume.

[0028] The pawl portion 220 may be a resilient arm that engages the ratchet portion 210. Alternatively, the ratchet mechanism 200 may also include a spring element 230 that biases the pawl portion 220 into engagement with the ratchet portion 210. In each embodiment the pawl portion 220 is biased towards the ratchet portion 210 urging said pawl portion 220 to engage said ratchet portion.

[0029] For releasing the engagement of the pawl portion 220 with the ratchet portion 210, a pusher 240 is provided that is loaded with spring element 230, which pusher 240 facilitate the pawl portion 220 to disengage from the ratchet portion 210.

[0030] In one embodiment, a predetermined distance, such as at least 5 mm, is maintained between the pusher 240 and the pawl portion 220. This ensures a safety-margin when pressing said pusher 240 as to prevent the accidental disengagement by the user of the pawl portion 220 with the ratchet portion 210.

[0031] Figures 2a and 2b illustrate the selective engagement of the pawl 220 with the ratchet portion 210 by an arrow in Figure 2a indicating a controlled movement of the ratchet portion 210 to the left, allowing the user to decrease the helmet's volume to fit the desired head size. An upward arrow in Figure 2b demonstrates a releasing upward movement of the pawl portion 220 to disengage the pawl portion 220 from the ratchet portion 210, such as when increasing the helmet' s volume or when removing the helmet .

[0032] Preferably, the ratchet portion 210 and the pawl portion 220 are attached to the inner surface of the helmet 100, protecting the mechanism from damage or decoupling during a fall, which could pose a risk of injury to the user's head. The ratchet portion 210 and the pawl portion 220 are in a same plane such that a series of sawteeth forming part of the ratchet portion are pointing in a curved plane following the helmet' s curvature. This orientation ensures that the mechanism's disengagement remains unaffected by forces from the user's head, improving both the accuracy of helmet size adjustments and overall usability convenience.

[0033] In one embodiment, energy-absorbing material is provided in a portion of the helmet 100 that during use covers a backside of a user' s head. In prior art helmets, the design and / or placement of the adjustment mechanism limit the amount of energy-absorbing material. In contrast, the helmet of the present invention allows for energy-absorbing material and enhanced protection of the rear of the head. This may protect critical brain regions, reducing the risk of serious injuries from impacts and helping to preserve the user's cognitive abilities in the event of an accident .

[0034] The invention has been discussed in the foregoing with reference to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and indeed the embodiment is exemplary and not restrictive to the invention which can be varied in relation to the exemplary embodiment without departing from the invention. In other words: the discussed exemplary embodiment does not restrict the protective scope of the claims, which is to be construed in accordance with the appended claims as illustrated with this exemplary embodiment .

[0035] Accordingly, it should be understood that where features mentioned in the appended claims are followed by reference signs, such signs are included solely for the purpose of enhancing the intelligibility of the claims and are in no way limiting on the scope of the claims.

[0036] Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference. Unless specifically stated as being "essential" above, none of the various components or the interrelationship thereof are essential to the operation of the invention. Rather, desirable results can be achieved by substituting various components and / or reconfiguration of their relationships with one another.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A helmet (100) , comprising:- a top part (110) and a temple part (120) that is separate from the top part (110) , and- an adjustment mechanism, configured to adjust a relative position of the top part (120) and the temple part (120) with refence to each other; wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a ratchet mechanism (200) with a ratchet portion (210) and a pawl portion (220) , said ratchet portion (210) and pawl portion (220) being respectively attached to the top part (110) and to the temple part (120) , or vice versa, characterized in that the top part (100) and the temple part (120) define a slit (130) between them that separates the top part (110) and the temple part (120) , wherein the slit is variable in width by operation of the adjustment mechanism.

2. The helmet according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratchet portion (210) and the pawl portion (220) are in a same plane such that a series of sawteeth forming part of the ratchet portion (210) are pointing in a curved plane following the helmet' s (100) curvature.

3. The helmet (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the top part (110) and the temple part (120) are at least in part connected to each other and are integrally formed.

4. The helmet (100) according to any of the claims 1- 3, characterized in that the pawl portion (220) is biased towards the ratchet portion (210) urging said pawl portion (220) to engage said ratchet portion (210) .

5. The helmet according to claim 4, characterized in that the pawl portion (220) is resilient.

6. The helmet (100) according to any of the claims 1- 3, characterized in that the ratchet mechanism (200) is equippedwith a pusher (240) for releasing the pawl (220) from the ratchet portion (210) .

7. The helmet (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the pusher (240) is loaded with a spring element (230) .

8. The helmet (100) according to any of the claims 1-7, characterized in that the helmet (100) comprises an energyabsorbing material.

9. The helmet (100) according to any of the claims 1-8, characterized in that energy-absorbing material is provided in a portion of the helmet (100) that during use covers a backside of a user' s head.

10. The helmet (100) according to any of the claims 1-9, characterized in that a predetermined distance of at least 5 mm, is provided between the pusher (240) and the pawl portion (220) .

Images