[0001] The present invention relates to a clothing cover for a helmet, in particular for
a helmet used for participating in skiing. It also relates to the helmet provided
with this clothing cover.
[0002] The wearing of a helmet is necessary for participating in certain sports, in particular
skiing. Some users, however, regard the visual appearance of a helmet as being unattractive
and prefer to refrain from wearing a helmet, to the detriment of safety. These users
would like to be able to change the appearance of the helmet, but means of achieving
this do not so far exist on the market.
[0003] It is known in a general fashion to provide a clothing cover for a helmet. The known
clothing covers, however, have the drawback that they do not permit the clothing cover
to be kept perfectly in position on the helmet and do not permit an easy and rapid
exchange of one clothing cover for another one. Moreover, the known clothing covers
have the drawback that they significantly reduce the possibility of ventilating the
interior of the helmet, leading to an accumulation of perspiration inside the latter,
see for example
US-A-6 848 122.
[0004] The problem of the present invention is to overcome all of these drawbacks.
[0005] For this purpose, the clothing cover to which it relates comprises at least one band
fixed to its interior, each band being intended to be fixed to the helmet, on the
one hand in a zone situated on the front side of the helmet and on the other hand
in a zone situated on the rear side of the helmet.
[0006] This double fixing possibility on the front zone and on the rear zone of the helmet
ensures perfect fitting of the clothing cover, suitable for allowing this cover to
remain in place even in the event of a fall giving rise to considerable rubbing on
the helmet, as can be the case when participating in skiing.
[0007] The clothing cover can in particular be in the form of a hat or cap covering the
whole of the helmet and thus permitting the latter to be hidden.
[0008] To advantage, each band is fixed in a detachable fashion on the helmet thanks to
quick-action fixing means which it itself and the helmet comprise.
[0009] Each band can thus be separated easily and rapidly from the helmet so as to allow
an exchange of the clothing cover, either in order to clean this clothing cover, or
with a view to changing the appearance of the helmet.
[0010] According to one possible embodiment of said rapid-action fixing means, each band
has, at one end, a portion in the form of a hook suitable for being engaged around
the edge of the helmet and, at its other end, other fixing means suitable for ensuring
the holding of the part in the form of a hook in the engagement position around the
edge of the helmet. These other fixing means can comprise a portion in the form of
a hook identical or similar to that of the other end of the band, press-studs, or
a fastener of the "snap-to" type.
[0011] The helmet preferably comprises at least one groove arranged proceeding from its
external face, and a band such as mentioned above is intended to be placed in this
groove, with lateral wedging.
[0012] The band is thus held in place over the whole length of the helmet, and this contributes
towards ensuring perfect fitting of the clothing cover on the helmet.
[0013] The band can have bevelled edges, and the sides of the helmet bounding said groove
can have corresponding bevelled zones, into which said bevelled edges are placed when
the band is put in place.
[0014] The seating of the band on the helmet is thus increased and self-centring of the
band with respect to the helmet is achieved when the band is put in place on the helmet.
[0015] To advantage, at least one band comprises a flared end, such that the band has an
increased width at this end.
[0016] This flared end makes it possible to increase the support area of the band against
the edge of the helmet and thus to reinforce the holding in place of the band with
respect to the helmet.
[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention,
- the helmet comprises holes producing communication between the interior and the exterior
of the helmet, which holes emerge on the exterior of this helmet and are arranged
in at least one series of holes, each series being arranged in such a way as to be
able to be covered by one and the same band, and
- each band demarcates with the wall of the helmet, when it is fixed to this helmet,
an air flow channel opening at the front and at the rear of the helmet.
[0018] The helmet according to the invention thus comprises holes emerging directly on the
exterior and a band, when it is put in place, covers these holes, forming with the
wall of the helmet a channel communicating directly with a these holes. This channel
emerges on the front and on the rear of the helmet and, when the user is moving, the
air flowing from the front to the rear of the helmet passes through it; the circulation
of air makes it possible, by the Venturi effect, to bring about natural ventilation
of the interior of the helmet, even when said clothing cover is put in place on the
helmet, this air circulation therefore making it possible to combat efficiently any
formation or accumulation of perspiration between the user's skull and the helmet.
[0019] At least one opening via which said air flow channel emerges on the exterior of the
helmet can comprise opening/closing means of this channel in order to permit a selective
control of the ventilation or an absence of ventilation.
[0020] The invention will be understood, and other features and advantages of the latter
will emerge, by reference to the appended schematic drawing, which represents, by
way of non-limiting examples, several possible embodiments of the clothing cover and
the helmet concerned.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clothing cover according to a first embodiment;
Figure 2 is a view of the interior of this clothing cover;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a helmet intended to receive this clothing cover;
Figure 4 is a view of the helmet and of the clothing cover in longitudinal section,
during the putting in place of the latter onto the helmet;
Figure 5 is a view similar to figure 4, after the cover has been put in place on the
helmet;
Figures 6 to 8 are views of three possible examples of embodiment for the clothing
cover;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a cover and of a helmet according to a second embodiment,
the clothing cover having been rolled up slightly so as to make the fitting zones
of the clothing cover on the helmet visible;
Figure 10 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of a fastener of the "snap-to"
type which the helmet comprises, in the release position of said clothing cover;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of the helmet according to a third embodiment and
of a band permitting the fitting of the cover, the latter having been omitted to make
the drawing clearer,
Figure 12 is a perspective view of the helmet and of this band, after fitting of the
band,
Figure 13 is a front view of the helmet, before fitting of the band, a clothing cover
being not shown,
Figure 14 is a front view of the helmet, after fitting of the band, a clothing cover
being not shown,
Figure 14A is an enlarged view of the helmet, and
Figure 15 is a side view of the helmet, a clothing cover being not shown.
[0021] For the purpose of simplification, the elements or parts that are found from one
embodiment to another will be designated by the same numerical references and will
not be described again.
[0022] Figures 1 to 5 represent, at different angles, a clothing cover 1 capable of being
fitted on a helmet 2 by means of a band 3.
[0023] In the example shown in figure 1, cover 1 is of the "cap" type. It is dimensioned
so as to encompass the whole of the outer surface of helmet 2.
[0024] Helmet 2 comprises an outer rigid shell 5 and a lining 6 of expanded rigid material,
in particular polystyrene, and includes means for its fixing to the user's head, in
particular in the form of side straps 7, a chin-strap (not shown) and optionally a
chin-piece or chin protection structure 8, as appears in figure 5 or 15.
[0025] Helmet 2 also comprises a central groove 10 extending from its front zone up to its
rear zone and front and rear notches 11.
[0026] Band 3 has a curvature and dimensions such that it extends along the wall of cover
1 and such that it can take its place on helmet 2 in groove 10. It comprises holes
permitting its fixing to cover 1 by means of stitches 12, and has ends 13 bend in
the shape of a hook, suitable for being engaged in notches 11 in such a way that these
ends, after engagement, lie flush with the edge of helmet 2, as shown in figure 5.
[0027] Thanks to this double fixing possibility on the front zone and on the rear zone of
helmet 2, band 3 ensures perfect fitting of clothing cover 1, suitable for allowing
this cover to remain in place even in the event of a fall giving rise to considerable
rubbing on helmet 2, as can be the case when participating in skiing.
[0028] Figures 6 to 8 show that cover 1 can in particular have the form of a cap with a
protruding border (figure 6), a leather helmet (figure 7) or a hat (figure 8).
[0029] In the embodiment shown in figures 9 and 10, helmet 2 comprises a fastener of the
"snap-to" type, constituted by tab 15 fitted pivoting on the edge of the helmet and
by a buckle 16 fitted pivoting on tab 15, this tab 15 engaging in a recess 17 arranged
in the central rear zone of helmet 2, on the inside. Band 3 thus has, in place of
the hook part of the first embodiment, a slightly flexible curved end 13 capable of
being engaged in buckle 16. In the locking position shown in figure 9, end 13 is held
against the edge of helmet 2 by said fastener; when this tab 15 is swivelled away
from the wall of helmet 2, buckle 16 is pivoted with respect to tab 15 and releases
end 13 (figure 10).
[0030] In the embodiment shown in figures 11 to 15, groove 10 is flared at its front and
rear ends, thus increasing the width. A series of holes 20 is arranged at the bottom
of this groove 10, these holes 20 passing through shell 5 and lining 6, thus putting
the interior and exterior of helmet 2 in communication. Holes 20 widen from the interior
towards the exterior of helmet 2.
[0031] Band 3 is intended to be fixed on helmet 2 thereby completely covering groove 10,
as is shown in figure 12, the front and rear end portions of this band 3 being flared
in a manner identical to the flared portions of groove 10. After being put in place,
the external face of band 3 is flush with the external face of helmet 2.
[0032] The front end portion of band 3 forms a hook 13 intended to be engaged around the
central zone of the front edge of helmet 2. The wall of hook 13 intended to extend
along the edge of helmet 2 after fitting comprises, opposite the space demarcated
by the bottom of groove 10 and by band 3, openings 21 (see figure 14) permitting the
entry of air into this space.
[0033] The rear end portion of band 3 forms an "L"-shaped foot 25 attached to the rest of
the band by a hinge film 26. This foot 25 is intended to be folded around the central
rear edge of helmet 2 and to be locked in a detachable manner into a suitable housing.
In the example of embodiment shown in figures 11 and 12, the rear end portion of band
3 has holes 27 in its flared zone.
[0034] Band 3, groove 10, the openings 21 of hook 13 and these holes 27 thus form together
a channel in which air can flow when the user is moving. This flow makes it possible,
as shown on figure 15, by the Venturi effect, to bring about, through holes 20, a
circulation of air in the space situated between the internal face of lining 6 and
the user's skull and, consequently, to combat efficiently the formation or accumulation
of perspiration in this area. The widening of holes 20 from the interior towards the
exterior promotes this Venturi effect; the flared shape of the front end portion of
the band demarcates, with the non-flared portion of the band, a narrowing in the width
of the flow channel, which permits a certain acceleration of the flow of air inside
said channel, which favours the presence of efficient natural ventilation inside helmet
2.
[0035] The holding of clothing cover 1 in place can be reinforced by lateral press-studs
35 fixed on helmet 2.
[0036] Figures 13 and 14A shows that the band 3 can have bevelled edges and the sides of
the helmet 2 bounding said groove 10 can have corresponding bevelled zones 22, into
which said bevelled edges are placed when the band 3 is put in place on the helmet
2.
[0037] As emerges from the aforesaid, the invention provides a helmet, in particular for
participating in skiing, which has the decisive advantages of permitting a change
in the visual appearance of the helmet whilst at the same time permitting clothing
cover 1 to be held perfectly in place on helmet 2, an easy and rapid exchange of this
clothing cover for another one and, in case of need, efficient ventilation of the
interior of helmet 2 that is inexpensive to produce.
[0038] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described
above by way of example, but that it extends to all embodiments covered by the appended
claims. In particular, it is possible for helmet 2 not to comprise groove 10 and for
band 3 to have lateral faces whose edges are applied against the external face of
helmet 2, in order to demarcate said air flow channel; these edges can be received
in grooves permitting band 3 to be held in place laterally.
1. Clothing cover (1) for a helmet (2), in particular for a helmet (2) used for participating
in skiing, the cover (1) comprising at least one band (3) fixed to its interior, each
band (3) being intended to be fixed to the helmet (2), characterized in that on the one hand the fixing being in a zone situated on the front side of the helmet
(2) and on the other hand in a zone situated on the rear side of the helmet (2).
2. Clothing cover (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each band (3) is fixed in a detachable fashion on the helmet (2) thanks to quick-action
fixing means (11, 13, 15, 16, 25) which it itself and the helmet (2) comprise.
3. Clothing cover (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that each band (3) has, at one end, a portion (13) in the form of a hook suitable for
being engaged around the edge of the helmet (2) and, at its other end, other fixing
means (13, 15, 16, 25) suitable for ensuring the holding of the part (13) in the form
of a hook in the engagement position around the edge of the helmet (2).
4. Clothing cover (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said other fixing means comprises a portion (13) in the form of a hook identical
or similar to that of the other end of the band (3), press-studs, or a fastener (15,
16) of the "snap-to" type.
5. Clothing cover (1) according to claim 3 or to claim 4, characterized in that at least one band (3) comprises a flared end, such that the band (3) has an increased
width at this end.
6. Helmet (2) provided with the clothing cover (1) according to any one of claim 1 to
5, characterized in that it comprises at least one groove (10) arranged proceeding from its external face,
and in that a band (3) of the clothing cover (1) is intended to be placed in this groove (10),
with lateral wedging.
7. Helmet (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the band (3) has bevelled edges and the sides of the helmet (2) bounding said groove
have corresponding bevelled zones (22), into which said bevelled edges are placed
when the band (3) is put in place on the helmet (2).
8. Helmet (2) provided with the clothing cover (1.) according to any one of claim 1 to
5,
characterized in that
- the helmet (2) comprises holes (20) producing communication between the interior
and the exterior of the helmet (2), which holes emerge on the exterior of this helmet
(2) and are arranged in at least one series of holes, each series being arranged in
such a way as to be able to be covered by one and the same band (3), and
- each band (3) demarcates with the wall of the helmet (2), when it is fixed to this
helmet (2), an air flow channel opening at the front and at the rear of the helmet
(2).
9. Helmet (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one opening (21, 27) via which said air flow channel emerges on the exterior
of the helmet (2) comprise opening/closing means of this channel in order to permit
a selective control of the ventilation or an absence of ventilation.
1. Kleidungsabdeckung (1) für einen Helm (2), insbesondere für einen Helm (2), der zum
Skifahren verwendet wird, wobei die Abdeckung (1) mindestens ein Band (3) umfasst,
das an ihrem Inneren befestigt ist, wobei jedes Band (3) dazu gedacht ist, an dem
Helm (2) befestigt zu werden, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Befestigung sich einerseits in einem Bereich, der auf der Vorderseite des Helms
(2) liegt, und andererseits in einem Bereich, der auf der Rückseite des Helms (2)
liegt, befindet.
2. Kleidungsabdeckung (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jedes Band (3) über schnell verstellbare Befestigungsmittel (11, 13, 15, 16, 25),
die das Band selber und der Helm (2) umfassen, abnehmbar an dem Helm (2) befestigt
ist.
3. Kleidungsabdeckung (1) nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jedes Band (3) an einem Ende einen Abschnitt (13) in Form eines Hakens aufweist,
der dazu geeignet ist, um den Rand des Helms (2) herum in Eingriff gebracht zu werden,
und an seinem anderen Ende andere Befestigungsmittel (13, 15, 16, 25) aufweist, die
dazu geeignet sind, um das Festhalten des Teils (13) in Form eines Hakens in der Eingriffsposition
um den Rand des Helms (2) herum sicherzustellen.
4. Kleidungsabdeckung (1) nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die anderen Befestigungsmittel einen Abschnitt (13) in Form eines Hakens, der identisch
oder ähnlich ist wie derjenige des anderen Endes des Bandes (3), von Druckknöpfen
oder von einem Verschluss (15, 16) "einschnappender" Art umfassen.
5. Kleidungsabdeckung (1) nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein Band (3) ein erweitertes Ende umfasst, so dass das Band (3) an diesem
Ende eine größere Breite aufweist.
6. Helm (2) mit der Kleidungsabdeckung (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er mindestens einen Einschnitt (10) umfasst, der von seiner Außenseite kommend angeordnet
ist, und dass ein Band (3) der Kleidungsabdeckung (1) dazu gedacht ist, in diesen
Einschnitt (10) durch seitliches Verklemmen gelegt zu werden.
7. Helm (2) nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Band (3) abgeschrägte Ränder aufweist und die Seiten des Helms (2), die den Einschnitt
begrenzen, entsprechende abgeschrägte Bereiche (22) aufweisen, in welche die abgeschrägten
Ränder gelegt werden, wenn das Band (3) auf dem Helm (2) angebracht wird.
8. Helm (2) mit der Kleidungsabdeckung (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
- der Helm (2) Löcher (20) umfasst, die eine Verbindung zwischen dem Innern und dem
Äußern des Helms (2) herstellen, wobei die Löcher am Äußern dieses Helms (2) ankommen
und in mindestens einer Reihe von Löchern angeordnet sind, wobei jede Reihe derart
angeordnet ist, dass sie von ein und demselben Band (3) abgedeckt werden kann, und
- jedes Band (3) mit der Wand des Helms (2) abgrenzt, wenn es an diesem Helm (2) befestigt
ist, wobei ein Luftstromkanal sich an der Vorder- und Rückseite des Helms (2) öffnet.
9. Helm (2) nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens eine Öffnung (21, 27), über die der Luftstromkanal am Äußern des Helms
(2) ankommt, Öffnungs-/Verschlussmittel dieses Kanals umfasst, um eine selektive Steuerung
der Belüftung oder Nichtbelüftung zu ermöglichen.
1. Enveloppe d'habillage (1) de casque (2), notamment pour un casque utilisé pour la
pratique du ski, l'enveloppe d'habillage comprenant au moins une bande (3) fixée à
l'intérieur d'elle, chaque bande (3) étant destinée à être fixée au casque (2), caractérisée en ce que la fixation est réalisée d'une part en une zone située sur le côté avant du casque
(2) et d'autre part en une zone située sur le côté arrière du casque (2).
2. Enveloppe d'habillage (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que chaque bande (3) est fixée de manière amovible sur le casque (2) grâce à des moyens
de fixation (11, 13, 15, 16, 25) à actionnement rapide qu'elle-même et le casque (2)
comprennent.
3. Enveloppe d'habillage (1) selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que chaque bande (3) présente, à une extrémité, une portion (13) en forme de crochet
apte à être engagée autour de la tranche du casque (2), et, à son autre extrémité,
d'autres moyens de fixation (13, 15, 16, 25) aptes à assurer le maintien de la partie
(13) en forme de crochet en position d'engagement autour de la tranche du casque (2).
4. Enveloppe d'habillage (1) selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que lesdits autres moyens de fixation comprennent une portion (13) en forme de crochet
identique ou similaire à celle de l'autre extrémité de la bande (3), des boutons-pression,
ou une attache (15, 16) de type sauterelle.
5. Enveloppe d'habillage (1) selon la revendication 3 ou la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une bande (3) comprend une extrémité évasée, telle que la bande (3) présente
une largeur augmentée au niveau de cette extrémité.
6. Casque incluant l'enveloppe d'habillage (1) selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5,
caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend au moins une rainure (10) aménagée à partir de sa face extérieure, et
en ce qu'une bande (3) de l'enveloppe d'habillage (1) est destinée à être mise en place dans
cette rainure (10), avec calage latéral.
7. Casque (2) selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que ladite bande (2) présente des bords biseautés, et en ce que les flancs du casque (2) délimitant ladite rainure présentent des zones biseautées
(22) correspondantes, dans lesquelles viennent se placer lesdits bords biseautés lors
de la mise en place de la bande (3) sur le casque (2).
8. Casque (2) incluant l'enveloppe d'habillage (1) selon l'une des revendications 1 à
5,
caractérisé en ce que :
- le casque (2) comprend des trous (20) faisant communiquer l'intérieur et l'extérieur
du casque (2), qui débouchent sur l'extérieur de ce casque (2) et sont aménagés en
au moins une série de trous, chaque série étant disposée de manière à pouvoir être
recouverte par une même bande (3), et
- chaque bande (3) délimite avec la paroi du casque (2), lorsqu'elle est fixée à ce
casque (2), un conduit d'écoulement d'air s'ouvrant sur l'avant et sur l'arrière du
casque (2).
9. Casque (2) selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une ouverture (21, 27) par laquelle ledit conduit d'écoulement d'air débouche
sur l'extérieur du casque (2) comporte des moyens d'ouverture/fermeture de ce conduit
afin de permettre une commande sélective d'une ventilation ou d'une absence de ventilation.