The present invention relates to a reinforced crash helmet construction.
As is known, a continuous increase of use of motorcycles, motorbicycles, mainly in urban centers, and recent rules have compelled the users of the above vehicles to use crash helmets, which requirement has resulted a great development in the protective crash helmet field.
In turn, the great diffusion of the above protective crash helmets and the competitiveness of their makers have generated a requirement of providing differentiated helmets, for example also from their aesthetic standpoint, considering the fact that a comparatively high number of motor vehicle users require helmets which not only provide the necessary safety and functionality requirements, but which also have particular stylistic and aesthetic characteristics.
Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to provide a protective reinforced crash helmet construction, particularly, though not exclusively, suitable for motorcyclists and sports use, which has a very high strength jointly with particularly pleasant aesthetic characteristics.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a crash helmet construction which can be made with a lot of different finishing pattern, according to requirements.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a crash helmet construction which, owing to its specifically designed structurally characteristics, is very reliable and safe in operation.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a crash helmet construction which can be easily made and which, moreover, is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a reinforced crash helmet construction comprising a crash helmet cap, made as a single-piece, and a cage element applied to an outer surface of said cap, as defined in claim 1.
EP 1 300 089 A1 discloses a reinforced crash helmet construction according to the preamble of claim 1.
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings, where:
With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the sports application crash helmet construction according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises a crash helmet cap 2, made as a single-piece, in a per se known manner.
Said crash helmet cap 2 may be made of any desired thermoplastic material, for example polycarbonate, or composite plastic materials, reinforced by carbon fibers, and other suitable materials.
According to the present invention, to the outer surface of the crash helmet cap 2 has been applied a cage element 3, advantageously comprising a plurality of cross portions 4, coupled by two longitudinal side portions 5.
The cage element 3 is advantageously fixed to the crash helmet cap by suitable coupling systems, such as a glue material, and so on.
The cage element 3 substantially encompasses all the cap 2, with an exception of the side bottom portion 7 and the rear bottom portion of said cap.
The cage element 3, in particular, can be made of any desired materials, such as thermoplastic, composite and so on materials, and may comprise either the same material as the cap or a different material from the latter.
The side bottom portions 7 of the crash helmet cap 2 comprises a plurality of side flanks 8, also extending on the rear part of said cap.
Said side flanks 8 also operate as a support arrangement for a belt element 9 or other fixing device for latching said crash helmet as the latter is worn by a user, to meet legal requirements.
Said side flanks 8 are advantageously coupled to the cage element 3 and cooperate to reinforce the crash helmet construction.
Moreover, each said side flank 8 comprises a recessed region 10, in which is clamped an hinge end portion 11 of a swinging visor 12.
Inside the crash helmet cap 2 is applied a foamed material inner body, typically made of polystyrene, as well as the liner or padding, conventionally made of a fabric material, all in a per se known manner.
It should be pointed out that the material of the cap 2, in addition to being formed by a thermoplastic material or a composite material, can also be integrated by other materials such as metals, wood, leather or any other suitable materials.
From a crash helmet assembling standpoint, the helmet construction according to the invention can also be made, in addition to using rivets or glue materials, by ultrasound sealing or welding methods; seaming, swaging of thermoplastic pins, or by melting method.
Said belt element is clamped or fixed to the cap by rivets, as is conventionally provided, whereas the overlapping side flanks 8 also operate as a protective element for the head portions of outer rivets, against possible abrasions.
Moreover, said side flanks 8 may also operate as aesthetic covering elements for said rivets and have clamping means for clamping the crash helmet visor and its mechanical components.
It has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
In fact, the invention provides a novel crash helmet construction, particularly for motorcyclists, and in general for all activities in which it would be necessary or advisable to protect the user head, the subject crash helmet having a very high strength and a very a pleasant aesthetic aspect.
Moreover, the crash helmet construction according to the present invention allows to easily change its aesthetic aspect, for example by using different colors and materials for the helmet cap and cage element, to provide a broad range of color combinations for the user.
In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, according to requirements.