Device for eliminating stresses on the neck of a driver, particularly during sports or competitive driving

Abstract

 A device for eliminating stresses on the neck of a driver, particularly during sports or competitive driving, comprising a protruding body (1) made of ferromagnetic material, which can be fixed to a helmet (2) and can engage in a retention seat (10) that can be fixed to the motor vehicle, an electromagnet (12) being provided in the retention seat (10) and being connected by way of control means (14) to an electric power source (13).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for eliminating stresses on the neck of a driver, particularly during sports or competitive driving.

[0002] As is known, competitive drivers both in track races and in rally-type races suffer a considerable problem, which arises from the vibrations and stresses to which the helmet is subjected, such that the neck of the driver is subjected to very intense stresses.

[0003] This fact limits considerably driving quality and attention, and the driver is further forced to perform constant physical exercises to train the neck, so as to be able to withstand adequately the stresses that it experiences during races.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is to solve the problem described above by providing a device for eliminating stresses on the neck of a driver, particularly during a sports race, which allows to discharge fully from the helmet the stresses and vibrations generated during competitive and sports activity, avoiding the propagation of stresses to the neck.

[0005] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a device that allows the driver to keep the helmet in a correct and optimum position, thus contributing to a considerable improvement in the quality of sports driving.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which, thank to its particular constructive characteristics, is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use.

[0007] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device that can be obtained easily starting from commonly commercially available elements and materials and is also competitive from a merely economical standpoint.

[0008] This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a device for eliminating stresses on the neck of a driver, particularly during sports or competitive driving, according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises a protruding body made of ferromagnetic material, which can be fixed to a helmet and can engage in a retention seat that can be fixed to the motor vehicle, said seat having an electromagnet therein which is connected by way of control means to an electric power source.

[0009] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a device for eliminating stresses on the neck of a driver, particularly during sports driving, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic exploded view of the device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a view of the device in the helmet locking position;

Figure 3 is an elevation view of the device, with the possible movements shown in broken lines;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the device, with the possible movements shown in broken lines.

[0010] With reference to the figures, the device for eliminating stresses on the neck of a driver, particularly during sports or competitive driving, comprises a protruding body 1, which is made of ferromagnetic material and advantageously is constituted by a hollow spherical portion, which is fixed to the rear portion of a helmet 2.

[0011] Fixing can occur, according to the requirements, by screwing, adhesive bonding or optionally by providing the protruding body monolithically with the helmet.

[0012] The protruding body 1 can engage detachably in a retention seat, generally designated by the reference numeral 10, which is fixed to the motor vehicle and has a coupling portion 11 that lies along a surface that is complementary with respect to a portion of the body 1.

[0013] The retention seat 10 is provided internally with an electromagnet 12, which is connected to an electric power source, generally designated by the reference numeral 13, which can be constituted by the battery or optionally by the generator of the motor vehicle.

[0014] Control means 14 are provided on the line for connecting the electromagnet 12 to the electrical source 13 and can be constituted by a switch, by a potentiometer or by any other element that provides the driver, or anyone else for him, with the possibility to adjust the electric power supply and consequently the connecting force applied between the coupling portion 11 and the protruding body 1.

[0015] In practical operation, once the helmet has been put on, the protruding body 1 is coupled to the coupling portion 11 and the electromagnet 12 is activated by way of the control means 14 and creates an adhesion and retention action.

[0016] The intensity of the connecting force can vary, allowing the driver to turn, lift or lower his head, with a more or less intense effort, until he reaches the position that he deems most appropriate, and to perform stable locking by increasing the power supply of the electromagnet.

[0017] The source 13 can be constituted for example by the accumulator of the motor vehicle and the potentiometer 14, which can be arranged in any convenient point of the cabin, allows to achieve locking of the helmet in several positions and allows the head to perform a natural movement.

[0018] It is also possible to use, as an electric power source, directly the generator of the motor vehicle, so that, when the engine shuts down, the coupling between the body 1 and the portion 11 is released automatically.

[0019] In case of accident, the device according to the invention constitutes a further increase in safety for the driver, together with the usual seat belt, since it keeps the helmet stationary and locked against the seat, because preferably the retention seat is provided at the headrest.

[0020] The connection to the generator allows to perform automatic release, since the engine always shuts down a few tenths of a second after any impact and therefore a dangerous coupling between the driver and the vehicle is not maintained.

[0021] It is also optionally possible to provide the control means so that activation of locking can be adjusted or disengaged by ground personnel, on the basis of the indications of the driver.

[0022] The fastening action performed by the electromagnet on the protruding body 1 made of ferromagnetic material can also increase or decrease automatically, by means of a central controller, possibly by using the same central controller that adjusts the trim of the suspensions proportionally to the speed and stresses.

[0023] From what has been described above it is evident that the invention achieves the proposed aim and objects, and in particular the fact is stressed that a device is provided which, by locking the helmet in position, discharges completely the vibrations and stresses from the neck of the driver, who can thus enjoy better quality during the practice of sports or competitive driving.

[0024] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0025] All the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0026] In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements.

[0027] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A device for eliminating stresses on the neck of a driver, particularly during sports or competitive driving, characterized in that it comprises a protruding body (1) made of ferromagnetic material, which can be fixed to a helmet (2) and can engage in a retention seat (10) that can be fixed to the motor vehicle, said seat (10) having an electromagnet (12) therein which is connected by way of control means (14) to an electric power source (13).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said protruding body (1) is shaped like a spherical portion.

3. The device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said protruding body (1) is internally hollow.

4. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said retention seat (10) forms a coupling portion (11) that is shaped complementarily with respect to said protruding body (1).

5. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electric power source (13) is constituted by the battery of the motor vehicle.

6. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electric power source (13) is constituted by the generator of the motor vehicle.

7. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control means (14) are constituted by a potentiometer.

8. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control means (14) are constituted by a switch.

9. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control means (14) are constituted by a central controller that can be operated remotely.

Drawing