Protective helmet with ventilation opening

Abstract

 A protection helmet (1) comprising a cap (2), at least one ventilation opening (3) being present in a top portion of the cap (2), and a ventilation device (4) located in the region of said at least one ventilation opening (3), said ventilation device (4) comprising a frame (6) and a door member (7) located on said frame (6) and adapted to allow air transit through said at least one ventilation opening (3). The frame (6) is alternatively movable between at least one first ventilation operating position (5a) in the region of a front portion (2a) of the cap (2) and a second ventilation operating position (5b) in the region of a top portion (2b) of the cap (2), and the door member (7) is movable with respect to the frame (6), in the region of said first and second ventilation operating positions (5a, 5b), between one closing position and at least one opening position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a protection helmet, e.g. for motorcycle use, and in particular to a helmet provided with a ventilation device.

[0002] Protection helmets, e.g. for motorcycle use, are known, provided with at least one ventilation opening or inlet located in the cap and adapted to allow air flow inlet and/or circulation in the internal space of the helmet. Ventilation of the internal space of the helmet allows to maintain pleasant temperatures for the motorcyclist's head, in particular for long use, and foster change of air. The ventilation opening is generally connected to a series of canalizations made in the padding of the helmet and adapted to uniformly distribute the air flow in the internal space.

[0003] Generally, the ventilation opening is associated to a ventilation device placed in the region of the ventilation opening and adapted to convey the air flow through the latter toward the internal space of the helmet, as well as to enable an adjustment of air flow rate.

[0004] Pat. Appln. EP 0686358 describes, e.g., a helmet for motorcyclists, provided with a ventilation device located on the top of the cap and comprising a frame housing a slider. The slider is adapted to selectively close the ventilation openings located in the cap, thereby enabling air flow rate control.

[0005] Pat. Appln. EP 0320622 describes a helmet for motorcyclists with a ventilation device alike the preceding one, in which the frame, which houses a slider, is provided with a plurality of longitudinal grooves acting as channels for air transit. External air is therefore conveyed toward a plurality of ventilation openings by the grooves present in the frame, and the frame is shaped so as to create, by Venturi effect, a depression zone in the region of the ventilation openings, which allows to extract air from inside the helmet, fostering air change and circulation.

[0006] Moreover, motorcycling helmets provided with more complex ventilation devices, allowing finer adjustment of the air flow, are known.

[0007] European Pat. Appln. EP 1462017, describes, e.g., a ventilation device for helmets, comprising a base member onto which a door base member and a side door member are slidably fixed. Each member of the ventilation device comprises a plurality of openings and the two door members are slidably mounted, both with respect to the base member and to each other, such that it is possible to obtain numerous and progressive opening configurations of the ventilation device.

[0008] Known motorcycling helmets, though advantageous under many standpoints, e.g., in allowing the obtainment of temperatures comfortable for the motorcyclist in the internal space of the helmet, entail some drawbacks.

[0009] A drawback is, e.g., that an operating difficulty has been found by users helmet users in actuating the ventilation device, and in particular in quickly determining how to obtain optimum air circulation. Essentially, a difficulty has been found in understanding how to adjust the position of the door member with respect to the frame in order to obtain a satisfactory air circulation.

[0010] Therefore, a technical problem at the basis of the present invention is that of providing a protection helmet provided with a ventilation device allowing to overcome said drawback and/or obtain further advantages. Said technical problem is overcome by a protection helmet, whose main features are defined in the first claim, while other features are defined in the remaining claims.

[0011] A solution idea at the basis of the present invention is that, in order to optimise air circulation, it is convenient to univocally correlate a priori the position of the ventilation device with a position and angle of the helmet during use, e.g., in case of a helmet for motorcycle use, during the driving.

[0012] On the basis of this solution idea, to solve said technical problem, the motorcycling helmet according to the invention comprises a cap, a ventilation opening located in a top portion of the cap and a ventilation device located in the region of the at least one ventilation opening.

[0013] The ventilation device comprises a frame, on which a door member is located, adapted to allow air transit through the at least one ventilation opening. The frame is alternatively movable between at least one first ventilation operating position in the region of a front portion of the cap and a second ventilation operating position in the region of a top portion of the cap. In the first and second ventilation operating position the door member is movable with respect to the frame between one closing position and at least one opening position.

[0014] An advantage of the helmet according to the invention lies in the possibility of moving the ventilation device alternatively, i.e. in two positions alternative to each other, in two zones of the helmet where it has been found that air flow pressure is high, ideally the maximum possible, in accordance to the position of a user's head when using the helmet, e.g. of a motorcyclist when driving.

[0015] In particular, e.g. in the case of a motorcyclist, when a motorcyclist lies in a touristic driving position, with the trunk substantially perpendicular to the seat, the zones of maximum pressure are in the region of the front portion of the helmet above the visor (therefore, in said driving condition the helmet is upright and the frame is in the first ventilation operating position in the region of a front portion of the helmet), whereas when the motorcyclist has a sport driving position, with the trunk laying forward on the fuel tank in order to reduce the overall drag, the maximum pressure of the flow concentrates in the top portion of the helmet (therefore, in said driving position the helmet is tilted forward, and the frame is in the second ventilation operating position in the region of a top portion of the helmet).

[0016] Hence, with the helmet according to the present invention, thanks to the movement of the frame between the at least one ventilation operating position in the region of the front portion of the helmet and the second ventilation operating position in the region of the top portion it is possible to easily and effectively adapt the helmet both to touristic driving positions, that provide air transit in the front zone of the helmet, and to sport driving positions, that provide air transit in the top zone of the helmet, thereby allowing an extremely flexible use thereof by users, like e.g. motorcyclists, even with very different driving positions.

[0017] In light of the foregoing, thanks to the present invention, when the motorcyclist or a skier moves from a touristic driving position (with the trunk upright) to a sport position (with the trunk tilted forward) and vice versa, to avoid helmet overheating or poor air circulation it suffices to move the frame from the first ventilation operating position to the second ventilation operating position and vice versa, respectively.

[0018] Another advantage lies in the fact that a motorcyclist can use a single helmet independently of the best liked driving position and/or the motorcycle owned.

[0019] A further advantage of the helmet according to the invention lies in the possibility for a motorcyclist to simply and quickly adjust the ventilation device in the different positions with a single hand, even when the vehicle is running.

[0020] In one embodiment, the two ventilation operating positions of the frame are configured as end-of-stroke positions, thereby allowing the user to have excellent tactile feedback of the frame movement occurred from a position to another one, making the helmet extremely ergonomic and simple to use. To further increase the overall ergonomics of the helmet, in one embodiment, the door member has well-defined opening and closing positions, that can be characterised, e.g., thanks to snap movements from one position to another one.

[0021] Further advantages and features of the motorcycle helmet according to the present invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art by the following detailed and non-limiting description of an embodiment thereof. Reference will be made to the annexed drawings, wherein:

• Figure 1 is a side view of a motorcyclist in a touristic driving position;
• Figure 2 is a side view of a motorcyclist in a sport driving position;
• Figures 3 and 4 are schematic perspective views of a motorcycle helmet according to the present invention, showing the ventilation device in the two different end-of-stroke positions;
• Figure 5 shows a longitudinal section of the helmet of Figure 3 taken along line V-V of Figure 3;
• Figure 6 shows a longitudinal section of the helmet of Figure 4 taken along line VI-VI of Figure 4; and
• Figure 7 shows a detail VII of Figure 6.

[0022] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the motorcycle helmet 1 according to the invention comprises, in a known manner, a cap 2, in which top portion a plurality of ventilation openings 3 are present and a ventilation device 4 located in the region of the openings 3.

[0023] The ventilation device 4 comprises a base member 5 fixed in a known way to the cap 2, e.g. by hooks or rivets, a frame 6 slidably mounted on the base member 5. The base member 5 includes a perimetral edge 51 having a shape conjugated to the profile of the frame 6 and acting as guide of the frame 6. The frame 6 is slide- or slider-shaped, substantially plate-like, with a central recess (not shown) closed by a door member 7. The latter is mounted on the frame 6 and is adapted to selectively allow air transit through the ventilation openings 3.

[0024] Referring specifically to Figures 5 to 7, the base member 5 extends in the longitudinal direction of the helmet 1, from a front portion 2a to a top portion 2b of the cap 2, and the frame 6 is slidably movable between at least one first ventilation operating position 5a in the region of the front portion 2a of the helmet and a second ventilation operating position 5b in the region of the top portion 2b. As can be observed from the figures, the ventilation openings 3 are in an intermediate position between the first ventilation operating position 5a and the second ventilation operating position 5b and are therefore always hidden by the frame 6 and the door member 7. This configuration makes the ventilation device extremely efficient, as it allows air transit control in both of the two ventilation operating positions 5a, 5b.

[0025] Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment it is observed that the first ventilation operating position 5a and the second ventilation operating position 5b are end-of-stroke positions, made at the longitudinal ends of the base member 5 and therefore respectively in the region of the front portion 2a and the top portion 2b of the cap 2. For the sake of brevity in the explanation, the first ventilation operating position 5a and the second ventilation operating position 5b will hereinafter be referred to as end-of-stroke positions 5a, 5b.

[0026] The door member 7 is movable with respect to the frame 6 in both of its end-of-stroke positions 5a, 5b, between one closing position, in which it prevents air flow through the ventilation openings 3, and one opening position, in which it allows air flow transit.

[0027] Thanks to the movement of the frame 6 between the two end-of-stroke positions 5a, 5b, it is possible to perfectly ventilate the helmet 1 both when the motorcyclist is in a touristic driving position, in which the air flow impinging on the helmet exerts maximum pressure in the front portion 2a, and when he/she is in a sport driving position, in which air flow pressure is maximum in the top portion 2b. In fact, in both of the end-of-stroke positions 5a, 5b, air always transits through the same ventilation openings 3. This embodiment has the advantage of providing a ventilation device that is compact and of easy manufacturing.

[0028] Figures 1, 3 and 5 specifically show the helmet 1 with the ventilation device 4 configured for a touristic driving position. In this position, the motorcyclist keeps the head in a substantially vertical position and the air flow, schematically indicated by arrows A, impinges on the cap 2 of the helmet 1 mainly in the front portion 2a. As may be seen, the frame 6 is in the end-of-stroke position 5a in the region of the front portion 2a of the cap 2, i.e. in the point of maximum pressure from the air flow.

[0029] Figures 2, 4 and 6 show instead the helmet 1 with the ventilation device 4 configured for a sport driving position. In this position, the motorcyclist keeps the head in a position tilted to the front portion of the motorcycle, therefore the air flow, in this case as well schematically indicated by arrows A, impinges on the cap 2 of the helmet 1 mainly in the top portion 2b. As may be seen, in this case the frame 6 is in the end-of-stroke position 5b in the region of the top portion 2b of the cap 2, thereby allowing to exploit also in this case the zone of maximum incidence of the air flow.

[0030] Essentially, according to an aspect of the present invention, the air inlet zone (in jargon referred to as "air intake") toward the ventilation openings 3 is movable depending on the position of the user's head.

[0031] When the door member 7 lies in the opening position, air enters through the ventilation openings 3 and is then conveyed into a first canalization 8 connected to the openings 3 and made in the padding 9 in a longitudinal direction immediately below the cap 2. Subsequently, air reaches a second canalization 10 made in the direction of the thickness of the padding 9 near the top portion 2b of the cap 2 and communicating with the first canalization 8 and the internal space 11 of the helmet 1. The arrangement and configuration of the canalizations 8, 10 are such as to allow air flow inlet, with the frame 6 both in the first and second end-of-stroke positions 5a, 5b. In particular, the first canalization extends in a longitudinal direction for at least the entire travel of the frame 6 and the second canalization 10 has the shape of a funnel with a wide section adapted to foster air transit toward the internal space of the helmet.

[0032] Referring specifically to the detail view shown in Figure 7, the door member 7 is a tilting member, i.e., hinged on the frame 6 by a pair of projections 7a, 7b engaging in corresponding seats made in the frame 6, which allows to rapidly and single-handedly go from the closing position to the opening one, and vice versa. Moreover, the door member 7 can be blocked in the opening and closing positions, e.g. by making non-cylindrical projections 7a, 7b and coupling them with opposing members such as to generate holding forces on the projections 7a, 7b.

[0033] An advantage of the use of a tilting-type door member 7 lies in that the latter acts as a sort of air deflector and facilitates inlet in the ventilation openings 3.

[0034] In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, showing only the projection 7a, the projections 7a, 7b are made in an intermediate portion of the door member 7 in a longitudinal direction, so that in the opening position air enters in the region of both of the longitudinal ends of the door member 7. This aspect is advantageous, since it allows abundant air flow toward the inside of the helmet with a very limited rotation of the door member 7, which minimises the onset of aerodynamic noise during running.

[0035] The door member 7 preferably has a curved shape, which perfectly joints with the frame 6, forming therewith a single body in the closing position. This aspect is advantageous in that it fosters the movement of the frame 6 between the two end-of stroke positions 5a, 5b moreover providing excellent tactile feedback to the motorcyclist, who usually performs these adjusting manipulations wearing gloves, and therefore under conditions of reduced sensitivity to the touch.

[0036] The embodiment of the motorcycle helmet described and illustrated herein constitutes merely an example susceptible of numerous variants. For instance, the door member 7 might be provided with a plurality of shaped projections (not shown) obtained on its external surface and adapted to foster air flow inlet in the ventilation openings 3 and in the canalizations 8, 10 made in the helmet. Again, the door member 7 might have more than one opening position in respect to the frame 6, thereby allowing a fine adjustment of air flow inlet. Moreover, the ventilation device 4 of the helmet 1 according to the present invention can advantageously be combined with at least one or plural further ventilation devices, e.g. a ventilation device located in a rear portion 2c of the cap 2, allowing to create plural ventilation paths in the internal space 11 adapted to contribute to the maintaining of temperatures pleasant to the user and prevent the formation of condensate.

Claims

1. A protection helmet (1) comprising a cap (2), a ventilation opening (3) located in a top portion of the cap (2), and a ventilation device (4) located in the region of said at least one ventilation opening (3), said ventilation device (4) comprising a frame (6) and a door member (7) located on said frame (6) and adapted to allow air transit through said at least one ventilation opening (3), characterised in that said frame (6) is alternatively movable between at least one first ventilation operating position (5a) in the region of a front portion (2a) of the cap (2) and a second ventilation operating position (5b) in the region of a top portion (2b) of the cap (2), and in that the door member (7) is movable with respect to the frame (6), in said first ventilation operating position (5a) and second ventilation operating position (5b), between one closing position and at least one opening position.

2. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the frame (6) covers the ventilation opening (3) both in the first ventilation operating position (5a) and in the second ventilation operating position (5b).

3. The helmet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (6) is slidably mounted on a base member (5) extending in a longitudinal direction of the helmet (1) from the front portion (2a) to the top portion (2b) of the cap (2).

4. The helmet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and the second ventilation operating positions (5a, 5b) are end-of-stroke positions of the frame (6).

5. The helmet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation openings (3) communicate with a plurality of canalizations (8, 10) made in the padding (9) of the helmet (1) and communicating with the internal space (11) thereof.

6. The helmet according to the preceding claim, wherein said canalizations (8, 10) comprise a first canalization (8) made in the padding (9) in a longitudinal direction below the cap (2) and a second canalization (10) made in the thickness of the padding (9) near the top portion (2b) of the cap (2) and communicating with the first canalization (8) and the internal space (11) of the helmet (1).

7. The helmet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the door member (7) is hinged on the frame (6) by a pair of projections (7a, 7b) adapted to engage in corresponding seats made in the frame (6).

8. The helmet according to the preceding claim, wherein the projections (7a, 7b) of the door member (7) are in an intermediate portion thereof in a longitudinal direction.

9. The helmet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the door member (7) has a curved shape configured so as to joint with the frame (6) forming therewith a single body in the closing position.

10. The helmet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the door member (7) is provided with a plurality of shaped projections made on its external surface and adapted to channel the air flow to the ventilation openings (3) and the canalizations (8, 10) made in the helmet.

Drawing