HELMET

Abstract

 The present invention refers to a helmet (1), particularly protective helmet for work or sports, including: a structure (2) having at least one substantially convex outer surface (2a) and at least one substantially concave inner surface (2b); at least one protective body (3), preferably made of polystyrene, having a first portion (3a) engageable to the inner surface (2b) of the structure (2) and at least a second portion (3b) having at least one concavity (3c) adapted to receive in engagement the head of a user. The helmet (1) comprises at least a coupling mechanism (6) operatively interposed between the structure (2) and the protective body (3) to ensure a removable engagement of the latter to the structure (2) of the helmet (1). The coupling mechanism (6) comprises: at least one coupling seat (7), preferably realized on the protective body (3); at least one coupling element (8), preferably arranged on the structure (2) of the helmet (2), even more preferably protruding from the inner surface (2b) of the latter, the coupling element (8) engaging the coupling seat (7) so that the protective body (3) can be positioned according to at least two different positions, preferably a plurality of different positions, with respect to the structure (2) of the helmet (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a helmet, particularly protective helmet for work or sports.

[0002] The object of the present invention belongs to the field of helmets, headpieces and/or similar safety protective headgears which can be used during the performing of dangerous and risky activities, such as those carried out in construction sites, mines, oil platforms, by firefighters, by first aid providers, by mountain climbers or those carried out in any field where it is necessary to protect the head of the users.

[0003] The object of the present invention is also suitable to be applied in the field of sports helmets, such as for example those intended for cycling, horse riding, skiing and for any other sports activity requiring the use of helmets.

[0004] As known, protective helmets for work generally comprise a structure having at least one convex outer surface and at least one concave inner surface adapted to receive in engagement the head of a user.

[0005] The inner surface of the helmet structure is usually equipped with a protective body made of a material suitable for shock and impacts absorption, such as polystyrene.

[0006] Generally, the protective bodies of the aforementioned helmets are made by molding in a single polystyrene monobloc which has a predetermined density on all parts of the protective body.

[0007] The protective bodies are usually engaged to the helmet structure by means of special interlocks so as to be removable if necessary.

[0008] Although the helmets described above provide for the removable engagement of the respective protective bodies, the Applicant has found that they are not free from some drawbacks and can be improved under various respects, mainly in relation to the practicality and ease of assembly and disassembly of the protective bodies with respect to the structure of the helmet, as well as the adjustment of the positions of the protective bodies with respect to the structure of the helmet.

[0009] The main object of the present invention is to propose a helmet which allows the assembly and disassembly of the protective body with respect to the structure in an easy, practical and rapid way.

[0010] It is also an object of the present invention to propose a helmet that allows a simple adjustment of the positions, in particular in height, of the protective body with respect to the structure of the helmet.

[0011] The above specified and yet further objects are substantially achieved by a helmet, particularly protective helmet for work or sports, as stated and described in the following claims.

[0012] There is now provided, by way of example, the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a helmet, particularly protective helmet for work or sports.

[0013] Such description will be made herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided for indicative purposes only and therefore not limiting, wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a helmet, particularly protective helmet for work, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the helmet of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlargement of a detail of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the protective body of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 5 is an exploded longitudinal section of the protective body of Figure 4.

[0014] With reference to Figures 1 to 2, number 1 generally indicates a helmet, particularly protective helmet for work or sports, according to the present invention.

[0015] As visible in Figures 1 and 2, the helmet 1 comprises a structure 2 having at least one convex outer surface 2a and at least one concave inner surface 2b (Figure 2) adapted to receive in engagement the head of a user. The helmet 1 further comprises at least one protective body 3 (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5) made of a material capable of absorbing shocks and impacts, preferably polystyrene. The protective body 3 has a first portion 3a engageable to the inner surface 2b of the structure 2 and at least a second portion 3b having at least one concavity 3c (Figures 2 and 5) adapted to receive in engagement the head of a user.

[0016] For the purposes of the present invention, the protective body 3 can be made in a single piece or in two or more components.

[0017] Advantageously, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, the protective body 3 comprises a base element 4 made up of a first material suitable for shock and impacts absorption, preferably polystyrene, having a first predetermined density value D1.

[0018] As visible in Figures 2 and 5, the base element 4 has a concave surface 4a defining the concavity 3c of the protective body 3 and at least one housing cavity 4b facing away with respect to the concave surface 4a.

[0019] As visible in Figures 1 to 4, the housing cavity 4b of the base element 4 is preferably located on the top of the latter.

[0020] More and more in detail, the housing cavity 4b of the base element 4 is defined by a bottom 4c and by at least one side wall 4d extending transversely to the bottom 4c.

[0021] The bottom 4c of the housing cavity 4b of the base element 4 has a substantially circular or oval shape from the periphery of which the side wall 4d extends.

[0022] As visible in the sections shown in Figures 2 and 4, the concave surface 4a of the base element 4 is spaced from the bottom 4c of the respective housing cavity 4b by an intermediate thickness 4e of the first material with which the base element 4 is made.

[0023] With reference to Figure 1, the housing cavity 4b of the base element 4 of the protective body 3 and the concavity 3c of the same are in fluid communication by means of a plurality of aeration through openings 4f obtained through the thickness of material 4e, between the bottom 4c of the housing cavity 4b and the concave surface 4a of the base element 4.

[0024] The base element 4 also has at least one outer annular portion 4g and at least one inner annular portion 4h defining the housing cavity 4b.

[0025] The outer annular portion 4g and the inner annular portion 4h are separated by at least one interspace 4i, preferably a plurality of interspaces 4i arranged to form substantially a ring.

[0026] The outer annular portion 4g and the inner annular portion 4h are connected to each other by at least one junction portion 4j, preferably a plurality of junction portions 4j, developing radially with respect to the annular portions 4g, 4h.

[0027] Advantageously, the first density value D1 of the first material with which the base element 4 is made is between 70 g/l and 110 g/l.

[0028] As visible in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, the protective body 3 further comprises at least one protective insert 5 which is at least partially insertable in the housing cavity 4b of the base element 4.

[0029] The protective insert 5 comprises at least a peripheral portion 5a at least partially, preferably totally, complementarily shaped to the side wall 4d of the housing cavity 4b of the base element 4.

[0030] The protective insert 5 also comprises at least one base portion 5b arranged to rest on or to lie near the bottom 4c of the housing cavity 4b of the base element 4.

[0031] The protective insert 5 is also provided with at least one head portion 5c arranged on the opposite side to the base portion 5b and arranged to rest against or to lie near the concave inner surface 2b of the structure 2 of the helmet 1.

[0032] The protective insert 5 of the protective body 3 has a substantially alveolar structure, provided with a plurality of through and/or blind openings 5d defined by corresponding partition walls 5e oriented transversely each other.

[0033] Preferably, the protective insert 5 of the protective body 3 is made of a second material for shock and/or impact absorption, advantageously polystyrene, having a second predetermined different density value D2, preferably lower, than the first density value D1 of the first material of the base element 4 of the protective body 3.

[0034] In accordance with an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the second density value D2 of the second material with which the protective insert 5 of the protective body 3 is made is between 20 g/l and 40 g/l. According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the helmet 1 comprises at least a coupling mechanism 6 (Figures 2 and 3) operatively interposed between the structure 2 and the protective body 3 to ensure a removable engagement of the latter to the structure 2.

[0035] The coupling mechanism 6 comprises at least one coupling seat 7, preferably made on the protective body 3 and at least one coupling element 8, preferably arranged on the structure 2 of the helmet 1, even more preferably protruding from the inner surface 2b of the latter.

[0036] The coupling element 8 is arranged to engage the coupling seat 7 in such a way that the protective body 3 can be positioned according to at least two different positions, preferably a plurality of different positions, with respect to the structure 2 of the helmet 1.

[0037] In detail, the coupling seat 7 and the coupling element 8 of the coupling mechanism 6 are configured so as to allow adjustment, in height, of the protective body 3 with respect to the structure 2 of the helmet 1.

[0038] As visible in the enlargement of Figure 3, the coupling seat 7 of the coupling mechanism 6 comprises at least one cavity 7a made in the protective body 3 and at least one fixing button 7b which can be placed inside the cavity 7a of the coupling seat 7, preferably fixable to the cavity 7a of the coupling seat 7 in such a way as to remain inside the latter according to a predetermined position.

[0039] The fixing button 7b has a substantially truncated-cone shaped frame on which at least one latching slot 7c (Figures 3 and 5) is obtained, preferably at least partly elastically deformable, due to an engagement, preferably by snap or by interference, of the coupling element 8 of the coupling mechanism 6.

[0040] Advantageously, the coupling element 8 comprises at least an engagement pin 8a provided with two or more surface projections 8b.

[0041] Each surface projection 8b of the engagement pin 8a determines a relative position, preferably, in height, between the protective body 3 and the helmet 1 structure 2.

[0042] As visible in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, the cavity 7a of the coupling seat 7 is realized on the base element 4 of the protective body 3, preferably on the inner annular portion 4h of the base element 4.

[0043] The cavity 7a of the coupling seat 7 faces toward the same side as the housing cavity 4h of the base element 4, i.e. on the opposite side with respect to the concave surface 4a of the latter.

[0044] As visible in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, the coupling mechanism 6 comprises at least two coupling seats 7 aligned along a longitudinal axis of the protective body 3, disposed respectively in a front portion and in a rear portion of the latter.

[0045] Each coupling seat 7 of the coupling mechanism 6 is formed near the housing cavity 4b of the base element 4 of the protective body 3.

[0046] It should be noted that the coupling mechanism 6 described above can be applied both to protective bodies 3 provided with two or more components as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, or to monobloc protective bodies. The helmet according to the present invention solves the problems observed in the known technique and achieves important advantages.

[0047] First of all, through the coupling mechanism the engagement between the protective body and the helmet structure has excellent stability.

[0048] It should also be noted that the coupling mechanism allows the assembly or disassembly of the protective body on the helmet structure in an easy, simple and rapid way.

[0049] Furthermore, the coupling mechanism between the protective body and the helmet structure allows for an easy and effortless adjustment of the height of the protective body, giving the helmet itself greater adaptability to the size of the user's head. Depending on the size of the user's head, the height adjustment of the protective body prevents the structure of the helmet from reducing the visibility of the user wearing the helmet.

Claims

1. Helmet (1), particularly protective helmet for work or sports, including:

a structure (2) having at least one substantially convex outer surface (2a) and at least one substantially concave inner surface (2b);

at least one protective body (3), preferably made up of polystyrene, having a first portion (3a) engageable to the inner surface (2b) of the structure (2) and at least a second portion (3b) having at least one concavity (3c) adapted to receive in engagement the head of a user;

characterized in that it further comprises at least a coupling mechanism (6) operatively interposed between the structure (2) and the protective body (3) to ensure a removable engagement of the latter to the structure (2) of the helmet (1), the coupling mechanism (6) comprising:

at least one coupling seat (7), preferably realized on the protective body (3);

at least one coupling element (8), preferably arranged on the structure (2) of the helmet (2), even more preferably protruding from the inner surface (2b) of the latter, the coupling element (8) engaging the coupling seat (7) so that the protective body (3) can be positioned according to at least two different positions, preferably a plurality of different positions, with respect to the structure (2) of the helmet (1).

2. Helmet (1) according to claim 1, wherein the coupling seat (7) and the coupling element (8) of the coupling mechanism (6) are configured so as to allow a height adjustment of the protective body (3) with respect to the structure (2) of the helmet (1).

3. Helmet (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling seat (7) comprises:

at least one cavity (7a) realized on the protective body (3);

at least one fixing button (7b) which can be placed inside the cavity (7a) of the coupling seat (7), preferably fixable to the cavity (7a) of the coupling seat (7), the fixing button (7b) presenting at least one hooking slot (7c), preferably at least partly elastically deformable, due to an engagement, preferably with a snap and/or by interference, of the coupling element (8) of the coupling mechanism (6).

4. Helmet (1) according to claim 3, wherein the coupling element (8) of the coupling mechanism (6) comprises at least one engagement pin (8a) provided with two or more surface reliefs (8b), each surface relief (8b) of the engagement pin (8a) determining a relative position between the protective body (3) and the structure (2) of the helmet (1).

5. Helmet (1) according to claim 4, wherein the coupling mechanism (6) comprises at least two coupling seats (7) aligned along a longitudinal axis of the protective body (3), a first coupling seat (7) being arranged in a front portion of the protective body (3), a second coupling seat (7) being disposed in a rear portion of the protective body (3), the coupling mechanism (6) comprising a coupling element (8) for each coupling seat (7) made on the protective body (3).

6. Helmet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective body (2) comprises a base element (4) made up of a first material for absorbing shocks and/or impacts, preferably polystyrene, having a first predetermined density value (D1), the base element (4) presenting a concave surface (4a) defining the concavity (3c) of the protective body (3) and at least one housing cavity (4b) facing opposite with respect to the surface concave (3c);
a protective insert (5) made up of a second material for absorbing shocks and/or impacts, preferably polystyrene, having a second predetermined different density value (D2), preferably lower, than the first density value (D1) of the first material of the base element (4), the protective insert (5) being at least partially insertable in the housing cavity (4b) of the base element (4).

7. Helmet (1) according to claim 6, wherein the housing cavity (4b) of the base element (4) is defined by a bottom (4c) and by at least one side wall (4d) extending transversely to the bottom (4c), the concave surface (4a) of the base element (4) being spaced from the bottom (4c) of the respective housing cavity (4b) by an intermediate thickness (4e) of the first material.

8. Helmet (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the base element (4) comprises:

at least one outer annular portion (4g);

at least one inner annular portion (4h) defining the housing cavity (4b) for the protective insert (3), the outer annular portion (4g) and the inner annular portion (4h) being separated by at least one interspace (4i), preferably a plurality of cavities (4i) arranged substantially according to a ring, the outer annular portion (4g) and the inner annular portion (4h) being connected by at least one junction portion (4j) extending radially to the annular portions (4i, 4j), preferably a plurality of junction portions (4j) developing radially to the annular portions (4i, 4j).

9. Helmet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective insert (3) comprises:

at least a peripheral portion (5a) at least partially complementarily shaped to the side wall (4d) of the housing cavity (4b) of the base element (4);

at least one base portion (5b) arranged to rest on or to lie near the bottom (4c) of the housing cavity (4b) of the base element (4);

at least one head portion (5c) arranged on the opposite side to the base portion (5b) arranged to support against, or to lie near the inner concave surface (2b) of the structure (2) of the helmet (1).

10. Helmet (1) according to claim 9, wherein the protective insert (3) has a honeycomb structure provided with at least one dividing partition (5e), preferably a plurality of partition walls (5e) oriented transversely with respect to one another.

11. Helmet (1) according to any one of Claims 6 to 10, wherein the first density value (D1) of the first material of the base element (4) is between 70 g/l and 110 g/l.

12. Helmet (1) according to any one of Claims 6 to 11, wherein the second density value (D2) of the second material of the protective insert (3) is between 20 g/l and 40 g/l.

13. Helmet (1) according to any one of Claims 6 to 12, wherein the cavity (7a) of the coupling seat (7) of the coupling mechanism (6) is realized in the base element (4) of the protective body (3), preferably on the inner annular portion (4h) of the latter, the cavity (7a) of the coupling seat (7) faces toward the same part of the housing cavity (4b) of the base element (4), i.e. on the opposite side with respect to the concave surface (4a) of the latter.

14. Helmet (1) according to any one of Claims 6 to 13, wherein each coupling seat (7) of the coupling mechanism (6) is realized near the housing cavity (4b) of the base element (4).

Drawing