CHIN GUARD LOCKING MEANS

Abstract

 The present disclosure relates to a chin guard locking means. The chin guard locking means according to the present disclosure is provided in a helmet including a helmet body (10) and a chin guard (20) pivotally coupled to the helmet body (10), and comprises: a first fastening part (100) which is provided at one side of the chin guard (20); and a second fastening part (200) which is provided in the helmet body (10), and when the chin guard (20) is in a predetermined position, is slid and fastened to the first fastening part (100).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a chin guard locking means.

[Background Art]

[0002] In general, it is mandatory to wear a helmet while driving a two wheeled vehicle with high speed to protect the wearer's head. The helmet has a front open portion to ensure the wearer's frontal field of view. The helmet may include a shield that can selectively open and close the open portion to keep out wind, dust, etc. while driving.

[0003] Meanwhile, the conventional helmet includes a chin guard to protect the wearer's chin as disclosed in the patent literature of the related literatures described below. In this instance, the chin guard may pivot between a closed position and an open position, and when the chin guard is in the open position, there is no means for stably locking the chin guard.

[RELATED LITERATURES]

[Patent Literature]

[0004] (Patent Literature 1) KR10-2014-0001141 A

[Disclosure]

[Technical Problem]

[0005] The present disclosure is designed to solve the above-described problem, and therefore an aspect of the present disclosure relates to a chin guard locking means for stably locking a chin guard when the chin guard is in a predetermined position (an open position) by employing a first fastening portion and a second fastening portion slidably fastened to the first fastening portion.

[Technical Solution]

[0006] A chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided in a helmet including a helmet body and a chin guard pivotably coupled to the helmet body, and includes a first fastening portion disposed on one side of the chin guard, and a second fastening portion disposed in the helmet body, and slidably fastened to the first fastening portion when the chin guard is in a predetermined position.

[0007] Additionally, in the chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second fastening portion slides between a first position and a second position with respect to the helmet body, when the second fastening portion is in the first position, the second fastening portion is not fastened to the first fastening portion, and when the second fastening portion is in the second position, the second fastening portion is fastened to the first fastening portion.

[0008] Additionally, in the chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first fastening portion protrudes from an inner side of the chin guard, and the second fastening portion is fastened in contact with one side of the first fastening portion.

[0009] Additionally, the chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a first pressing member configured to press the second fastening portion into the first position.

[0010] Additionally, the chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a locking member configured to lock the second fastening portion when the second fastening portion is in the second position.

[0011] Additionally, in the chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking member is slidably coupled to the second fastening portion when the second fastening portion moves to the second position.

[0012] Additionally, in the chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second fastening portion has an accommodation portion, and the locking member is slidably inserted into the accommodation portion when the second fastening portion moves to the second position.

[0013] Additionally, the chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a second pressing member configured to press the locking member toward the second fastening portion.

[0014] Additionally, in the chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking member has a manipulation portion protruded to be manipulated in a direction opposite to a direction in which the second pressing member presses.

[0015] Additionally, in the chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking member comes into contact with one side of the second fastening portion when the second fastening portion is in the first position, and when the second fastening portion moves to the second position, the locking member slides and separates from one side of the second fastening portion.

[0016] Additionally, in the chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, one side of the second fastening portion that contacts the locking member is a protruding portion protruded to come into contact with the locking member.

[0017] Additionally, the chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a guide portion configured to guide the second fastening portion to slide between the first position and the second position.

[0018] Additionally, in the chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, any one of the helmet body and the first fastening portion has a protrusion portion, the other one of the helmet body and the first fastening portion has a recess portion that matches the protrusion portion, and when the chin guard is in the predetermined position, the protrusion portion is inserted into the recess portion.

[0019] The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Prior to the description, it should be understood that the terms or words used in the specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to general and dictionary meanings, but rather interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical spirit of the present disclosure on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to define terms appropriately for the best explanation.

[Advantageous Effects]

[0021] According to the present disclosure, it may be possible to stably lock the chin guard when the chin guard is in a predetermined position (an open position) by employing the first fastening portion and the second fastening portion slidably fastened to the first fastening portion.

[Description of Drawings]

[0022] 

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded perspective view of a chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3 to 6 are side views of a chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7 to 11 are side views showing an operation process of a chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[Best Mode]

[0023] The objectives, particular advantages and new features of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description and exemplary embodiments in association with the accompanying drawings. In affixing the reference numbers to the elements of each drawing in the present disclosure, it should be noted that identical elements are given as identical numbers as possible although they are depicted in different drawings. Additionally, the terms such as "first", "second" or the like are used to distinguish one element from another, and the elements are not limited by the terms. Hereinafter, in describing the present disclosure, when it is determined that a certain description of related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure, the detailed description is omitted.

[0024] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded perspective view of the chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the chin guard locking means according to this embodiment is provided in a helmet including a helmet body 10 and a chin guard 20 pivotably coupled to the helmet body 10, and includes a first fastening portion 100 disposed on one side of the chin guard 20, and a second fastening portion 200 disposed in the helmet body 10 and slidably fastened to the first fastening portion 100 when the chin guard 20 is in a predetermined position.

[0027] Basically, the helmet body 10 plays a role in protecting a wearer's head. The helmet body 10 may be made of a shock absorbing material. For example, the helmet body 10 may include an outer shell of hard synthetic resin and having high strength, and an absorber disposed in the outer shell, made of an expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam and having proper strength and elasticity. A pad may be present inside the absorber to improve a snug fit.

[0028] Additionally, the chin guard 20 plays a role in protecting the wearer's chin, and may be extended in such an arc shape as a whole that it is disposed in front of the wearer's chin. In this instance, the chin guard 20 is pivotable from a closed position to an open position with two ends rotatably coupled to two sides of the helmet body 10 (for example, a ratchet portion 30). For example, the chin guard 20 may pivot along two slit portions 35 formed in the ratchet portion 30, but is not necessarily limited thereto. On the other hand, the closed position may refer to a position when the chin guard 20 is disposed in front of the wearer's chin (see FIG. 1A), and the open position may refer to a position when the chin guard 20 is disposed above the helmet body 10 (see FIG. 1B).

[0029] When the chin guard 20 is disposed in the predetermined position (the open position, above the helmet body 10), in order to prevent the chin guard 20 from arbitrarily pivoting, the chin guard locking means is provided to lock the chin guard 20, and the chin guard locking means includes the first fastening portion 100 and the second fastening portion 200.

[0030] The first fastening portion 100 is disposed on one side of the chin guard 20. In this instance, the first fastening portion 100 may protrude from the inner side of the chin guard 20. For example, the first fastening portion 100 may be coupled and fixed to two inner sides of the chin guard 20 by screws. Additionally, when the chin guard 20 is in the predetermined position (the open position), one side 105 of the first fastening portion 100 may be extended to respond to a direction in which the second fastening portion 200 slides. Accordingly, when the chin guard 20 is in the predetermined position (the open position), the second fastening portion 200 may slide (see the arrow in FIG. 1B), and be fastened in contact with one side 105 of the first fastening portion 100.

[0031] On the other hand, when the chin guard 20 is in the predetermined position (the open position), the first fastening portion 100 may come into contact with a mounting portion 15 disposed in the helmet body 10. As described above, when the first fastening portion 100 disposed in the chin guard 20 comes into contact with the mounting portion 15 disposed in the helmet body, it may be possible to prevent the chin guard 20 from pivoting over the predetermined position (the open position). Eventually, when the second fastening portion 200 slides and is fastened in contact with one side 105 of the first fastening portion 100, the first fastening portion 100 may be locked between the second fastening portion 200 and the mounting portion 15. In this instance, the pivoting of the chin guard 20 may be restricted.

[0032] The second fastening portion 200 is disposed in the helmet body 10, and is slidably fastened to the first fastening portion 100 when the chin guard 20 is in the predetermined position (the open position). For example, the second fastening portion 200 may be slidably disposed in the ratchet portion 30 of the helmet body 10. Here, the second fastening portion 200 may slide between a first position and a second position with respect to the helmet body 10 (the ratchet portion 30). In this instance, when the second fastening portion 200 is in the first position (see FIG. 3), the second fastening portion 200 is not fastened to the first fastening portion 100, and when the second fastening portion 200 is in the second position (see FIG. 4), the second fastening portion 200 may be fastened to the first fastening portion 100. That is, when the second fastening portion 200 is in the first position (see FIG. 3), the second fastening portion 200 and the first fastening portion 100 do not interfere with each other, thereby allowing the chin guard 20 to freely pivot. In contrast, when the chin guard 20 is in the predetermined position (the open position), in the case where the second fastening portion 200 is in the second position (see FIG. 4), the second fastening portion 200 may be fastened to the first fastening portion 100, and the chin guard 20 may be locked in the predetermined position (the open position). Specifically, because the first fastening portion 100 protrudes from the inner side of the chin guard 20, when the chin guard 20 is in the predetermined position (the open position), as the second fastening portion 200 slides to the second position, the second fastening portion 200 may contact one side 105 of the first fastening portion 100 and be fastened to the first fastening portion 100. Here, the second fastening portion 200 may be slidably moved by the wearer's force. Accordingly, when the chin guard 20 is in the predetermined position (the open position), as the wearer moves the second fastening portion 200 from the first position to the second position, the second fastening portion 200 may be fastened to the first fastening portion 100, and as a result, the chin guard 20 may be locked in the predetermined position (the open position).

[0033] On the other hand, a guide portion 240 may be provided to guide the second fastening portion 200 to slide between the first position and the second position. As shown in FIG. 2B, the guide portion 240 may include an elongated slit portion 241 passing through the helmet body 10 (the ratchet portion 30), an extension portion 243 extended on the inner side of the slit portion 241 along the length direction of the slit portion 241, and a guide protrusion 245 protruded from the second fastening portion 200 and coupled to the extension portion 243 so that it may slide along the extension portion 243. Here, the guide protrusion 245 may be coupled to the extension portion 243 and slide along the extension portion 243, and in this instance, the slidable range of the guide protrusion 245 may be limited to the size of the slit portion 241. As described above, because the slidable range of the guide protrusion 245 is limited to the size of the slit portion 241, the slidable range of the second fastening portion 200 having the guide protrusion 245 may be also limited to the first position and the second position.

[0034] Additionally, a locking member 300 may be provided to lock the second fastening portion 200 when the second fastening portion 200 is in the second position (see FIG. 4). Here, the locking member 300 may be slidably coupled to the helmet body 10 (for example, the ratchet portion 30). For example, the locking member 300 may be disposed at an elongated groove portion 305 formed at the ratchet portion 30 in a direction perpendicular to the second fastening portion 200, and may slide by the guidance of the groove portion 305. Accordingly, when the second fastening portion 200 moves to the second position, the locking member 300 may slide toward the second fastening portion 200 and be coupled to the second fastening portion 200. Specifically, the second fastening portion 200 may have an accommodation portion 220, and when the second fastening portion 200 moves to the second position, the locking member 300 may slide toward the second fastening portion 200 and the end of the locking member 300 may be inserted into the accommodation portion 220 of the second fastening portion 200. As described above, when the locking member 300 is inserted into the accommodation portion 220 of the second fastening portion 200, the second fastening portion 200 may be kept locked in the second position by the locking member 300.

[0035] On the other hand, a second pressing member 310 may be provided to press the locking member 300 toward the second fastening portion 200. In this instance, the second pressing member 310 may press the locking member 300 toward the second fastening portion 200 such that one end contacts the helmet body 10 (for example, the ratchet portion 30) and the other end contacts the locking member 300. The second pressing member 310 is not limited to a particular type, but for example, may be a compression spring. As described above, because the second pressing member 310 presses the locking member 300 toward the second fastening portion 200, when the second fastening portion 200 moves to the second position, the locking member 300 may be automatically inserted into the accommodation portion 220 of the second fastening portion 200 by the pressing force of the second pressing member 310.

[0036] As described above, when the locking member 300 is pressed toward the second fastening portion 200 by the second pressing member 310, the locking member 300 may be inserted into the accommodation portion 220 of the second fastening portion 200 and the second fastening portion 200 may be locked in the second position. In this instance, to move the second fastening portion 200 to the first position again, it is necessary to remove the locking member 300 from the accommodation portion 220 of the second fastening portion 200. As shown in FIG. 5, when the wearer moves the locking member 300 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the second pressing member 310 presses (in a direction facing away from the second fastening portion 200), the locking member 300 may be decoupled from the second fastening portion 200. On the other hand, a first pressing member 210 may be provided to press the second fastening portion 200 to the first position. Here, the first pressing member 210 may press the second fastening portion 200 to the first position such that one end contacts the helmet body 10 (for example, the ratchet portion 30) and the other end contacts the inner side of the second fastening portion 200. The first pressing member 210 is not limited to a particular type, but for example, may be a compression spring. As described above, because the first pressing member 210 presses the second fastening portion 200 to the first position, when the locking member 300 is decoupled from the second fastening portion 200 (see FIG. 5), the second fastening portion 200 may automatically move to the first position by the first pressing member 210 (see FIG. 3). That is, when the wearer manipulates the locking member 300 to decouple the locking member 300 from the second fastening portion 200 (see FIG. 5), the second fastening portion 200 automatically moves to the first position by the first pressing member 210 (see FIG. 3).

[0037] On the other hand, to allow the wearer to easily manipulate the locking member 300, the locking member 300 may have a manipulation portion 320 protruded to be manipulated in the direction opposite to the direction in which the second pressing member 310 presses. Accordingly, when the wearer manipulates the manipulation portion 320 to move the locking member 300 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the second pressing member 310 presses (in the direction facing away from the second fastening portion 200), the locking member 300 may be easily decoupled from the second fastening portion 200.

[0038] In addition, when the second fastening portion 200 is in the first position, the end of the locking member 300 contacts one side of the second fastening portion 200 (see FIG. 3), and as shown in FIG. 6, when the second fastening portion 200 moves to the second position, as the locking member 300 slides in the direction facing away from the second fastening portion 200, the end of the locking member 300 may be separated from one side of the second fastening portion 200. Here, one side of the second fastening portion 200 that contacts the locking member 300 may be a protruding portion 230 protruded to come into contact with the locking member 300. For example, the protruding portion 230 of the second fastening portion 200 may be a partition wall that defines the accommodation portion 220 of the second fastening portion 200. As described above, when the second fastening portion 200 is in the first position (see FIG. 3), as the end of the locking member 300 comes into contact with one side (the protruding portion 230) of the second fastening portion 200, the second fastening portion 200 may be locked in the first position. However, when the second fastening portion 200 is moved from the first position to the second position by the wearer's force (see FIG. 6), as the locking member 300 slides in the direction facing away from the second fastening portion 200, the end of the locking member 300 may be separated from one side (the protruding portion 230) of the second fastening portion 200. For the movement of the second fastening portion 200 from the first position to the second position by the wearer's force, the end of the locking member 300 and one side (the protruding portion 230) of the second fastening portion 200 that contact each other may be rounded.

[0039] On the other hand, when the second fastening portion 200 is moved from the first position to the second position by the wearer's force (see FIG. 6), as the locking member 300 slides in the direction facing away from the second fastening portion 200, the second pressing member 310 may be compressed, and when the second fastening portion 200 is in the second position (see FIG. 4), the locking member 300 may be automatically inserted into the accommodation portion 220 of the second fastening portion 200 by the pressing force of the second pressing member 310 (see FIG. 4).

[0040] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3, the helmet body 10 (for example, the ratchet portion 30) may have a protrusion portion 110 protruded outward, and the first fastening portion 100 may have a recess portion 120 recessed inward to match the protrusion portion 110. When the chin guard 20 is in the predetermined position (the open position), the protrusion portion 110 formed in the helmet body 10 may be inserted into the recess portion 120 formed in the first fastening portion 100. As described above, when the chin guard 20 is in the predetermined position (the open position), as the protrusion portion 110 is inserted into the recess portion 120, the chin guard 20 may be temporarily locked in the predetermined position (the open position). However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the protrusion portion 110 formed in the helmet body 10 and the recess portion 120 formed in the first fastening portion 100, and the protrusion portion 110 may be formed in the first fastening portion 100, and the recess portion 120 may be formed in the helmet body 10.

[Mode for Invention]

[0041] FIGS. 7 to 11 are side views showing an operation process of the chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the operation process of the chin guard locking means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11.

[0042] To begin with, as shown in FIG. 7, the chin guard 20 may pivot to the predetermined position (the open position). In this instance, as the second fastening portion 200 is in the first position, the second fastening portion 200 and the first fastening portion 100 do not interfere with each other, thereby allowing the chin guard 20 to pivot to the predetermined position (the open position). Additionally, as the end of the locking member 300 contacts one side (the protruding portion 230) of the second fastening portion 200, the second fastening portion 200 may be locked in the first position. On the other hand, as the protrusion portion 110 formed in the helmet body 10 (the ratchet portion 30) is inserted into the recess portion 120 of the first fastening portion 100, the chin guard 20 may be temporarily locked in the predetermined position (the open position).

[0043] Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second fastening portion 200 may be moved from the first position to the second position by the wearer's force. While the second fastening portion 200 moves, as shown in FIG. 8, the end of the locking member 300 may be pressed by one side (the protruding portion 230) of the second fastening portion 200, and the locking member 300 may slide in the direction facing away from the second fastening portion 200, and as a result, the end of the locking member 300 may be separated from one side (the protruding portion 230) of the second fastening portion 200. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9, when the second fastening portion 200 moves to the second position, as the locking member 300 slides toward the second fastening portion 200 by the pressing force of the second pressing member 310, the locking member 300 may be inserted into the accommodation portion 220 of the second fastening portion 200. As the locking member 300 is inserted into the accommodation portion 220 of the second fastening portion 200, the second fastening portion 200 may be locked in the second position. When the second fastening portion 200 is locked in the second position, the second fastening portion 200 may contact one side 105 of the first fastening portion 100, and the second fastening portion 200 may be fastened to the first fastening portion 100. Accordingly, the chin guard 20 coupled to the first fastening portion 100 may be locked in the predetermined position (the open position).

[0044] On the other hand, as the second fastening portion 200 is locked in the second position, the first pressing member 210 that presses the second fastening portion 200 into the first position is kept compressed.

[0045] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10, when the wearer moves the locking member 300 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the second pressing member 310 presses (in the direction facing away from the second fastening portion 200) by applying an external force to the manipulation portion 320, the locking member 300 may be separated from the accommodation portion 220 of the second fastening portion 200 and the locking member 300 may be decoupled from the second fastening portion 200. In this instance, as shown in FIG. 11, the second fastening portion 200 may automatically slidably move to the first position by the pressing force of the compressed first pressing member 210.

[0046] When the second fastening portion 200 slidably moves to the first position, the locking member 300 may move toward the second fastening portion 200 by the pressing force of the second pressing member 310, and in this instance, the end of the locking member 300 may contact one side (the protruding portion 230) of the second fastening portion 200, and the second fastening portion 200 may be locked in the first position.

[0047] As described above, when the second fastening portion 200 moves to the first position, the second fastening portion 200 and the first fastening portion 100 do not interfere with each other. Accordingly, the chin guard 20 may freely pivot from the predetermined position (the open position) toward the closed position.

[0048] While the present disclosure has been hereinabove described in detail through the specific embodiments, this is provided to describe the present disclosure in detail, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that modifications or changes may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art within the technical spirit of the present disclosure.

[0049] Such modifications and changes of the present disclosure fall in the scope of the present disclosure, and the scope of protection of the present disclosure will be apparent from the appended claims.

[Detailed Description of Main Elements]

10:	Helmet body	15:	Mounting portion
20:	Chin guard	30:	Ratchet portion
100:	First fastening portion	105:	One side of first fastening portion
110:	Protrusion portion	120:	Recess portion
200:	Second fastening portion	210:	First pressing member
220:	Accommodation portion	230:	Protruding portion
240:	Guide portion	241:	Slit portion
243:	Extension portion	245:	Guide protrusion
300:	Locking member	305:	Groove portion
310:	Second pressing member	320:	Manipulation portion

[Industrial Applicability]

[0050] The present disclosure provides the chin guard locking means for stably locking the chin guard when the chin guard is in the predetermined position (the open position) by employing the first fastening portion and the second fastening portion slidably fastened to the first fastening portion.

Claims

1. A chin guard locking means provided in a helmet including a helmet body and a chin guard pivotably coupled to the helmet body, the chin guard locking means comprising:

a first fastening portion disposed on one side of the chin guard; and

a second fastening portion disposed in the helmet body, and slidably fastened to the first fastening portion when the chin guard is in a predetermined position.

2. The chin guard locking means according to claim 1, wherein the second fastening portion slides between a first position and a second position with respect to the helmet body,

wherein when the second fastening portion is in the first position, the second fastening portion is not fastened to the first fastening portion, and

wherein when the second fastening portion is in the second position, the second fastening portion is fastened to the first fastening portion.

3. The chin guard locking means according to claim 1, wherein the first fastening portion protrudes from an inner side of the chin guard, and
wherein the second fastening portion is fastened in contact with one side of the first fastening portion.

4. The chin guard locking means according to claim 2, further comprising:
a first pressing member configured to press the second fastening portion into the first position.

5. The chin guard locking means according to claim 2, further comprising:
a locking member configured to lock the second fastening portion when the second fastening portion is in the second position.

6. The chin guard locking means according to claim 5, wherein the locking member is slidably coupled to the second fastening portion when the second fastening portion moves to the second position.

7. The chin guard locking means according to claim 6, wherein the second fastening portion has an accommodation portion, and the locking member is slidably inserted into the accommodation portion when the second fastening portion moves to the second position.

8. The chin guard locking means according to claim 6, further comprising:
a second pressing member configured to press the locking member toward the second fastening portion.

9. The chin guard locking means according to claim 8, wherein the locking member has a manipulation portion protruded to be manipulated in a direction opposite to a direction in which the second pressing member presses.

10. The chin guard locking means according to claim 5, wherein the locking member comes into contact with one side of the second fastening portion when the second fastening portion is in the first position, and
wherein when the second fastening portion moves to the second position, the locking member slides and separates from one side of the second fastening portion.

11. The chin guard locking means according to claim 10, wherein one side of the second fastening portion that contacts the locking member is a protruding portion protruded to come into contact with the locking member.

12. The chin guard locking means according to claim 2, further comprising:
a guide portion configured to guide the second fastening portion to slide between the first position and the second position.

13. The chin guard locking means according to claim 1, wherein any one of the helmet body and the first fastening portion has a protrusion portion,

wherein the other one of the helmet body and the first fastening portion has a recess portion that matches the protrusion portion, and

wherein when the chin guard is in the predetermined position, the protrusion portion is inserted into the recess portion.

Drawing