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EP 0 643 563 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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18.11.1998 Bulletin 1998/47 |
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Date of filing: 11.03.1994 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC)6: A42B 3/04 |
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International application number: |
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PCT/GB9400/485 |
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International publication number: |
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WO 9422/336 (13.10.1994 Gazette 1994/23) |
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AN ARTICLE OF HEADWEAR
KOPFBEDECKUNG
PROTEGE-TETE
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT NL PT SE |
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Priority: |
01.04.1993 GB 9306798
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(43) |
Date of publication of application: |
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22.03.1995 Bulletin 1995/12 |
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Proprietor: HOODCO 446 Limited |
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Willington
County Durham DL15 0PW (GB) |
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Inventor: |
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- STEELE, Mark
Gateshead,
Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7HX (GB)
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Representative: Dempster, Benjamin John Naftel et al |
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Withers & Rogers,
4 Dyer's Buildings,
Holborn London EC1N 2QP London EC1N 2QP (GB) |
(56) |
References cited: :
EP-A- 0 007 432 DE-A- 2 943 472 FR-A- 2 631 789
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EP-A- 0 099 848 FR-A- 2 457 648 US-A- 3 059 519
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The invention relates to an article of headwear.
[0002] Articles of headwear are known in the form of motorcycle helmets allowing the wearer
to see backwards. However, these helmets incorporate individual convex lenses and
flat mirrors to direct light through air. The lenses and mirrors being arranged often
approximately radically to a wearer's head may cause damage on impact to the helmet
by presenting a low surface area of applied load to the head.
[0003] FR 2631789 discloses a helmet with an open, hollow channel through the helmet over
the wearer's head. The helmet has two mirrors on the upper side of the channel and
one mirror on the lower side of the channel. The mirrors direct light from behind
a wearer to the wearer's eyes.
[0004] EP 0007432 discloses a helmet including a series of convex lenses and an optical
fibre in the helmet to enable a wearer to see behind themselves. Three of the lenses
are arranged radially to the wearer's head. The slim optical fibre is on slim radial
mountings. The channel through the helmet is hollow and open to air.
[0005] A further helmet is known from US-A-3 059 519, in which a display is provided, along
with non-straight path means allowing a user to see the display.
[0006] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an article of headwear,
the article not obscuring the majority of the normal field of vision for the wearer,
characterised in that the article includes path means through the article, the path
means defining a non-straight light path to the wearer's eyes, the path means through
the article being at least 75% continuous and comprising at least one transparent
block.
[0007] Preferably the path means is at least 90% continuous, most preferably entirely continuous.
[0008] Preferably the path means comprises a single transparent block.
[0009] In this way, the article of headwear does not include potentially dangerous radially
arranged optical elements.
[0010] The inner surface of the body may be shaped to follow the approximate contour of
at least part of a wearer's head. In this way any applied impact will be spread by
the body over a larger surface area of the wearer's head.
[0011] Preferably the continuous body is the entire path means. The or each block or the
body may be made from any suitable material. Preferably the material has substantial
toughness and the material may be polycarbonate.
[0012] The article of headwear may be a protective helmet such as a motor cycle helmet.
In that case the path means may be provided inside or outside a shell of the helmet
but preferably lies inside the shell. The article of headwear may enable viewing at
any desired angle via the non-straight path defined by the path means. Where the article
of headwear is for an aviator or pilot for example the path means may enable seeing
vertically or to either side and indeed the article of headwear may include a plurality
of path means if desired. The article of headwear may enable seeing behind the wearer.
This may be particularly useful for drivers especially motor cyclists. At present,
motor cyclists commonly either look over their shoulder or in handlebar mounted mirrors.
Looking over your shoulder means that you are not looking ahead for a significant
period of time, while a handlebar mounted mirror often gives a very poor image because
of vibration.
[0013] It is known to provide a display for a pilot, for example, in the form of a head
up display (HUD) which is deflected to appear in the line of sight. Such a display
is normally very close to the pilots eyes so that he must constantly change his focus
from long distance to look out for other aeroplanes etc. to short distance to see
the display. The constant extreme changes of focus can cause eye strain.
[0014] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an article of headwear
characterised in that the article includes a display and path means through the article
defining a non-straight path to the wearer's eye, the path means enabling seeing the
display which is spaced from the wearer's eyes, the path means being at least 75%
continuous and comprising at least one transparent block.
[0015] Because the display is not immediately in front of the wearer's eyes the focal length
is increased and eye strain consequently reduced. The display may be provided outside
the normal field of view of the wearer. In one preferred embodiment the display is
provided towards the back of the wearer's head and in a further embodiment the display
may be provided rearwards of the back of the wearer's head. In this way the focal
distance is further increased to a more comfortable and normal length.
[0016] The article may be arranged in that the display is all or nearly all that the wearer
can see, preferably though, the article does not obscure the majority of the normal
field of vision for the wearer.
[0017] The path means is preferably at least 90% continuous and may be entirely continuous.
The path means may comprise at least one transparent block, which may be made from
polycarbonate. The inner surface of the path means may be sloped to follow the approximate
contour of at least part of a wearer's head. The path means may be inside a protective
shell of the article.
[0018] Two embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a side elevation in cross section of a helmet in a first embodiment of the
invention; and,
Fig. 2 is a side elevation in cross section of a helmet in a second embodiment of
the invention.
[0019] Fig. 1 shows a helmet 10 for example, for a motor cyclist. The helmet 10 is of the
full face type including a visor 12. The helmet includes inner padding 14 around the
wearer's head and an outer hard protective shell 16. At the top of the helmet a continuous
solid block 18 of transparent optical material such as polycarbonate is provided between
the inner padding 14 and the outer shell 16. The outer shell 16 is stepped at the
top rear of the helmet 10 to leave a slot 20 at the near face of the block 18.
[0020] The block 18 has a smooth lower surface 22 which substantially follows the contour
of the top of the wearer's head H. The lower surface 22 of the block 18 extends downwardly
at the front into the upper field of view of the wearer. The upper surface 24 of the
block 18 consists of four planar surfaces 24a, b, c, d at shallow angles to one another.
The forwardmost surface 24d tapers the block 18 to meet the lower surface 22. The
rearmost surface 26 of the block 18 is convex.
[0021] In use the wearer's normal field of forward view is substantially unobscured. When
the wearer looks up, however, they will see an image of the view backwards through
the slot 20. The light passing through the slot 20 is internally reflected from one
or more of the upper surfaces 24a, b, c of the block 18 and is finally internally
reflected by the forward upper surface 24d through the forward lower surface 22 to
the eyes of the wearer.
[0022] The image received by the wearer is clear because the reflecting surfaces are fixed
in relation to the wearer's head/eyes. In the case of an impact, the helmet will act
in the usual way because there is still internal padding and an outer shell in direct
connection through the large area of the shallow block 18 which covers most of the
top of the wearer's head H and has a smooth contoured underside.
[0023] Fig. 2 shows a helmet which is similar to that of Fig. 1 and only the differences
will be described. The same reference numerals will be used for equivalent features.
[0024] The helmet 10 of Fig. 2 is a half-face helmet and includes the same block 18 as the
helmet of Fig. 1. However, the slot 20 is blocked by a display 28. The helmet may
be used by pilots for example where the display may give flight information. Because
the display is at a significant distance from the pilots eyes, eye strain is reduced.
The display may be, for example, an LCD display, back-lit, or any other suitable display.
[0025] The helmet 10 could be made without the shell 16 or substantial padding 14 as essentially
a mounting for the optical block 18 to keep it in place on the wearer's head.
1. An article of headwear, the article (10) not obscuring the majority of the normal
field of vision for the wearer, the article (10) including path means (18) through
the article, the path means defining a non-straight light path to the wearer's eyes,
characterised in that the path means (18) through the article is at least 75% continuous
and comprises at least one transparent block (18).
2. An article of headwear including a display (28) and path means through the article
(10) defining a non-straight path to the wearer's eye, characterised in that the path
means enables seeing the display (28) which is spaced from the wearer's eyes, the
path means being at least 75% continuous and comprising at least one transparent block
(18).
3. An article of headwear as claimed in claim 2, wherein the display (28) is provided
outside the normal field of view of the wearer.
4. An article of headwear as claimed in claim 3, wherein the display (28) is provided
towards the back of the wearer's head.
5. An article of headwear as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the article (10) does
not obscure the majority of the normal field of vision for the wearer.
6. An article of headwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each block
(18) is made from polycarbonate.
7. An article of headwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the inner surface
of the or each block (18) is shaped to follow the approximate contour of part of a
wearer's head.
8. An article of headwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the path means comprises
a body comprising a single transparent block (18).
9. An article of headwear as claimed in claim 8, wherein the body is the entire path
means.
10. An article of headwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the path means is
provided inside a protective shell of the article.
1. Eine Kopfbedeckung (10), welche den Hauptteil des normalen Gesichtsfeldes des Trägers
nicht verdeckt, und welche Mittel zur Bildung eines Pfades oder Leitweges (18) durch
die Kopfbedeckung aufweist, die einen nicht geraden Lichtstrahlenweg zum Auge des
Trägers definieren,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,dass die Pfadmittel (18) durch die Kopfbedeckung zu wengistens
75% kontinuierlich ist und wenigstens einen transparenten Block (18) aufweist.
2. Eine Kopfbedeckung mit einer Bildwiedergabe bzw. einem Display (28) und Pfadmitteln
(18) durch die Kopfbedeckung, die einen nicht geraden Strahlenweg zum Auge des Trägers
definieren,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Pfadmittel bzw. der Lichtstrahlenweg das Sehen bzw.
die Sicht auf die Bildwiedergabe/das Display (28) ermöglicht, welche in einem Abstand
von dem Auge des Trägers vorgesehen ist, wobei die Pfadmittel zu wengistens 75 % kontinuierlich
sind und wenigstens einen transparenten Block (18) aufweisen.
3. Eine Kopfbedeckung nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Bildwiedergabe (28) ausserhalb des normalen
Sichtfeldes des Trägers vorgesehen ist.
4. Eine Kopfbedeckung nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Bildwiedergabe (28) der Rückseite des
Kopfes des Trägers zugewandt bzw. an der Rückseite des Kopfes des Trägers vorgesehen
ist.
5. Eine Kopfbedeckung nach Ansprüchen 2, 3 oder 4, wobei die Kopfbedeckung (10) den Hauptteil
des normalen Gesichtsfeldes des Trägers nicht abdeckt.
6. Eine Kopfbedeckung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei jeder Block (18)
aus Polykarbonat hergestellt ist.
7. Eine Kopfbedeckung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die innere Oberfläche
dem Blockes oder der Blöcke (18) der angenäherten Kontur eines Teiles des Kopfes des
Trägers entsprechend geformt ist.
8. Eine Kopfbedeckung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Pfadmittel einen
Körper umfassen, der einen einzelnen transparenten Block (18) umfasst.
9. Eine Kopfbedeckung nach Anspruch 8, wobei dor Körper das gesamte Pfadmittel ist bzw.
wobei der Lichtstrahlenpfad (18) vollständig von dem Körper gebildet ist.
10. Eine Kopfbedeckung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Pfadmittel innerhalb
einer schützenden Hülle der Kopfbedeckung vorgesehen sind.
1. Protège-tête (10) ne cachant pas la majeure partie du champ normal de vision du porteur,
ce protège-tête (10) étant traversé par un dispositif de cheminement (18) déterminant
un trajet de lumière non rectiligne vers les yeux du porteur, caractérisé en ce que
le dispositif de cheminement (18) traversant le protège-tête est continu à au moins
75% et comprend au moins un bloc transparent (18).
2. Protège-tête comprenant un dispositif d'affichage (28) et un dispositif de cheminement
traversant le protège-tête (10) et définissant un trajet non rectiligne jusqu'à l'oeil
du porteur, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de cheminement permet de voir le dispositif
d'affichage (28) qui est écarté des yeux du porteur, le dispositif de cheminement
étant continu à au moins 75% et comprenant au moins un bloc transparent (18).
3. Protège-tête selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le dispositif d'affichage (28)
est prévu à l'extérieur du champ normal de vision du porteur.
4. Protège-tête selon la revendication 3, dans lequel le dispositif d'affichage (28)
est prévu vers l'arrière de la tête du porteur.
5. Protège tête selon la revendication 2,3 ou 4, dans lequel le protège-tête (10) ne
cache pas la majorité du champ normal de vision du porteur.
6. Protège-tête selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le
ou chaque bloc (18) est en polycarbonate.
7. Protège-tête selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la
surface intérieure du ou de chaque bloc (18) est conformée pour suivre le contour
approximatif d'une partie de la tête du porteur.
8. Protège-tête selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le
dispositif de cheminement comprend un corps qui comporte un seul bloc transparent
(18).
9. Protège-tête selon la revendication 8, dans lequel le corps constitue le dispositif
de cheminement entier.
10. Protège-tête selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le
dispositif de cheminement est ménagé à l'intérieur d'une coquille protectrice du protège-tête.