U.S. patent application number 09/825170 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-25 for helmet.
Invention is credited to Itou, Tetsuya, Nakayama, Kengo, Ono, Naoto, Oshigamo, Hiroaki.
Application Number | 20010032351 09/825170 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18616577 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010032351 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakayama, Kengo ; et
al. |
October 25, 2001 |
Helmet
Abstract
A helmet includes a shock absorbing liner fitted on an inner
side of a shell, and a layer of an elastic body for absorbing shock
having a component directed along an outer surface of the shell
provided between the shell and the shock absorbing liner or between
an outer layer of the shock absorbing liner and an inner layer of
the shock absorbing liner.
Inventors: |
Nakayama, Kengo; (Wako-shi,
JP) ; Ono, Naoto; (Asaka-shi, JP) ; Itou,
Tetsuya; (Asaka-shi, JP) ; Oshigamo, Hiroaki;
(Asaka-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARRIER BLACKMAN AND ASSOCIATES
24101 NOVI ROAD
SUITE 100
NOVI
MI
48375
|
Family ID: |
18616577 |
Appl. No.: |
09/825170 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/412 ;
2/411 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/12 20130101; A42B
3/064 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/412 ;
2/411 |
International
Class: |
A42B 003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 4, 2000 |
JP |
2000-102755 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A helmet having a shock absorbing liner fitted on an inner side
of a shell, wherein an elastic body is provided between said shell
and said shock absorbing liner for absorbing shock having a
component directed along an outer surface of said shell.
2. A helmet having a shock absorbing liner fitted on an inner side
of a shell, wherein said shock absorbing liner is split into an
outer liner and an inner liner, and a layer of elastic body is
provided between said outer liner and said inner liner for
absorbing shock having a component directed along an outer surface
of said shell.
3. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elastic body is a
gel.
4. A helmet as claimed in claim 2, wherein split surfaces of said
outer liner and said inner liner are formed in spherical
surfaces.
5. A helmet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said elastic body is a
gel.
6. A helmet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said inner and outer
liners are movable relative to each other, and the helmet further
includes a stopper which limits movement of the inner and outer
liners relative to each other.
7. A helmet as claimed in claim 2, wherein one of said inner and
outer liners includes a severable projection, and the other of said
inner and outer liners includes a recess mating with said
projection to initially prevent movement of said inner and outer
liners prior to a shock being applied to the helmet, said inner and
outer liners being movable relative to each other after said
projection is severed.
8. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elastic body is
provided as a layer separating said shell and said shock absorbing
liner.
9. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elastic body
comprises a gel having air pockets disposed therewith.
10. A helmet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said helmet includes a
plurality of elastic bodies disposed in spaced relation to each
other.
11. A helmet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said elastic body
comprises a gel having air pockets disposed therewith
12. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elastic body
permits said shell to move relative to a head of a person wearing
the helmet when the shock is applied to said helmet.
13. A helmet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said elastic body
permits said shell to move relative to a head of a person wearing
the helmet when the shock is applied to said helmet.
14. A helmet comprising a shell, shock absorbing liner fitted
within said shell, and an elastic body provided in engagement with
said shock absorbing liner for absorbing shock having a component
directed along an outer surface of said shell.
15. A helmet as claimed in claim 14, wherein said elastic body
permits said shell to move relative to a head of a person wearing
the helmet when the shock is applied to said helmet.
16. A helmet as claimed in claim 14, wherein said elastic body is
provided between said shell and said shock absorbing liner.
17. A helmet as claimed in claim 14, wherein said shock absorbing
liner is split into an outer liner and an inner liner, and said
elastic body is provided between said outer liner and said inner
liner such that said outer and inner liners are movable relative to
each other.
18. A helmet as claimed in claim 14, wherein said elastic body is a
gel.
19. A helmet as claimed in claim 17, wherein split surfaces of said
outer liner and said inner liner are formed in spherical
surfaces.
20. A helmet as claimed in claim 17, wherein the helmet further
includes a stopper which limits movement of the inner and outer
liners relative to each other.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention.
[0002] The present invention relates to a helmet which a driver of
a vehicle such as a motorcycle or a racing car wears.
[0003] 2. Discussion of Relevant Art.
[0004] Hitherto, a helmet as shown in Japanese Laid-Open Patent
Publication Hei 6-240508 has been known. In this helmet, a
reinforcement cloth made of a strengthening fiber is interposed
between a shell and a shock absorbing liner fitted within the shell
or between two layers of the shock absorbing liner and fixed
thereto, in order to obtain improved shock absorbing performance
without increasing thickness of the shell.
[0005] Shock load acting on the helmet is classified roughly into a
load in a direction toward a center of the helmet and a load in a
tangential direction (rotational component) deviating from the
center. In the customary helmet, both of these loads are absorbed
by deformation of the liner or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention proposes a helmet capable of absorbing
the rotational component of shock effectively.
[0007] For this purpose, the present invention provides a helmet
having a shock absorbing liner fitted on an inner side of a shell,
wherein an elastic body is provided between the shell and the shock
absorbing liner for absorbing shock having a component directed
along an outer surface of the shell.
[0008] According to the invention, since the head of the wearer and
the shell are not fixed to each other, when shock force acts on the
helmet from the outside, rotational acceleration, that is,
acceleration component directed along an outer surf ace of the
shell is absorbed by the helmet, as is advancing acceleration, that
is, acceleration component directed perpendicularly to the outer
surface of the shell.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a helmet having a shock absorbing liner fitted on an
inner side of a shell, wherein the shock absorbing liner is slit
into an outer liner and an inner liner, and a layer of an elastic
body is provided between the outer liner and the inner liner for
absorbing shock having a component directed along an outer surface
of the shell.
[0010] Also in this helmet, when shock force acts on the helmet
from the outside, rotational acceleration, that is, the
acceleration component directed along an outer surface of the shell
is absorbed by the helmet, as is advancing acceleration, that is,
the acceleration component directed perpendicularly to the outer
surface of the shell.
[0011] The elastic body may be a gel. When shock force acts on the
helmet, rotational acceleration, that is, the acceleration
component directed along an outer surface of the shell is absorbed
effectively.
[0012] Split surfaces of the outer liner and the inner liner may be
formed in spherical surfaces. Since the layer of the absorbent
elastic body is provided along the spherical surface, the outer
liner and the inner liner can slip relatively easily, so that a
degree of freedom in rotational direction becomes large and the
rotational component of the shock force can be absorbed more
effectively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a helmet according to
a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a helmet according to
a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a helmet according to
a third embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a helmet according to
a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a helmet according to
a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of a helmet according to
a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a helmet according to
a seventh embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view showing a broken helmet
according to the seventh embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a eighth embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a ninth embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view showing an
embodiment of the present invention. A helmet 10 has a shell 11
made of FRP and a shock absorbing liner 12 of styrene form fitted
on an inner side of the shell 11. The shock absorbing liner 12 is
divided into an outer liner 13 and an inner liner 14 which have
respective different foaming multiples and adhere to each other. In
this embodiment, an absorbent elastic body 15 is provided between
the shell 11 and the outer liner 13 and stuck to the shell 11 and
the outer liner 13.
[0024] The helmet of the present embodiment is so constructed that
a head of a wearer and the shell 11 are not fixed to each other.
Therefore, when shock force acts on the helmet from the outside,
rotational acceleration, that is, the acceleration component
directed along the outer surface of the shell 11 is absorbed, as is
the advancing acceleration, that is, acceleration component
directed perpendicularly to the outer surface of the shell 11.
[0025] As for the absorbent elastic body 15, grease-like material
or gel-like material, particularly a gel, NP gel (registered trade
marks) and foam gel can be used. This is the same with respect to
other embodiments to be described bellow.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view showing a second
embodiment of the present invention. The helmet 20 has a shell 21
manufactured by injection molding of nylon and a shock absorbing
liner 22 of styrene foam fitted and stuck on an inner side of the
shell 21. The shock absorbing liner 22 is divided into an outer
liner 23 and an inner liner 24 with a split surface extending along
a spherical surface 26. In this embodiment, a layer of absorbent
elastic body 25 is provided between the outer liner 23 and the
inner liner 24 and stuck to both the shock absorbing liners 23,
24.
[0027] Also in this embodiment, like the first embodiment, since a
head of a wearer of the helmet is not fixed to the shell 21, when
shock force acts on the helmet from the outside, its rotational
component, that is, the component directed along the outer surface
of the helmet is effectively absorbed, as is the advancing
component, that is, the component directed perpendicularly to the
outer surface of the shell 21. In this embodiment, since the split
surface between the outer liner 23 and the inner liner 24 is along
the spherical surface 26 and the layer of absorbent elastic body 25
is provided along the spherical surface, the outer liner 23 and the
inner liner 24 can easily slip relatively to each other and a
degree of freedom in the rotational direction becomes large so that
the rotational component of the shock force can be absorbed
easily.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional side view showing a third
embodiment of the present invention. The helmet 30 has a shell 31
manufactured by injection molding of polypropylene and a shock
absorbing liner 32 of styrene foam fitted and stuck on an inner
side of the shell 31. The shock absorbing liner 32 is split into
two layers through a split surface extending along a spherical
surface 36, and a layer of an absorbent elastic body 35 is disposed
between an outer liner 33 and an inner line 34 and stuck thereto.
In this embodiment, at the edge of the inner liner 34 is provided a
flange 34c directing outward.
[0029] The present embodiment has the same effect as the
above-mentioned second embodiment. Moreover, when the outer liner
33 and the inner liner 34 rotate relatively to a limit, the flange
34c collides with an edge of the outer liner 33 to restrain an
excessive rotation.
[0030] Though the flange 34c is provided at the edge of the inner
liner 34 directing outward, the flange may be provided at the edge
of the outer liner 33 directing inward so as to collide with the
edge of the inner liner 34.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional side view showing a fourth
embodiment of the present invention. The helmet 40 has a shell 41
and a shock absorbing liner 42 fitted and stuck on an inner side of
the shell 41. The shock absorbing liner 42 is split into an outer
liner 43 and an inner liner 44 through a split surface extending
along a spherical surface 46. A layer of an absorbent elastic body
45 is disposed between the outer liner 43 and the inner liner 44
and stuck thereto. In this embodiment, a dent or recess 43a is
provided at a portion of the outer liner 43 and a projection 44b is
provided at a portion of the inner liner 44 opposite to the dent
43a so that the projection 44b is fitted into the dent 43a.
[0032] According to this embodiment, the inner liner 44 is normally
fixed to the outer liner 43 to restrain unnecessary movement caused
by the absorbent elastic body, but when shock force having a
component directed along the outer surface of the shell 41 acts on
the helmet, the projection 44b is broken to allow movement so that
the component of the shock force can be absorbed. Of course, the
present embodiment can achieve all of the desirable effects of the
above-mentioned second embodiment.
[0033] Contrary to the above, the inner liner 44 may be provided
with the dent and the outer liner 43 may be provided with the
projection. Also, a plurality of pairs of the projections and the
dents may be provided.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing a fifth
embodiment of the present invention. The helmet 50 has a shell 51
and a shock absorbing liner 52 fitted and stuck on an inner side of
the helmet 51. The shock absorbing liner 52 is split into an outer
liner 53 and an inner liner 54 through a split surface extending
along a spherical surface 56. The outer liner 53 and the inner
liner 54 have respective dents or recesses 53a, 54a opposite to
each other. In each space formed by the corresponding dents 53a,
54a is disposed a layer of an absorbent elastic body 55 stuck to
the outer liner 53 and the inner liner 54. Also the outer liner 53
and the inner liner 54 are stuck to each other.
[0035] This embodiment exhibits the same desirable effects as those
of the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the layer of the
absorbent elastic body 55 is used in a direction of shear.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing a sixth
embodiment of the present invention. The helmet 60 comprises a
shell 61 and a shock absorbing liner 62 fitted and stuck on an
inner side of the shell 61. The shock absorbing liner 62 is split
into an outer liner 63 and an inner liner 64 through a split
surface extending along a spherical surface 66. The outer liner 63
has wide hollows 63a and narrow projections 63b, and the inner
liner 64 has wide hollows 64a and narrow projections 64b. In each
space formed between the outer liner 53 and the inner liner 64 is
disposed a layer of an absorbent elastic body 65 which is stuck to
the outer liner 63 and the inner liner 64.
[0037] The present embodiment exhibits the same effects as those of
the fifth embodiment, but the layer of the absorbent elastic body
65 is used in a direction of compression.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional side view showing a seventh
embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 8 is a vertical
sectional view showing a state of the helmet after a shock is
absorbed.
[0039] In FIG. 7, the helmet 70 comprises a shell 71 and a shock
absorbing liner 72 fitted and stuck on an inner side of the shell
71. The shock absorbing liner 72 is split into an outer liner 73
and an inner liner 74, and a layer of an absorbent elastic body 75
is disposed between the outer liner 73 and the inner liner 74 and
stuck to the outer liner 73 and the inner liner 74. In this
embodiment, the split surfaces of the outer liner 73 and the inner
liner 74 are not spherical surfaces.
[0040] When shock force having rotational component acts on the
helmet 70 from the outside to rotate the outer liner 73 and the
inner liner 74 relatively, the layer of the absorbent elastic body
75 is deformed so that a part thereof is compressed to collapse and
another part is expanded to produce a cavity. Thus an excessive
rotation is restrained.
[0041] FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an eighth embodiment of
the present invention. Similarly to the second through seventh
embodiments, a layer of absorbent elastic body 85 is disposed
between an outer liner 83 and an inner liner 84 and stuck to both
the liners 83, 84. However, in this embodiment, a gel having air
rooms or pockets 85d therein is used as the layer of the absorbent
elastic body 85. The air rooms 85d may be bubbles.
[0042] According to this embodiment, air in the air room 85d
improves cushion effect and contributes to reduce weight of the
helmet.
[0043] FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a ninth embodiment of
the present invention. According to this embodiment, between an
outer liner 93 and inner liner 94 are disposed some layers or
sections of an absorbent elastic body 95 so as to form a suitable
number of spaces as air rooms or pockets 97. The layers of the
absorbent elastic body 95 are stuck to the outer liner 93 and the
inner liner 94. This embodiment exhibits the same desirable effects
as those of the eighth embodiment.
[0044] In the above-mentioned embodiments, it is also possible to
partly connect or communicate a space inside of the liner with the
outside of the shell for ventilation, within a limit not departing
from the above-mentioned effects.
[0045] Although there have been described what are the present
embodiments of the invention, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made
thereto without departing from the gist, spirit or essence of the
invention. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended
claims.
* * * * *