U.S. patent application number 10/243941 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-20 for extraction and rotation device for the visor of a crash helmet for motorcycles.
Invention is credited to Gafforio, Luca, Salvetti, Alberto, Tomasoni, Gabriele.
Application Number | 20030051289 10/243941 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8184690 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030051289 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gafforio, Luca ; et
al. |
March 20, 2003 |
Extraction and rotation device for the visor of a crash helmet for
motorcycles
Abstract
A device for extraction and rotation of a visor for helmets
comprising a cap, a recess or hole made in the cap, in which there
may be positioned, so that it is perfectly set in, a visor, and
means for expelling of the visor. The means for expelling the visor
comprise an extractor ensemble designed to enable the application
of a force of thrust on the visor directed towards the outside of
the helmet, and two inclined guiding elements, which are set at the
side ends of the hole and are designed to engage slidably two slide
means connected to the visor for enabling translation of the slide
means from a first position, in which the visor is set in inside
the recess or hole, to a second position, in which the visor is
extracted from the hole provided in the cap and is ready to be
rotated, and vice versa (FIG. 2)
Inventors: |
Gafforio, Luca; (Comun
Nuovo, IT) ; Salvetti, Alberto; (Bergamo, IT)
; Tomasoni, Gabriele; (Bariano, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON & VANDERHYE P.C.
1100 North Glebe Road, 8th Floor
Arlington
VA
22201
US
|
Family ID: |
8184690 |
Appl. No.: |
10/243941 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/222 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/424 |
International
Class: |
A42B 001/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 14, 2001 |
EP |
01830587.0 |
Claims
1. A device for extraction and rotation of a visor for helmets
comprising a cap, a hole made in the cap, in which there may be
positioned, so that it is perfectly set in, a visor, and means for
expelling the visor, said device being characterized in that said
expulsion means comprise an extractor ensemble designed to enable
application of a force of thrust on the visor directed towards the
outside of the helmet, and at least two inclined guiding elements,
set at the side ends of the hole, and designed to engage slidably
at least two slide means connected to the visor for enabling
translation of said slide means from a first position, in which the
visor is set in inside the hole, to a second position, in which the
visor is extracted from the hole and is ready to be rotated, and
vice versa.
2. The device for extraction and rotation of a visor according to
claim 1, characterized in that said inclined guiding elements form
a tapering converging towards the rear part of the helmet.
3. The device for extraction and rotation of a visor according to
any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said two
slide means are each connected to one side end of the visor by
means of rotating blocks housed in such a way that they can turn on
said slide means.
4. The device for extraction and rotation of a visor according to
any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said two
guiding elements comprise elastic means, which are set between said
guiding elements and said slide means and are designed to withhold
the slide means in said first position, in which the visor is
perfectly set in inside the hole, and to favour the thrust of said
slide means in the transition towards said second position, in
which the visor is extracted from the hole and ready to be
rotated.
5. The device for extraction and rotation of a visor according to
claim 4, characterized in that said elastic means comprise at least
one flat spring provided with an end having an undulated profile
designed to co-operate with a follower element, said flat spring
being constrained on the guiding element and said follower element
being constrained on the slide means, or vice versa.
6. The device for extraction and rotation of a visor according to
any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said
extractor ensemble comprises a cavity which is made on the
chin-piece of the helmet or in a support anchored to the chin-piece
of the helmet and is designed to enable insertion inside it and
underneath the visor of at least one finger designed to exert a
force of extraction on the visor.
7. The device for extraction and rotation of a visor according to
any one of the preceding claims from claim 1 to claim 5,
characterized in that said extractor ensemble comprises a lever
which is hinged to an internal portion of the chin-piece of the
helmet and/or of a support anchored to the chin-piece of the helmet
and is designed to rotate about the point of hinging in order to
exert a pressure against at least one internal portion of the visor
that is sufficient for the latter's extraction.
8. The device for extraction and rotation of a visor according to
claim 7, characterized in that the lever is connected to elastic
means set between said lever and at least one internal portion of
the chin-piece and/or of the support anchored to the
chin-piece.
9. The device for extraction and rotation of a visor according to
claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that said extractor ensemble
comprises a release device designed to enable said elastic means to
exert a thrust on said lever.
10. The device for extraction and rotation of a visor according to
claim 9, characterized in that said release device comprises a
slider which is able to translate vertically between a first
position, in which it withholds at least one element projecting
from said lever to prevent the operation of said elastic means, to
a second position in which, leaving free said projecting element,
it enables the operation of said elastic means.
11. The device for extraction and rotation of a visor according to
claim 10, characterized in that said slider comprises second
elastic means designed to maintain said slide in the position for
retaining said projecting element.
12. The device for extraction and rotation of a visor for helmets
according to claim 10 or claim 11, characterized in that said
slider further comprises a safety catch for the visor.
13. The device for extraction and rotation of a visor according to
any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that it further
comprises a lever-type button designed to operate the release
device.
14. The device for extraction and rotation of a visor according to
claim 13, characterized in that said lever-type button is hinged
coaxially to said lever and has inclined lateral guides designed to
engage slidably sliding pins present on said slider.
Description
[0001] The subject of the present invention is a device for
extraction and rotation of a visor for crash-helmets, and in
particular, an extraction device designed to enable extraction of
the visor from a first closed position, where it is perfectly set
in and flush with the outer surface of the cap, to a second
position where the visor is in a forward position outside the
recess provided in the cap and ready to be rotated upwards, and
vice versa.
[0002] A solution forming part of the prior art is that of
anchoring the transparent visor for motor-cycle helmets at the two
sides of the cap of the helmet by means of pins integral with the
cap and projecting from the latter. The visor, in its closed
position, fits into a hole made on the front of the helmet.
[0003] With this hooking system, the visor is mounted in cantilever
fashion on the cap both when it is in the closed position on the
hole provided in the helmet and when it is raised, namely, in the
open position. This causes a discontinuity in the outer surface of
the helmet, which results in a decrease in the aerodynamic
performance of the helmet and in an appearance that is somewhat
unattractive.
[0004] There are moreover known devices for moving the visor which
enable the visor, when it is in the closed position, to be
perfectly set in and flush with the outer surface of the cap. Such
devices solve the aerodynamic and aesthetic problems of helmets
with visors mounted in cantilever fashion, but are frequently very
complex and involve a high number of articulated joints. The high
number of articulated joints normally leads to an increase in the
difficulty of assembly of the device and a reduction in the
reliability of the device itself.
[0005] A purpose of the present invention is to provide a helmet
with a visor which appears, when it is in the closed position,
perfectly set in and flush with the outer surface of the cap of the
helmet and which is provided with a device for extraction and
rotation of the visor that is constitutively simple and easy to
assemble.
[0006] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a
device for extraction and rotation of the visor which is highly
reliable and at the same time easy and inexpensive to produce.
[0007] These and still other purposes are achieved by the present
invention, which relates to a device for extraction and rotation of
a visor for helmets comprising a cap, a hole made in the cap, in
which a visor may be positioned perfectly set in, and means for
expelling the visor, characterized in that said expulsion means
comprise an extractor ensemble designed to enable the application
of a force of thrust on the visor directed towards the outside of
the helmet, as well as at least two inclined guiding elements, set
at the side ends of the hole and designed to engage slidably at
least two slide means connected to the visor for enabling
translation of said slide means from a first position, in which the
visor is set in inside the hole, to a second position, in which the
visor is extracted from the hole and is ready to be rotated, and
vice versa. In this way, it is possible to provide a helmet that
has a visor perfectly set in and flush with the outer surface of
the cap of the helmet and that is able to solve the aesthetic and
aerodynamic problems presented by helmets of the prior art.
[0008] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention,
the inclined guides form a tapering which converges towards the
rear part of the helmet.
[0009] According to an advantageous feature of the present
invention, the two slide means are connected each to one side end
of the visor by means of rotating blocks designed to enable
rotation of the visor. According to another feature of the present
invention, the two guiding elements comprise elastic means which
are set between the guiding elements and the slide means and are
designed to withhold the slide means in the first position, in
which the visor is perfectly set in inside the hole, and to favour
the thrust of the slide means in the transition towards the second
position, in which the visor is extracted from the hole and ready
to be rotated.
[0010] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
extractor ensemble comprises a lever which is hinged to an internal
portion of the chin-piece of the helmet, and/or of a support
anchored to the chin-piece, and is designed to rotate about the
hinging point in order to exert a pressure against at least one
internal portion of the visor sufficient for extraction of said
visor.
[0011] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
lever is connected to elastic means set between the lever and at
least one internal portion of the chin-piece and/or of the support
anchored to the chin-piece of the helmet.
[0012] According to another advantageous feature of the present
invention, the extractor ensemble comprises a release device
designed to enable the elastic means to exert its force on the
lever. The considerable constitutive simplicity and the limited
number of components of the extractor device make it particularly
simple to produce and assemble, as well as highly reliable.
[0013] Further characteristics and advantages of the present
invention will emerge more clearly from the ensuing description,
provided purely by way of illustrative and non-limiting example,
with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
[0014] FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c illustrate a helmet equipped with the
device for extraction and rotation of the visor according to the
present invention, with the visor perfectly set in (FIG. 1a), with
the visor extracted from the recess (FIG. 1b), and with the visor
rotated upwards (FIG. 1c);
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective schematic view of some
guiding elements according to the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective schematic view of the
extractor ensemble according to the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 presents detailed cross-sectional views of the
elements making up the extractor ensemble of FIG. 3; and
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates the internal portion of the support
anchored to the chin-piece of the helmet according to the
invention.
[0019] FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c illustrate a helmet 1 for motor-cyclists of
the type with visor 2 that can be perfectly set into a hole 3 made
in the cap 4 of the helmet, the said helmet being equipped with the
device for extraction and rotation of the visor according to the
present invention.
[0020] In particular, FIG. 1a illustrates the helmet 1 with the
visor 2 perfectly set in and flush with the outer surface of the
cap 4; FIG. 1b illustrates the helmet 1 with the visor 2 completely
extracted from the recess provided and ready to be rotated upwards;
and finally FIG. 1c illustrates the helmet 1 with the visor 2
rotated upwards.
[0021] The movement of extraction and rotation of the visor 2 is
rendered possible by special means for its expulsion which comprise
an extractor ensemble designed to enable the application of a force
of thrust (indicated in FIG. 1b by the arrow F) on the visor 2
directed towards the outside of the helmet 1, and at least two
inclined guiding elements which are set at the side ends of the
hole 3 and are designed to engage at least two slide means 6
connected to the visor 2.
[0022] The inclined guiding elements engage the slide means 6 to
translate them from a first position, in which the visor 2 is set
in inside the hole 3 (FIG. 1a), and hence perfectly flush with the
outer surface of the cap 4, to a second position (FIG. 1b), in
which the visor is extracted from the hole 3 provided in the cap
and is ready to be rotated, and vice versa. Advantageously for the
above purpose, the guiding elements are inclined so as to form a
tapering converging towards the rear part of the helmet 1. In other
words, whilst the distal portion, with respect to the surface of
the cap, of the inclination of the guiding element faces the front
part of the helmet, the proximal portion of the inclination faces
the rear part of the helmet. The orientation of the inclination of
the guiding elements enables the ends of the visor, usually
U-shaped in plan view, to be deformed towards the outside of the
helmet, under the action of the force of expulsion F, in order to
prevent, during rotation of the visor, any interference with the
outer surface of the cap.
[0023] In detail, the guiding elements, as may be seen in FIG. 2,
are represented by two pairs of inclined guides 5 made in two bases
7 positioned on the cap 4 at the side ends of the hole 3 for
accommodating the visor 2. Advantageously, the two guides 5,
forming a single pair, present the same inclination and are
therefore set parallel inside a base 7.
[0024] The slide means 6, which are able to slide with respect to
the guiding elements, each have a plane body 8 that is
substantially rectangular, at the ends of which are provided two
inclined and parallel connecting surfaces 9, 10 which engage in the
guides 5 to enable sliding of the slide means 6.
[0025] In a central position, inside each plane body 8, there is
provided a circular seat 11 for a rotating block (not illustrated)
which is pivoted in an aperture 12 and to which one end of the
visor 2 is connected. Once the visor 2 is extracted from the recess
provided in the cap (FIG. 1b), the angular sliding of the block in
the circular seat 11 is responsible for the rotation of the visor 2
(FIG. 1c) integral thereto. The two guiding elements further
comprise elastic means, which are set between the bases 7 and the
slide means 6 and are designed to withhold the slide means 6 in the
first position, i.e., in the position in which the visor 2 is
perfectly set in inside the hole 3, and to favour the thrust of the
slide means in the transition towards the second position, i.e.,
the position in which the visor 2 is extracted from the hole 3 and
is ready to be rotated.
[0026] The elastic means are represented, again as may be seen in
FIG. 2, by a flat spring 13 provided with a plane end 14
constrained in 15 to the slide means 6 and with an end having an
undulated profile 16 designed to co-operate with a roller element
17. The undulated profile 16 of the end of the flat spring 13
advantageously has a concave portion 18 and a subsequent convex end
portion 19 set towards the inside of the helmet. The concave
portion 18 has a curved profile of dimensions such as to enable
perfect insertion of the roller element 17. The roller element 17
is constrained, in such a way that it can turn, to the base 7 of
the cap 4, in which there are provided the guides 5, and in
particular it is positioned in appropriate seats made in a position
corresponding to the inclined guide 5 facing the rear part of the
helmet 1.
[0027] When the visor 2 is set in, the roller element 17 is housed
in the concave portion 18 and acts as a retaining element between
the slide means 6 and the guiding element; next, under the action
of the force of extraction F applied to the visor 2, the slide
means 6 starts to slide on the guiding element, and the end of the
flat spring 13 slides on the roller 17, which rotates on itself and
acts as a retaining element until the roller 17 passes the centre
of the convex portion 19. In this condition, the undulated profile
is compressed and pushes against the roller element 17,
facilitating sliding of the slide means 6 on the guiding element,
and consequently expulsion of the visor 2.
[0028] In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the elastic
means are still constituted by a flat spring 13, which is set
between the base 7 and the slide 6 and has the same purposes as in
the embodiment already described. The flat spring 13 is again
provided with a plane end and an end with undulated profile, but in
this embodiment the plane end is constrained to the base 7, and the
end with undulated profile co-operates with a special follower
element or projection having a cam profile, which replaces the
roller element 17 and is made on the bottom surface of the slide
element 6. The spring again works in bending and performs the same
functions. Advantageously, in this version the encumbrance is
minimal on account of the absence of the roller 17 and of the fact
that the lateral undercuts or areas of removed material, which
hitherto were present on the outer surface of the cap 4 for
accommodating, in the visor-closed position, the free end 16 of the
spring 13, are no longer required.
[0029] As has already been said, the expulsion of the visor 2 from
the special recess or hole 3 made in the cap 4 requires the
inclined guiding elements to be set and constrained in a position
corresponding to the side ends of the visor 2 and requires a force
of expulsion F applied to the visor 2. In the preferential
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, this force is generated by an
extractor ensemble.
[0030] The extractor ensemble, as may be seen more clearly in FIGS.
3 and 4, comprises a bridge-type lever 20 provided with an L-shaped
profile, which has at its bottom ends 21 hinges 22 designed to
constrain, in such a way that it can turn, the lever 20 to a
support, hereinafter referred to as muzzle 37, of the helmet 1. The
muzzle 37 is anchored to the chin-piece of the helmet at its front
end. The rotation of the lever 20 about the hinges 22 brings the
projecting top end 23 to come into contact with an internal portion
of the visor so as to exert on the latter a pressure sufficient for
its extraction.
[0031] In order to compress the end 23 of the lever 20 against the
internal portion of the visor 2, so as to generate a force
sufficient for extraction thereof, the extractor ensemble is
further provided with elastic means, and in particular with a
pre-compressed helical spring (not visible in the figure) set
between the lever 20 and a portion of the chin-piece of the
helmet.
[0032] In particular, provided for the helical spring, on the rear
portion of the top end 23 of the lever 20, i.e., on the portion
facing the inside of the helmet 1, is a special housing 24, and an
opposed housing (not illustrated) is made on the outer surface of
the chin-piece, namely on the surface of the chin-piece which is
turned towards the outside of the helmet 1 and faces the muzzle
37.
[0033] The lever 20 is then completed by two contrast elements 25,
projecting from the lever 20, for a release device of the helical
spring. The pre-loaded helical spring, if left free to act, would
bring the top end 23 of the lever 20 into contact with the visor 2,
and in particular with one of its internal portions for exerting
the force sufficient for generating extraction of the visor 2 from
the recess provided; for this reason, the helical spring is forced
in a loaded condition by a release device, and consequently the top
end 23 of the lever 20 is away from the visor and is inclined
towards the inside of the helmet.
[0034] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the
release device is nothing but a slider 26 able to translate
vertically between a first position, in which it withholds the
contrast elements 25 projecting from the lever 20 to prevent
expansion of the helical spring, and a second position, in which,
leaving free the contrast elements 25, it enables expansion of the
helical spring, and consequently rotation of the lever 20. The
expansion of the helical spring and the consequent rotation of the
lever 20 enable the top end 23 of the lever 20 to enter into
contact with the visor 2 and to exert on the latter the force
necessary for its extraction.
[0035] The slider 26 is provided with two sliding pins 27 which
project internally from a window 28 made on the slider 26. The pins
27, which engage guides 29 made on a lever-type button 30, are
responsible for the vertical translation of the slider 26 with
respect to the contrast elements 25.
[0036] The slider 26 is further engaged underneath by a further pin
31, with an elastic means, such as a second helical spring (not
illustrated), which works by expanding to keep the slider 26
translated upwards and engaged with the projecting contrast
elements 25 of the lever 20.
[0037] The slider 26 is also provided with a safety catch 32
projecting from its top end and designed to withhold the visor 2,
up to the moment in which the pins 27 have completed their travel
inside the guides 29, in order to prevent premature and/or
undesired expulsion of the visor 2 from the special recess provided
in the cap 4.
[0038] The release device is operated by a lever-type button 30:
the pressure exerted on the portion 33 of the button 30 enables
sliding of the pins 27 inside the guides 29 made on the sides of
the lever-type button 30, and consequently translation downwards of
the slider 26 so as to free the contrast elements 25 that withhold
the helical spring in a condition of loading. The helical spring,
which is now free to expand, causes the top end 23 of the lever 20
to rotate and brings it into contact with an internal portion of
the visor 2 so that the said end 23 can exert the force of
extraction necessary for extracting the visor 2 from the recess
provided in the cap 4.
[0039] In detail, the lever-type button 30 is provided with a
substantially wedge-shaped head 34, as may be seen in FIG. 4,
designed to be inserted into the window or slot 28 made on the
slider 26, and an elongated body 35, which is provided at its
bottom end with a hinge 36, the axis of rotation of which, once the
device is mounted, is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the
hinges 22.
[0040] The slide guides 29 made on the outer sides of the
wedge-shaped head 34 are inclined and define a reversible travel
for the pins 27. The position of start of travel, located towards
the top part of the wedge-shaped head, corresponds to the position
of the slider 26 that withholds the contrast elements 25 projecting
from the lever 20, and the position of end of travel, located in
the bottom part of the wedge-shaped head 30, corresponds to the
position of the slider 26 that leaves the contrast elements 25
free.
[0041] Advantageously, the inclination and length of the travel of
the guides 29 are such as to enable a delay in the expulsion of the
visor, the said delay resulting in the engagement of the catch 32
with the visor 2.
[0042] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the
extractor device is mounted on the muzzle 37 anchored to the
chin-piece of the helmet; however, it would in any case be possible
to install it directly on the chin-piece of the helmet 1 without
departing from the scope of protection of the present
invention.
[0043] In detail, the extractor device is mounted on the internal
portion of the muzzle 37 (illustrated in FIG. 5), which for this
purpose is provided with hinging seats 38, which are designed to
enable coaxial rotation of the lever 20 and of the lever-type
button 30 about the hinges 22 and 36, as well as with guides 39 for
vertical translation of the slider 26, and with a central cross
member 40, which determines the end of travel of the lever 20
during its rotary movement towards the visor 2. On the internal
portion of the muzzle 37 there is further present a seat 41, set
opposite to the pin 31, for the spring provided for vertical
translation of the slider 26.
[0044] As an alternative to the extractor ensemble just described,
it would be possible to provide the helmet 1 with any device able
to exert a force of thrust on the visor 2 directed towards the
outside of the helmet, designed to extract the visor from the
recess provided in the cap. In an essential embodiment, without
departing from the scope of the present patent, the extractor
ensemble could be represented by a cavity made in the muzzle of the
helmet, designed to enable insertion inside it and underneath the
visor of at least one finger so that the motorcyclist can exert on
the visor the necessary force of extraction manually.
[0045] Once the visor 2 has been extracted and rotated upwards
(FIG. 1c), to bring it back into the closed condition it will be
sufficient to rotate it and bring it back to the hole 3 (FIG. 1b).
In this situation, by exerting manually a force on the visor
directed towards the inside of the helmet, it will immediately be
possible to overcome the resistance of the lever 20 and of the
corresponding helical spring provided on it and bring back the
visor 2 into the closed position on the hole 3 (FIG. 1a). This
action will be further facilitated by the action of the second
helical spring engaged in the pin 31 which tends to translate the
slider 26 upwards in engagement with the projecting contrast
elements 25 of the lever 20.
* * * * *