U.S. patent application number 12/898785 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-14 for venting system for sports helmets.
This patent application is currently assigned to CASCO GROUP SOCIETATE IN COMANDITA SIMPLA (SCS). Invention is credited to Manfred Krauter.
Application Number | 20110083255 12/898785 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43067044 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110083255 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Krauter; Manfred |
April 14, 2011 |
Venting System for Sports Helmets
Abstract
A venting system for a sports helmet has venting openings
wherein at least some of the venting openings have covers that at
least partially cover the venting openings. By tilting about an
axis of rotation the covers partially or completely release the
venting openings. Upon actuation of the cover, one end of the cover
is lifted above the surrounding helmet surface while the other end
of the cover is lowered below the level of the surrounding helmet
surface.
Inventors: |
Krauter; Manfred; (Bretnig,
DE) |
Assignee: |
CASCO GROUP SOCIETATE IN COMANDITA
SIMPLA (SCS)
Satu Mare
RO
|
Family ID: |
43067044 |
Appl. No.: |
12/898785 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/410 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/283 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/410 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/28 20060101
A42B003/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 6, 2009 |
DE |
10 2009 045 383.0 |
Claims
1. Venting system for a sports helmet with venting openings,
wherein at least some of the venting openings have covers (1) that
at least partially cover the venting openings (8, 9) and by tilting
about an axis of rotation (2) partially or completely release the
venting openings (8, 9), wherein upon actuation of the cover (1)
one end of the cover (1) is lifted above the surrounding helmet
surface while the other end of the cover (1) is lowered below the
level of the surrounding helmet surface (10).
2. Venting system according to claim 1, wherein the cover (1) on
the end that is projecting past the helmet surface (10) and/or on
the end that is oriented into the interior of the helmet venting
passages and/or venting ribs (11) are provided.
3. Venting system according to claim 1, wherein the end of the
cover that is projecting past the helmet surface (10) is oriented
opposite to the flow direction of the air.
4. Venting system according to claim 1, wherein some of the covers
(1) have venting openings (8, 9).
5. Venting system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the
covers (1) is attached with a detachable connection on or in the
helmet.
6. Venting system according to claim 5, wherein the detachable
connection is an elastic snap-on system.
7. Venting system according to wherein at least one of the covers
(1) is lockable in at least one position.
8. Venting system according to wherein at least one cover (1) is
symmetrically designed and has oriented venting openings, wherein
the venting openings by appropriate insertion of the cover (1) into
the helmet can be oriented in the direction of air flow or opposite
thereto.
9. Venting system according to wherein at least one cover (1) is
arranged in a frame (3) that is integrated into the helmet or
detachably connected thereto and completely or partially surrounds
the cover (1).
10. Venting system according to claim 9, wherein at least one of
the covers (1) and/or the frame (3) is exchangeable for a
functional element.
11. Venting system according to claim 10, wherein the functional
element is a lighting means, a reflector, a forced venting means or
a receptacle for ear phones or head phones.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention concerns a venting system for a sports helmet,
in particular for skiers, that is characterized by a simple
inexpensive configuration, easy operability and the individual
adjustment of the air stream by the wearer.
[0002] In recent years, the awareness with respect to the danger
that an athlete exposes himself to when practicing his sports has
increased significantly. Especially those types of sports that have
a distinct high-speed component, for example, motor sports,
downhill skiing, bicycling, have an increased risk of injury. The
athletes attempt to meet these concerns by suitable safety
measures, in particular suitable sports clothing. An important
component of such clothing is a resistant head protection, for
example, in the form of a helmet. Since practicing sports causes
increased physical stress, increased perspiration and, caused
thereby, increased venting needs must be taken into consideration.
In particular in case of helmets the need for venting can be
combined only with difficulty with the safety requirements that
require an encapsulation of the head to be protected as complete as
possible.
[0003] DE 693 10 264 T2 proposes a helmet construction, preferably
for motorcyclists, where at the front side of the helmet air
venting openings are formed that extend through tubes in the
damping layer of the helmet to its rear where there are air exit
openings. In the interior of the helmet there are air passages that
extend through the damping material from the top of the head to the
tubes. Such a construction is however complex with respect to
manufacture and a control of the supplied air stream is hardly
possible.
[0004] DE 42 05 842 C1 discloses the construction of a sports
helmet in which the venting openings can be opened or closed by
sliding, as needed, an outer shell that is provided with
corresponding openings. The main disadvantage in this connection is
that the venting openings cannot be adjusted one by one and
individually because upon displacement of the outer shell
simultaneously all openings are opened or closed to the same
degree. Moreover, the openings are arranged perpendicularly to the
flow direction of the oncoming head wind which makes it difficult,
or prevents as a result of turbulence at higher speeds, that fresh
air can flow into the openings, at least at the sides as well as
the top side and rear side of a helmet.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,178 discloses a helmet for motorcyclists
that is provided at the topside with at least one venting opening
through which, by means of a movable cover elements, air can be
guided as needed into the interior of the helmet.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,317,891 B1 discloses the construction of a
helmet for motorcyclists with an internal ventilation system. The
ventilation system has a front plate and a rear plate that cover
corresponding openings. In addition, two further air inlet openings
are provided that are positioned laterally relative to the front
opening. These openings are closed by cover elements that move from
the interior of the helmet in front of the openings. The openings
have a complex mechanism in the helmet interior which enables to
control opening and closing.
[0007] Object of the present invention is to provide a reliable and
inexpensive venting system for a sports helmet, in particular for
skiers, that in addition to a simple operability also provides
adaptation to different needs with respect to adjustment and/or
exchange of helmet parts that determine the venting action.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to the invention, this object is solved by a
venting system with venting openings wherein at least some of the
venting openings have covers that cover the venting openings at
least partially and by tilting about an axis of rotation partially
or completely open the venting openings.
[0009] In this connection, venting openings with covers are
provided that are integrated positive-lockingly in such a way into
the top shell of the helmet that in the closed state they are
substantially flush with its surface. The covers can be embodied to
be tiltable or foldable or pivotable and can release by tilting the
venting openings partially or completely. The tilting, folding or
pivot movement of the covers is realized preferably about an axis
of rotation that is substantially parallel or tangential to the
surface of the helmet.
[0010] Upon actuation of the cover one end of the cover is lifted
above the surrounding helmet surface while the other end of the
cover remains below the level of the surrounding helmet surface.
The lifted end of the cover may have in this connection at its
bottom side venting passages or venting ribs. These ribs improve at
the same time the stability of the end of the cover. The helmet
part that is exposed upon tilting of the cover may also have
arranged thereat venting passages or venting ribs. The two venting
openings that are arranged on the helmet surface are thus
advantageously opened by only one actuation of the cover.
[0011] Advantageously, the cover is arranged such in the helmet
surface that, upon actuation, the front part, in the viewing
direction of the wearer, of the cover is lifted above the helmet
surface.
[0012] The venting openings can be formed at any location of the
helmet. An arrangement of the openings symmetrical to the
connecting line forehead area--neck area is possible and provides
manufacturing-technological advantages as a result of the simple
configuration of the original molding tool.
[0013] Advantageously, the venting openings for a targeted cooling
of the head are arranged in the temple area and/or neck area.
[0014] Advantageously, one or several covers have venting slots
that enable a permanent venting action. These venting slots in a
preferred embodiment are open in a direction toward the rear and
downward.
[0015] In order for the covers to stay in the desired position,
they can be locked by means of positive-locking action or
frictional action in at least one position. This is realized
advantageously by means of knobs that are integrated into the sides
of the covers and engage lockingly in recesses in the helmet
material. The positions of the knobs and recesses can also be
reversed.
[0016] The axles of the tiltable, foldable or pivotable covers are
advantageously integrated into the helmet in such a way that the
covers, as needed, can be removed. In this way, one for several
covers can be selected with respect to special requirements and
inserted into the helmet. For example, covers with or without
pre-manufactured additional venting openings can be inserted. The
covers can be matched with regard to their color or their material
or they can be furnished with additional functional elements, for
example, lighting means, forced venting means, reflectors,
receptacles for head phones or ear phones or the lice. Forced
venting means ensure by an active air supply, for example, by means
of a fan, a forced air supply into the helmet.
[0017] An elastic snap-on system for the cover provides, for
example, to introduce the axle into positive-locking bearings
wherein the bearings are comprised of elastic material and have an
opening with a somewhat smaller diameter than the thickness of the
axle so that the axle with minimal force expenditure can be
unsnapped by the wearer.
[0018] An elastic snap-on system for the covers provides that the
axles of the covers are formed as pins on shaped parts of elastic
material which enable an elastic deformation of the shaped parts in
order to introduce the axle pins into the axle bushings in the
helmet material or to remove them therefrom.
[0019] A further elastic snap-on system for the covers provides
that the axle bushings are embodied in elastic shaped parts of the
helmet material so that a brief deformation enables introduction or
removal of the covers.
[0020] Also, combinations of the mentioned exemplary elastic
snap-on systems for attachment of the axles of the covers in the
helmet material are possible.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment the covers have forwardly oriented
venting openings. The covers are symmetric so that a cover, in case
that the airstream is to be reduced, can be removed from the
elastic snap-on system and can be reinserted after rotation about
180.degree.. The venting openings of the covers now point to the
rear and are no longer directly flowed through. In case that the
air flow is to be increased, the reverse can be done.
[0022] A preferred embodiment provides that the venting openings
and the corresponding covers are formed within frames. The frames
can be integrated into the helmet or can be separate so as to be
removable from and insertable into the helmet. In this way, it is
possible to exchange the entire venting opening with frame and
cover in order to thus insert embodiments that are matched to the
requirements or to realize fashion-based or aesthetic adaptations
of the helmet shell. Also, insertion of functional elements, such
as lighting means or forced venting means, into the frame is
possible.
[0023] In a further preferred embodiment the frames serve as
holders for covers that can be rotated about an axis that is
oriented perpendicularly to the helmet surface.
[0024] The frames can be of a closed configuration or surround the
covers only partially, for example, in the form of a U wherein the
open end of the U is a cutout of the frame.
[0025] Preferably, the axis of rotation of the cover is arranged
centrally and at a right angle to the symmetry line.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a helmet with a venting system according to the
present invention in a cavalier projection.
[0027] FIG. 2 shows a detail of a helmet shell with venting opening
and correlated cover in cross-section.
[0028] FIG. 3 shows an alternative locking device in a basic
illustration.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] In one embodiment, two venting openings are provided in a
helmet. Both venting openings are arranged along a symmetry line
that extends from the forehead area of the helmet (root of the nose
of the wearer) across, during wearing, the highest point toward the
neck area (cervical vertebra of the wearer) of the helmet. The
first venting opening is located above the forehead area of the
helmet in front of the highest point, the second venting opening is
located behind the highest point of the helmet in front of the neck
area. The two openings are axial-symmetrical to the above-mentioned
symmetry line and are provided with covers. The covers are
integrated in such a way into the helmet surface that in the closed
state they are flush with its surface. The covers are moveable and
can partially release the venting openings by tilting. The axis of
rotation of the cover extends centrally and at a right angle to the
symmetry line.
[0030] Upon actuation of the forward cover, the front end, in the
viewing direction of the helmet wearer, of the cover is lifted
above the surrounding helmet surface while the rear end of the
cover is lowered below the level of the surrounding helmet surface.
The forward end of the cover has in this connection at its bottom
side venting ribs that serve at the same time as a reinforcement of
the cover. At the helmet part that upon tilting of the cover
becomes exposed at the rearward cover end, there are also venting
ribs arranged.
[0031] The rear cover is embodied in a similar way as the front
cover. Upon opening of the rear cover, however, the rear part of
the cover is lifted above the surrounding helmet surface so that
correspondingly the front part of the rear cover will be lowered
below the level of the surrounding helmet surface.
[0032] The rear cover is provided with several venting slots that
ensure a minimal venting action. These venting slots open oriented
to the rear and downwardly and ensure in this way a venting action
without allowing possibly existing precipitation to enter.
[0033] FIG. 1 shows a helmet with a venting system according to the
invention in a cavalier projection. In the helmet surface 10 a
cover 1 is arranged that is supported so as to be rotatable about
axis of rotation 2. In the illustration according to FIG. 1 the
cover is rotated such that a front venting opening 8 and a rear
venting opening 9 are open. By pressing onto the front area of the
cover 1, the user in a simple way can effect rotation of the cover
1 by which the two venting openings 8, 9 are dosed. Both venting
openings have venting passages or venting ribs 11 that distribute
the air stream in the interior of the helmet.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows a detail of a helmet shell with venting opening
and correlated cover 1 in cross-section. The cover 1 is fitted into
a frame 3 and is movable about as of rotation 2. The two locking
devices 4 serve for fixation of the cover 1 in the open position or
closed position. The cover 1 is illustrated in the closed position.
In this position it is secured by the locking device 4. The two
arrows indicate the possible opening movement of the cover 1. In
the open position, the cover 1 is secured with the slotted locking
device 4.
[0035] FIG. 3 shows an alternative locking device 4 in a basic
illustration. The direction of the arrow indicates the direction of
movement of the cover 1. The cover 1 and frame 3 are comprised of
elastic materials so that the knob 6 can pass across the knob 5 and
can assume a stable position in the recess 7. In this way, the
cover 1 is secured in the desired position.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0036] 1 cover [0037] 2 axis of rotation [0038] 3 frame [0039] 4
locking device [0040] 5 knob in the frame [0041] 6 knob on the
cover [0042] 7 recess in the frame [0043] 8 front venting opening
[0044] 9 rear venting opening [0045] 10 helmet surface [0046] 11
venting passages/venting ribs
* * * * *