U.S. patent application number 15/007932 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-06 for helmet and visor assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Revision Military Inc., Sport Maska Inc.. Invention is credited to Pierre-Luc BEAUCHAMP, Brendan GALLIVAN, Simon LANGLOIS, Stephane LEBEL, Pierre-Luc LUSSIER, Sebastien MORIN, Philippe VALIQUETTE.
Application Number | 20160286890 15/007932 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57016435 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160286890 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MORIN; Sebastien ; et
al. |
October 6, 2016 |
HELMET AND VISOR ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A visor assembly for a helmet including two adjustment
mechanisms each including a base portion connectable to a side
portion of the helmet and a cover portion. The base portion has an
adjustment aperture and at least one support member. The cover
portion of each adjustment mechanism is manually displaceable
between a secured position engaged with the base portion and an
exposed position. The cover portion allows access to the adjustment
aperture(s) in the exposed position. The support member(s) of each
adjustment mechanism are removably engaged to the respective side
end portion of the visor. In the secured position, the cover
portion prevents disengagement of the support member(s) from the
visor. A method of adjusting the position of the visor is also
disclosed.
Inventors: |
MORIN; Sebastien; (Brossard,
CA) ; VALIQUETTE; Philippe; (Laval, CA) ;
BEAUCHAMP; Pierre-Luc; (St-Hippolyte, CA) ; LANGLOIS;
Simon; (Notre-Dame-de-lI'lle-Perrot, CA) ; LUSSIER;
Pierre-Luc; (Montreal, CA) ; LEBEL; Stephane;
(Saint-Redempteur, CA) ; GALLIVAN; Brendan; (Essex
Junction, VT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sport Maska Inc.
Revision Military Inc. |
Montreal
Montreal |
|
CA
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
57016435 |
Appl. No.: |
15/007932 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62140215 |
Mar 30, 2015 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/221 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/22 20060101
A42B003/22 |
Claims
1. A helmet, comprising: a helmet body adapted to cover at least
part of a head of a wearer, the helmet body having a front portion,
a rear portion, and two side portions to each cover a respective
front, rear, and sides of the head; an adjustment mechanism on each
respective one of the two side portions of the helmet body, each
adjustment mechanism comprising: a base portion connected to the
respective one of the side portions by at least one connection
member extending through the base portion and into the respective
one of the side portions, the at least one connection member in a
first configuration allowing relative motion between the base
portion and the respective one of the side portions and in a second
configuration fixing a relative position of the base portion with
respect to respective one of the side portions, the base portion
having at least one support member, and a cover portion manually
displaceable between a secured position engaged with the base
portion and an exposed position, the cover portion allowing access
to the at least one connection member at least in the exposed
position; and a visor configured to protect at least part of a face
of the wearer, the visor including opposed side end portions, the
at least one support member of each adjustment mechanism being
removably engaged with a respective one of the side end portions;
wherein in the secured position, at least part of the cover portion
of each adjustment mechanism is located outwardly of an outer
surface of the visor and prevents disengagement of the at least one
support member from the respective one of the side end
portions.
2. The helmet of claim 1, wherein each of the side end portions has
a visor aperture defined therethrough, the at least one support
member of each adjustment mechanism being removably received
through the visor aperture of the respective one of the side end
portions, and wherein in the secured position, the cover portion of
each adjustment mechanism prevents removal of the at least one
support member from the visor aperture of the respective one of the
side end portions.
3. The helmet of claim 2, wherein each connection member is located
within a perimeter defined by the visor aperture of the respective
one of the side end portions such that in the exposed position,
each connection member is accessible through the visor aperture of
the respective one of the side end portions.
4. The helmet of claim 3, wherein for each adjustment mechanism,
the cover portion in the secured position closes the visor aperture
of the respective one of the side end portions and prevents access
to the at least one connection member.
5. The helmet of claim 1, wherein for each adjustment mechanism,
each of the at least one connection member is slidingly received
through a respective elongated adjustment aperture defined in the
base portion, the at least one connection member in the second
configuration engaging a surface of the base portion with a surface
of the respective one of the side portions to prevent the relative
sliding motion by friction.
6. The helmet of claim 2, wherein the at least one support member
of each adjustment mechanism includes a ridge projecting away from
the surface of the base portion and defining at least part of a
perimeter receivable in a perimeter of the visor aperture of the
respective one of the side end portions.
7. The helmet of claim 6, wherein the ridge has at least one
elongated ridge slot extending through a portion of the ridge
extending out of the visor aperture of the respective one of the
side end portions, the cover portion engaging the base portion in
the secured position upon being inserted through the at least one
ridge slot.
8. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the base portion and the cover
portion are connected by a hinge, the cover portion rotating about
the hinge between the secured and exposed positions.
9. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the base portion and the cover
portion are connected by a pivot defining a pivot axis extending
perpendicularly to a plane of the base portion, the cover portion
pivoting about the pivot axis between the secured and exposed
positions.
10. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism
securing the cover portion to the base portion in the secured
position.
11. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the cover portion of each
adjustment mechanism includes a main body hingedly connected to the
base portion, a sliding portion and a locking portion, the sliding
portion slidable with respect to the main body and locking portion
between a locked position where the sliding portion secures the
cover portion to the base portion and an unlocked position where
the cover portion is free to move from the secured position to the
exposed position, the locking portion including a protrusion
removably received and biased in a recess of the sliding portion to
prevent movement from the locked position to the unlocked position,
the locking portion manually displaceable to remove the protrusion
from the recess.
12. A visor assembly for a helmet, the visor assembly comprising:
two adjustment mechanisms each comprising: a base portion
connectable to a respective side portion of the helmet and having
at least one an adjustment aperture extending therethrough each
sized to receive a respective connection member, the base portion
having at least one support member, and a cover portion manually
displaceable between a secured position engaged with the base
portion and an exposed position, the cover portion allowing access
to the at least adjustment aperture at least in the exposed
position; and a visor to protect at least part of a face of the
wearer, the visor including opposed side end portions, the at least
one support member of each of the two adjustment mechanisms being
removably engaged to a respective one of the side end portions;
wherein in the secured position, the cover portion of each of the
two adjustment mechanisms prevents disengagement of the at least
one support member from the respective one of the side end
portions.
13. The visor assembly of claim 12, wherein the opposed side end
portions of the visor each have a visor aperture defined
therethrough, the at least one support member of each of the two
adjustment mechanisms being removably received through the visor
aperture of the respective one of the side end portions, wherein in
the secured position, at least part of the cover portion of each of
the two adjustment mechanisms is located outwardly of an outer
surface of the visor and prevents removal of the at least one
support member from the visor aperture of the respective one of the
side end portions.
14. The visor assembly of claim 13, wherein each of the at least
one adjustment apertures is located within a perimeter defined by
the visor aperture of the respective one of the side end portions
such in the exposed position, each of the at least adjustment
apertures is accessible through the visor aperture of the
respective one of the side end portions.
15. The visor assembly of claim 14, wherein for each of the two
adjustment mechanisms, the cover portion in the secured position
closes the visor aperture of the respective one of the side end
portions and prevents access to the at least one adjustment
apertures.
16. The visor assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one
support member of each of the two adjustment mechanisms includes a
ridge projecting away from the surface of the base portion and
defining at least part of a perimeter receivable in a perimeter of
the visor aperture of the respective one of the side end
portions.
17. The visor assembly of claim 16, wherein the ridge has at least
one elongated ridge slot extending through a portion of the ridge
extending out of the visor aperture of the respective one of the
side end portions, the cover portion engaging the base portion in
the secured position upon being inserted through the at least one
ridge slot.
18. The visor assembly of claim 12, wherein the base portion and
the cover portion are connected by a hinge, the cover portion
rotating about the hinge between the secured and exposed
positions.
19. The visor assembly of claim 12, wherein the base portion and
the cover portion are connected by a pivot defining a pivot axis
extending perpendicularly to a plane of the base portion, the cover
portion pivoting about the pivot axis between the secured and
exposed positions.
20. The visor assembly of claim 12, further comprising a locking
mechanism securing the cover portion to at least one of the base
portion and the visor in the secured position.
21. The visor assembly of claim 12, wherein the cover portion of
each adjustment mechanism includes a main body hingedly connected
to the base portion, a sliding portion and a locking portion, the
sliding portion slidable with respect to the main body and locking
portion between a locked position where the sliding portion secures
the cover portion to the base portion and an unlocked position
where the cover portion is free to move from the secured position
to the exposed position, the locking portion including a protrusion
removably received and biased in a recess of the sliding portion to
prevent movement from the locked position to the unlocked position,
the locking portion manually displaceable to remove the protrusion
from the recess.
22. A method of adjusting a position of a visor relative to a
helmet, the method comprising: engaging part of each of two base
portions in a respective aperture of the visor, each of the two
base portions being adjustably connected to a respective side
portion of the helmet; sliding at least one of the two base
portions relative to the respective side portion of the helmet
while maintaining the part of each of the two base portions engaged
in the respective aperture; and fixing a position of said at least
one of the two base portions with respect to the respective side
portion of the helmet.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein sliding said at least one of
the two base portions and fixing the position of said at least one
of the two base portions both include changing a configuration of
at least one connection member extending between said at least one
of the two base portions and the respective side portion of the
helmet, the method further comprising, after fixing the position,
covering the at least one connection member to prevent access
thereto.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. application No.
62/140,215 filed on Mar. 30, 2015, the entire contents of which are
incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The application relates generally to protective helmets and,
more particularly, to helmets with removable and adjustable
visors.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
[0003] Some protective helmets are used with a visor for protecting
the face of the wearer of the helmet. It is known to adjust the
position of the visor with respect to the helmet in order to
position the visor to the satisfaction of the wearer.
[0004] However, some conventional visors need to be removed from
the helmet when adjusting the position of helmet members engaging
the visor. Furthermore, some conventional helmets require tools to
remove the visor from the helmet and/or adjust its position. These
encumbrances limit the ability of the wearer to quickly and easily
adjust the position of the visor.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one aspect, there is provided a helmet, comprising: a
helmet body adapted to cover at least part of a head of a wearer,
the helmet body having a front portion, a rear portion, and two
side portions to each cover a respective front, rear, and sides of
the head; an adjustment mechanism on each respective one of the two
side portions of the helmet body, each adjustment mechanism
comprising: a base portion connected to the respective one of the
side portions by at least one connection member extending through
the base portion and into the respective one of the side portions,
the at least one connection member in a first configuration
allowing relative motion between the base portion and the
respective one of the side portions and in a second configuration
fixing a relative position of the base portion with respect to
respective one of the side portions, the base portion having at
least one support member, and a cover portion manually displaceable
between a secured position engaged with the base portion and an
exposed position, the cover portion allowing access to the at least
one connection member at least in the exposed position; and a visor
configured to protect at least part of a face of the wearer, the
visor including opposed side end portions, the at least one support
member of each adjustment mechanism being removably engaged with a
respective one of the side end portions; wherein in the secured
position, at least part of the cover portion of each adjustment
mechanism is located outwardly of an outer surface of the visor and
prevents disengagement of the at least one support member from the
respective one of the side end portions.
[0006] In another aspect, there is provided a visor assembly for a
helmet, the visor assembly comprising: two adjustment mechanisms
each comprising: a base portion connectable to a respective side
portion of the helmet and having at least one an adjustment
aperture extending therethrough each sized to receive a respective
connection member, the base portion having at least one support
member, and a cover portion manually displaceable between a secured
position engaged with the base portion and an exposed position, the
cover portion allowing access to the at least adjustment aperture
at least in the exposed position; and a visor to protect at least
part of a face of the wearer, the visor including opposed side end
portions, the at least one support member of each of the two
adjustment mechanisms being removably engaged to a respective one
of the side end portions; wherein in the secured position, the
cover portion of each of the two adjustment mechanisms prevents
disengagement of the at least one support member from the
respective one of the side end portions.
[0007] In a further aspect, there is provided a method of adjusting
a position of a visor relative to a helmet, the method comprising:
engaging part of each of two base portions in a respective aperture
of the visor, each of the two base portions being adjustably
connected to a respective side portion of the helmet; sliding at
least one of the two base portions relative to the respective side
portion of the helmet while maintaining the part of each of the two
base portions engaged in the respective aperture; and fixing a
position of said at least one of the two base portions with respect
to the respective side portion of the helmet.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Reference is now made to the accompanying figures in
which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic tridimensional view of a helmet having
a visor and an adjustment mechanism according to embodiments of the
present disclosure, the adjustment mechanism being shown in a
secured position;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic tridimensional exploded view of part
of a visor and an adjustment mechanism of a helmet such as shown in
FIG. 1, according to a particular embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic tridimensional view of part of the
helmet and adjustment mechanism of FIG. 2, the adjustment mechanism
being shown in an exposed position;
[0012] FIG. 4A is a schematic tridimensional view a cover portion
of an adjustment mechanism, according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure, the exposed position corresponding to that
shown in FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of an adjustment
mechanism including the cover portion of FIG. 4A, the adjustment
mechanism being shown in a secured position;
[0014] FIG. 4C is a schematic tridimensional view of the adjustment
mechanism of FIG. 4B, with the adjustment mechanism in the secured
position and part of the cover portion moving toward its unlocked
position;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic tridimensional view of an adjustment
mechanism, according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0016] FIGS. 6A-6B are schematic tridimensional views of an
adjustment mechanism, according to yet another embodiment of the
present disclosure; and
[0017] FIGS. 7A-7B are schematic tridimensional views of an
adjustment mechanism, according to yet another embodiment of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a protective hockey helmet is generally
shown at 10. Although the helmet 10 is shown and described as a
hockey helmet, it is understood that the helmet 10 can alternately
be any other type of protective helmet 10, including but not
limited to a lacrosse helmet, a baseball helmet, a football helmet,
and a military helmet.
[0019] In the embodiment shown, the helmet 10 has a helmet body 11
which covers some or all of the head of the wearer when the helmet
10 is worn. The helmet body 11 has a front portion 12 configured to
cover and protect a corresponding front portion of the head of the
wearer, and a rear portion 13 configured to cover and protect a
corresponding rear portion of the head. The helmet body 11 also has
two side portions 14 configured to cover and protect corresponding
side portions of the head. In the embodiment shown, each side
portion 14 includes a side flap 15, which extends downwardly to
protect an area of the side portion of the head between the temple
and the ear. More particularly, the side flap 15 extends downwardly
from each side portion 14 in front of the ear while leaving the ear
uncovered. Other configurations are also possible.
[0020] The helmet 10 includes a visor assembly 50, generally
including a transparent or translucent (e.g. tinted) visor 16, 116,
216, 316, as well as first and second adjustment mechanisms 20,
20', 120, 220, 320. Each of the side portions 14 (e.g. side flap
15) of the helmet 10 has apertures or elongated grooves formed
therein so that helmet accessories, such as adjustment mechanisms
20, 20', 120, 220, 320, can be mounted to the helmet body 11.
[0021] The transparent visor 16, 116, 216, 316 protects some or all
of the face of the wearer when the helmet 10 is worn. The visor 16,
116, 216, 316 has an inner surface facing the wearer and an opposed
outer surface. The visor 16, 116, 216, 316 is a light-transmitting
shield covering at least some of the face. In the embodiment shown,
the visor 16, 116, 216, 316 is adapted to substantially protect the
top of the face as well as a part of the forehead of the wearer.
When the helmet 10 is worn, the visor 16, 116, 216, 316 thus
extends from the lower forehead of the wearer to, or below, the
nose, and rearwardly on the sides of the head to cover the temple
and rear parts of the jaw. It will be appreciated that the visor
16, 116, 216, 316 can take other configurations as well. For
example, the visor 16, 116, 216, 316 can cover the entire face of
the wearer, or be smaller than the embodiment shown, for example
covering only the eyes and region around the eyes of the wearer
without covering the nose. The visor 16, 116, 216, 316 can be made
from any suitable type of polymer or glass material, for example
capable of withstanding one (or more) impact from an object, such
as a hockey puck or a ball. The visor 16, 116, 216, 316 is
typically a curved body contouring the face of the wearer. The
visor 16, 116, 216, 316 extends between two side end portions 17,
117, 217, 317 located at opposite extremities of the visor 16, 116,
216, 316.
[0022] The visor 16, 116, 216, 316 is mounted and secured to the
helmet body 11 via adjustment mechanisms 20, 20', 120, 220, 320.
Each adjustment mechanism 20, 20', 120, 220, 320 allows the
position of the visor 16, 116, 216, 316 relative to the helmet body
to be adjusted by the wearer without having to remove the visor 16,
116, 216, 316 from the helmet body.
[0023] FIGS. 2-3 show an adjustment mechanism 20 in accordance with
a particular embodiment. Each of the side end portions 17 of the
visor 16 has a visor aperture 18 defined therethrough, allowing the
visor 16 to be secured to the helmet body 11. In this embodiment,
each visor aperture 18 is a relatively large opening extending
through the visor 16 between its inner and outer surfaces. It will,
however, be appreciated that the visor aperture 18 is not limited
to the shape or size disclosed herein, and can take different
shapes and sizes; for example, multiple apertures may be provided
on the same side end portion 17.
[0024] The adjustment mechanism 20 on each side portion of the
helmet body can engage the corresponding side end portions 17, in
the embodiment shown through engagement with the visor aperture 18,
in order to mount the visor 16 to the helmet body, and secure it in
position. Each adjustment mechanism 20 is secured to, removable
from, and displaceable with respect to, a respective one of the
side portions 14 of the helmet body. Each adjustment mechanism 20
includes a base portion 22, one or more connection members 27 which
secures the base portion 22 to the helmet body and allows it to be
selectively displaced, and a cover portion 30 which engages the
base portion 22 to secure the visor 16 to the helmet body.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, each adjustment mechanism 20 is mounted
to a corresponding side portion 14 of the helmet body 11. In the
embodiment shown, the base portion 22 connects to, and is removable
from, the side portion 14 of the helmet body 11 such that it can be
displaced with respect to that side portion, and thus with respect
to the helmet body 11. In the embodiment shown, the base portion 22
is mounted to the side flap 15, but it can be mounted elsewhere on
the side portion 14 or helmet body 11. The base portion 22
therefore allows the adjustment mechanism 20 to be secured to the
helmet body 11, and for the position of the adjustment mechanism 20
to be selectively adjusted. The base portion 22 is typically a
planar bracket or other body having a first surface in contact with
the side portion 14 of the helmet body 11, and an opposite second
surface facing away from the helmet body 11. The base portion 22
has one or more adjustment apertures 23 which extend through the
body of the base portion 22 between the first and second
surfaces.
[0026] Each connection member 27 in a first configuration allows
relative sliding motion between the base portion 22 and the side
portion 14, and in a second configuration fixes the position of the
base portion 22 with respect to the side portions 14. In the
embodiment shown, each connection member 27 is inserted through a
corresponding adjustment aperture 23 and into a corresponding side
portion 14 of the helmet body 11 to secure the base portion 22 to
the helmet body 11. Each adjustment aperture 23 is an elongated
slot, and the connection member 27, for example a screw, is
slidingly received within that elongated slot. In the first
configuration, when the connection member 27 loosely connects the
base portion 22 to the helmet body 11 through the slot 23, the
connection member 27 is slidable within the slot 23, and the
position of the base portion 22 with respect to the helmet body 11
can therefore be adjusted. In the second configuration, once the
connection member 27 tightly connects the base portion 22 to the
helmet body 11 through the slot 23, friction between contacting
surfaces of the base portion 22 and of the helmet body 11 prevents
relative movement therebetween.
[0027] Other types of engagement members and/or adjustment
apertures are also possible. For example, multiple adjustment
apertures 23 can be provided for a same connection member 27, each
sized to snugly received the connection member 27, and the position
of the base portion 22 with respect to the helmet body 11 is
adjusted by selecting one of the apertures 23 for engagement with
the connection member 27; or, a slot may be provided in the helmet
body 11 to slidingly receive the engagement member, in combination
with the adjustment apertures 23 being defined as snug holes or as
elongated slots. Other types of attachment are also possible.
[0028] It can thus be appreciated that each connection member 27
allows the base portion 22 to be selectively displaced relative to
the side portion 14 of the helmet body 11. In displacing the base
portion 22 of the adjustment mechanism 20, the wearer is thereby
able to also displace the visor 16 mounted to the base portions 22
with respect to the helmet body 11, so that the position of the
visor 16 can be moved closer or further away from the face of the
wearer.
[0029] In the embodiment shown, the displacement of the base
portion 22, and thus of the visor 16, relative to the helmet body
11 is a translational sliding movement. More particularly, the
connection member 27 allows the base portion 22 to be moved toward
the front portion of the helmet body 11 along forward direction D1,
and toward the rear portion of the helmet body 11 along rearward
direction D2. The orientation of the base portion 22 with respect
to the helmet body 11 can remain unchanged by moving the two
connection members 27 simultaneously, or by changing the relative
positions of the connection members 27, the base 22 can be rotated
about an axis transverse to the base 22 such as to change its
orientation. This allows the wearer to lengthen or shorten the
distance of the mounted visor 16 from her/his face and/or to change
the orientation of the visor 16. Vertical displacement of the base
portion 22 with respect to the helmet body 11, as well as
displacement along other directions, is also within the scope of
the present disclosure. It can thus be appreciated that the
connection member 27 can be any device suitable for achieving such
functionality, and is not limited to being a screw, as shown in the
embodiment of FIG. 3.
[0030] The visor 16 is mounted to the helmet body 11 via each base
portion 22. More particularly, in the embodiment shown the visor
aperture 18 is removably engaged with the base portion 22. The base
portion 22 thereby supports the weight of each side end portion 17
of the visor 16. In the embodiment shown, each visor aperture 18 is
at least partially disposed over one or more of the adjustment
apertures 23. Each visor aperture 18 is therefore aligned with the
connection members 27. This allows a person to access the
connection members 27 via the visor aperture 18, thereby allowing
the position of the base portion 22 to be adjusted without having
to remove the visor 16. The base portions 22 support the visor 16
even while the position of the base portions 22 is being adjusted
with respect to the helmet body 11. Therefore, the base portions 22
allow the wearer to select the desired position of the visor 16
without having to first remove the visor 16 from the helmet body
11, which may facilitate selection of the proper position for the
visor 16.
[0031] Still referring to FIG. 3, each base portion 22 of the
adjustment mechanism 20 has one or more support members 24 which
are received through the visor aperture 18. Each support member 24
extends away from any suitable surface of the base portion 22 in
order to provide a structure which can be engaged in the visor
aperture 18. In the embodiment shown, the visor aperture 18 hangs
on one of the support members 24 such that weight of each side end
portion 17 of the visor 16 is supported. Each visor aperture 18,
and thus the visor 16, can be mounted to, and removed from, the
support members 24. Each support member 24 in FIG. 3 is a
protrusion from the second surface of the base portion 22. The
distal extremity of the protrusion forms a flange which extends
transversely to the protrusion. Each visor aperture 18 defines a
peripheral aperture edge 19, which is the edge of the visor
aperture 18 along its perimeter. The peripheral aperture edge 19 of
the visor aperture 18 is mountable to the protrusion between the
base portion 22 and the flange. The protrusion supports the weight
of the side end portion 17 of the visor 16 while the flange
restricts the movement of the side end portion 17 when the cover
portion 30 is in the exposed position.
[0032] Other configurations for the support members 24 are also
possible. For example, in an alternate embodiment, the apertures 18
are omitted, and the support members 24 engage or of more outer
edges of the side end portion 17 of the visor 16.
[0033] In the exposed position of FIG. 3, the visor 16 mounted to
the base portions 22 is supported by the support members 24 but
remains unsecured until the cover portion 30 is closed over the
support member 24 and engaged with the base portion 22, securing
the visor 16 between the cover portion 30 and the base member 22.
The cover portions 30 are therefore provided to each engage the
respective base portion 22 to secure the visor 16 to the helmet
body 11.
[0034] Each cover portion 30 is manually displaceable to engage and
disengage a corresponding base portion 22. The expression "manually
displaceable" refers to the ability of the wearer or some other
person to move each cover portion 30 using only their fingers or
hands. No tools are therefore required to displace the cover
portion 30 of each adjustment mechanism 20. The cover portion 30
can be displaced in numerous ways to engage and disengage the base
portion 22, some of which are discussed in greater detail below.
The cover portion 30 is manually displaced between the exposed
position (such as FIG. 3) and a secured position.
[0035] In the exposed position, the cover portion 30 does not
obstruct the connection member 27 or the adjustment aperture 23.
The connection member 27 is therefore exposed, and can be accessed
by the wearer or another person in order to adjust the position of
the base portion 22. Since the visor 16 is mounted to the base
portions 22 in the exposed position, its position can be adjusted
simultaneously while adjusting the position of the base portions
22. The position of the visor 16 therefore can be adjusted without
having to remove the visor 16 from the base portions 22.
Furthermore, the visor 16 in the exposed position is unsecured, and
can thus be removed by the wearer from the base portions 22 without
having to use tools.
[0036] In the adjustment mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 3, the base
portion 22 and the cover portion 30 are connected to one another
via a hinge 33. The hinge 33 defines a hinge axis 34 which is
parallel to a plane defined by the substantially planar base
portion 22. In operation, the cover portion 30 is manually
manipulated to rotate about the hinge axis 34 toward the base
portion 22 in order to engage the base portion 22 in the secured
position. The cover portion 30 can also be manually manipulated to
rotate about the hinge axis 34 away from the base portion 22 in
order to expose the connection member 27 and the adjustment
apertures 23 in the exposed position. In FIG. 3, the hinge axis 34
has a substantially vertical orientation (i.e. towards the top and
bottom of the helmet body 11. This orientation of the hinge axis 34
allows the cover portion 30 to pivot towards the front and back
portions of the helmet body 11. In some embodiments, the hinge axis
34 has a substantially horizontal orientation.
[0037] In the secured position, the cover portion 30 rests against
or close to the support members 24. The cover portion 30 and base
portion 22 cooperate to engage part of the side end portion 17 of
the visor 16. At least part of the cover portion 30 is located
outwardly of the outer surface of the side end portion 17 and
maintains the engagement of the support members 24 with the end
portion 17 of the visor 16 (e.g. in the aperture 18).
[0038] The cover portion 30 has a locking mechanism 36 for securing
the cover portion 30 in the secured position, including a resilient
retention finger 37 which extends from the cover portion 30 toward
the base portion 22 when in the secured position. The retention
finger 37 can be elastically manipulated to engage the base 22
through a complementarily shaped recess 38 formed in the visor end
portion 17 adjacent to the aperture 18, to lock the cover portion
30 in the secured position. To manually displace the cover portion
30 to the exposed position, the retention finger 37 is elastically
deformed manually by the wearer to be disengaged from the recess
38.
[0039] In the secured position and in accordance with a particular
embodiment (FIG. 1 showing an example of a secured position), each
cover portion 30 engages the corresponding base portion 22 to cover
the adjustment aperture and the one or more connection members 27
(FIGS. 2-3) securing the base portion 22 to the helmet body 11.
This shielding of the connection member 27 and the adjustment
aperture 23 prevents access to the connection members 27. The
connection members 27 therefore cannot be moved, and the base
portion 22 is thus prevented from being displaced relative to the
side portion 14 of the helmet body 11. The cover portion 30 may
also engage some part of the visor 16, such as the side end portion
17 or the peripheral aperture edge 19, while engaging the base
portion 22. This engagement prevents displacement of the visor
aperture 18, thereby securing the visor 16 to the helmet body 11.
It is understood that in other embodiments, the connection members
27 may remain accessible in the secured position.
[0040] In use, each base portion 22 is mounted to the respective
side portion 14 of the helmet body 11 using one or more of the
connection members 27. More particularly, each connection member 27
is inserted through the adjustment aperture 23 of each base portion
22 and into a corresponding opening in the side portion 14 of the
helmet body 11.
[0041] Each side end portion 17 of the visor 16 can then be engaged
to the support members 24 of the base portion 22. In the embodiment
shown, the support members 24 of each base portion 22 are engaged
in each visor aperture 18. The cover portions 30 can then be
displaced by the wearer's hands to the secured position, where the
cover portions 30 engage the base portions 22 and secure the visor
16 to the helmet body 11. If the wearer wishes to remove the visor
16 or adjust its position, the wearer can manually displace the
cover portions 30 to the exposed position. The wearer can then
remove the visor 16 from the base portions 22 by disengaging the
visor apertures 18 from the base portions 22. Or, the wearer can
adjust the position of the visor 16 by accessing the exposed
connection members 27 and removing or loosening them to displace
the base portions 22, and the visor 16, toward the front portion or
the rear portion of the helmet body 11. Once in the desired
position, the connection members 27 can be tightened or inserted
into the adjustment apertures 23 to secure the base portions 22 in
their new positions. The cover portion 30 can then be manually
displaced to the secured position, thereby securing the newly
positioned visor 16 to the helmet body 11.
[0042] FIGS. 4A-4C show an adjustment mechanism 20' according to
another embodiment. The adjustment mechanism 20' is similar to the
adjustment mechanism 20 of FIGS. 2-3, and common elements will not
be described again herein; in the exposed position, the adjustment
mechanism 20' is as shown in FIG. 3. The adjustment mechanism 20'
differs mainly from that shown in FIGS. 2-3 in the configuration of
the locking mechanism 36' for securing the cover portion 30' in the
secured position.
[0043] The cover portion 30' includes three elements which are
movable relative to one another: a main body 31 hinged to the base
portion 22, a sliding member 40 and a locking member 35. The
locking member 35 has one end including legs 35a extending from its
inner surface, into corresponding openings defined through the main
body; the legs include slots engaging the hinges 33 (see FIG. 3) of
the adjustment mechanism 20', so that the locking member 35 is
engaged to the base 22 together with the main body 31. The locking
member 35 has a T-shaped protrusion 28 extending from its inner
surface at the opposed end, defined by a neck 28a extending from
the inner surface and an enlarged head 28b connected to the neck
28a. The head 28b of the protrusion 28 is receivable through a
complementary opening 29 defined through a plate of the main body
31.
[0044] The sliding member 40 includes a plate received against the
outer surface of the plate of the main body 31. The plate of the
sliding member 40 has an elongated slot 39 defined therethrough,
sized to receive the neck 28a of the protrusion 28 but smaller in
width than its enlarged head 28b so that is cannot pass
therethrough. The sliding member 40 is slidable with respect to the
main body 31 and locking member 35 between a locked position (FIG.
4B) and an unlocked position (FIG. 4A), along a path defined by the
length of the elongated slot 39, guided by the engagement of the
neck 28a within the elongated slot 39. The elongated slot 39 has an
enlarged portion 39a at its end closest to the hinge 33, sized such
that the head 28b of the protrusion can be inserted therethrough.
The plate of the sliding member 40 includes a recess 32 on its
inner surface at the end of the elongated slot 39 furthest from the
hinge 33. The sliding member 40 includes a retention finger 37'
extending inwardly from its plate, and defining the end of the
cover portion 30' furthest from the hinge 33. The retention finger
37' is curved and in the locked position of the sliding member 40,
with the cover portion 30' in the secured position, curves or hooks
around the end 22' of the base 22 (see FIG. 4B) through the
complementary shaped recess 38 formed adjacent the aperture 18 of
the visor 16 (see FIG. 3) to lock the cover portion 30' in the
secured position.
[0045] In the locked position, the head 28b of the protrusion 28 is
located inwardly of the sliding member 40, received in the recess
32 on its inner surface, and biased outwardly, for example through
the action of a spring (not shown) or through elastic deformation
of the locking member 40. The engagement of the head 28b of the
protrusion 28 in the recess 32 of the sliding member 40 prevents
movement of the sliding member 40 relative to the main body 31 and
locking member 35.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 4C, to move the cover portion 30' from the
secured position, the sliding member 40 must be moved to the
unlocked position. To that end, the locking member 35 is pressed
inwardly, i.e. toward the helmet (arrow A), as the sliding member
40 is pulled in a direction away from the hinge 33 (arrow B). The
inward movement disengages the head 28b of the protrusion 28 from
the recess 32, allowing the head 28b to slide along the inner
surface of the sliding member 40 as the sliding member 40 is moved
away from the hinge, the neck 28b of the protrusion 28 sliding in
the elongated slot 39. This movement of the sliding member 40
disengages the retention finger 37' from the base 22, allowing the
cover portion 30' to be pivoted away from the base 22 to the
exposed position (FIG. 3).
[0047] The sliding movement of the sliding member 40 is stopped
before the head 28b of the protrusion 28 moves into the enlarged
end 39a of the slot 39; the enlarged area 39a is provided to enable
assembly of the elements of the cover portion 30'. A bump at the
end of the sliding member 40 engages a corresponding surface of the
main body 31 to stop its movement in the unlocked position,
preventing further movement of the sliding portion 40 in the
direction away from the hinges 33.
[0048] When the cover portion 30' is moved back to the secured
position, the sliding member 40 is moved toward the hinge 33; the
head 28b of the protrusion 28 slides along the inner surface of the
sliding member 40 as the sliding member 40 is moved toward the
hinge 33, the neck 28a of the protrusion 28 sliding in the
elongated slot 39. This retention finger 37' is engaged with the
base 22 to lock the cover portion 30' in place. At this position,
the outward bias of the locking member 35 brings the head 28b of
the protrusion 28 within the recess 32 of the sliding member 40,
thus locking the cover portion 30' in the secured position.
[0049] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of an adjustment mechanism
120. The support member 124 in this embodiment includes a ridge 125
which projects away from the surface of the base portion 122. In
this embodiment, the ridge 125 defines a closed perimeter, forming
an enclosure. It will be appreciated, however, that the orientation
and extent of the ridge 125 can vary. For example, the ridge 125
can be a horizontal protrusion extending only along an upper
segment of the base portion 122.
[0050] In the embodiment shown, the ridge 125 is snugly receivable
within the perimeter of the visor aperture 118. The peripheral
aperture edge 119 of the visor aperture 118 engages the ridge 125,
or some part thereof, and is supported by the ridge 125. More
particularly, the side end portion 117 of the visor 116 is mounted
to the base portion 122, and thus to the helmet body 11, when the
ridge 125 is received in the visor aperture 118 such that the
peripheral aperture edge 119 engages some or all of the ridge 125.
The ridge 125 supports the weight of the side end portion 117 of
the visor 116, and prevents the visor 116 from being displaced
relative to the base portion 122. The wearer can easily remove the
visor 116 from the base portion 122 by disengaging the ridge 125
from the visor aperture 118.
[0051] The cover portion 130 of the adjustment mechanism 120
includes a cover piece 131. The cover piece 131 can be mounted to
the base portion 122, and removed completely from the base portion
122. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the ridge 125 has aligned ridge
slots 126 defined as elongated apertures through two opposed
vertical walls of the ridge 125, in a portion of the ridge 125
extending out of the visor opening 118 when the ridge 125 is
engaged therein. When the cover piece 131 is manually displaced to
the secured position, a first end 132 of the cover piece 131 is
inserted through first one, and then the other, ridge slot 126
until the second end 132 of the cover piece 131 abuts against the
ridge 125. The cover portion 130 and base portion 122 cooperate to
engage part of the side end portion 117 of the visor 116. At least
part of the cover portion 130 is located outwardly of the outer
surface of the side end portion 117 and maintains the engagement of
the ridge 125 in the aperture 118.
[0052] It is understood that the cover piece 131 is not limited to
the embodiment shown. For example, the cover piece 131 can be a cap
that is secured over the ridge 125 of the base portion 122 in the
secured position, and which is removed from the ridge 125 in the
exposed position. Other configurations are also possible.
[0053] The cover portion 130 has a locking mechanism for securing
the cover portion 130 in the secured position, including a
resilient member 135 which is depressed by the walls of a first one
of the ridge slots 126 as the cover piece 131 is inserted, and
expands once it passes through this first ridge slot 126. The
expanded resilient member 135 prevents the ends 132 of the cover
piece 131 from being pulled out of the ridge slots 126, and thus
prevents the visor 116 from being easily removed. In order to
manually displace the cover piece 131 to the exposed position, the
resilient member 135 must be depressed and the cover piece 131
withdrawn through the ridge slots 126.
[0054] FIGS. 6A and 6B show another embodiment of the adjustment
mechanism 220, where the cover portion 230 is pivotally engaged to
the base portion 222. More particularly, the base portion 222 and
the cover portion 230 are connected to one another via a pivot 233.
The pivot 233 defines a pivot axis 234 which extends
perpendicularly to the plane defined by the substantially planar
base portion 222. In operation, the cover portion 230 is manually
manipulated to pivot about the pivot axis 234 by rotating in the
direction D3 toward the connection members 27 in order to engage
the base portion 222 in the secured position. The cover portion 230
can also be manually manipulated to pivot about the pivot axis 234
by rotating in the direction D4 away from the connection members 27
in order to expose the connection members 27 and the adjustment
apertures 23 in the exposed position. The cover portion 230 has a
slot 229 defined therein which in the secured position, the side
end portion 217 of the visor 216 is received in the slot 229.
[0055] The visor 216 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B includes an aperture
218 in the form of an elongated slot defined through the side end
portion 217. The visor aperture 218 is mounted to the base portion
222 by receiving a support member 224 in the form of a vertical
wall extending from the base portion 222. The side end portion 217
penetrates through an opening 223 of the base portion 222 partly
bordered by the support member 224, and the visor 216 is further
secured to the base portion 222 through a mating groove/tongue
configuration. More particularly, the visor has an indentation or
groove 221 which engages a correspondingly shaped tongue 228 on the
base portion 222, extending within the opening 223.
[0056] In this embodiment, the aperture 218 is not aligned with the
connection members 27. The side end portion 217 is sized and
configured such that when the side end portion 217 is engaged to
the base portion 222 with the support member 224 received in the
aperture 218, the end 217a of the side end portion 217 is located
forwardly of the connection members 27, such that the connection
members 27 remain accessible.
[0057] The operation of the adjustment mechanism 220 is as follows.
Each base portion 222 is mounted to the respective side portion of
the helmet body using one or more of the connection members 27.
Since the cover portions 230 are already connected to the base
portions 222, they are also mounted to the helmet body. Each side
end portion 217 of the visor 216 can then be mounted to the base
portion 222 by engaging the visor aperture 218 with the support
member 224 and the end of the visor 216 in the opening 223. The
cover portion 230 can then be displaced by the wearer's fingers to
the secured position along direction D3, where the cover portion
230 engages the base portion 222 and receives the side end portion
217 of the visor 216 in its slot 229, thereby securing the visor
216 to the helmet body. If the wearer wishes to adjust the position
of the visor 216 or remove it, the wearer can manually displace the
cover portion 230 to the exposed position by pivoting it along
direction D4. The wearer or someone else can then access the
exposed connection members 27 and remove or loosen them to displace
the base portion 222, and the visor 216, toward the front portion
or the rear portion of the helmet body. Once in the desired
position, the connection members 27 can be tightened or inserted
into the adjustment apertures 23 to secure the base portions 222 in
their new positions. The cover portion 230 can then be manually
displaced to the secured position, thereby securing the newly
positioned visor 216 to the helmet body. The cover portion 230
closes the open end of the aperture 218 defined in the end 217a of
the side end portion 217, and maintains the engagement of the
support member 224 in the aperture 218.
[0058] In an alternate embodiment, the aperture 218 is omitted, and
the opening 223 of the base portion 222 is sized to receive the end
portion 217 of the visor 216 with the support member 224 abutting
an edge of the end portion 217. The tongue 228 of the base portion
is engaged in the visor groove 221, which may be defined as an open
slot extending through the entire thickness of the end portion 217,
or as a closed recess extending only through part of the thickness
of the end portion 217.
[0059] FIGS. 7A and 7B show another embodiment of the adjustment
mechanism 320 where the base portion 322 and the cover portion 330
are connected to one another via a hinge 333. The hinge 333 defines
a horizontal hinge axis 334 which is parallel to a plane defined by
the substantially planar base portion 322. In operation, the cover
portion 330 is manually manipulated to rotate about the hinge axis
334 toward the base portion 322 in order to engage the base portion
322 in the secured position. The cover portion 330 can also be
manually manipulated to rotate about the hinge axis 334 away from
the base portion 322 in order to expose the connection members 27
and the adjustment apertures 23 in the exposed position. The
horizontal orientation of the hinge axis 334 allows the cover
portion 330 to pivot up and down (i.e. toward the top and bottom of
the helmet body).
[0060] The base portion 322 in this embodiment includes a ridge 325
which projects away from the surface of the base portion 322. The
ridge 325 forms a partial perimeter (U-shape). The peripheral
aperture edge 319 of the visor aperture 318 (or alternately, an
outer edge of the side end portion 317) engages the ridge 325 along
all of its length. More particularly, the side end portion 317 of
the visor 316 is mounted to the base portion 322, and thus to the
helmet body, when the ridge 325 is received in the visor aperture
318 such that the peripheral aperture edge 319 engages the ridge
325. The ridge 325 therefore supports the weight of the side end
portion 317 of the visor 316, and prevents the visor aperture 318
from being displaced. The wearer can easily remove the visor 316
from the base portion 322 by disengaging the visor aperture 318
from the ridge 325. In the secured position, at least part of the
cover portion 330 is located outwardly of the outer surface of the
side end portion 317 and maintains the engagement of the ridge 325
in the aperture 218.
[0061] FIGS. 7A and 7B also show a locking mechanism 336 for
securing the cover portion 330 in the secured position. The locking
mechanism 336 has one or more resilient retention fingers 337
extending from a surface of the base portion 322. Each retention
finger 337 is a projection from the base portion 322 that can be
elastically manipulated to engage a complementarily shaped
retention aperture 338 in the cover portion 330. More particularly,
as the cover portion 330 is pivoted toward the base portion 322,
each retention figure 337 is inserted through a corresponding
retention aperture 338. The walls of each retention aperture 338
may exert a force or pressure on the retention finger 337 to
elastically deform it. This secures the cover portion 330 to the
base portion 322 in the secured position, as shown in FIG. 7B. To
manually displace the cover portion 330 to the exposed position,
each retention finger 337 is elastically deformed manually by the
wearer to be removed from its retention aperture 338, thereby
unlocking the cover portion 330 and allowing it to be pivoted away
from the base portion 322, as shown in FIG. 7A.
[0062] An additional cover member 340 is also hingedly connected to
the cover portion 330 and/or base portion 322, and is pivotable
over the cover portion 330 to prevent access to the retention
fingers 337. The cover member 340 includes a resilient retention
finger 341 engaging a complementary opening 342 of the cover
portion 330.
[0063] Accordingly, the position of the visor 16, 116, 216, 316 can
be adjusted through the following method. The opposed side end
apertures of the visor are engaged to the respective adjustable
base portion which are each connected to a corresponding side
portion 14 of the helmet. The mounting of the opposed side end
apertures of the visor may include positioning each side end
aperture at least partially over one of the base portions to allow
access thereto.
[0064] The base portions are displaced relative to respective side
portions 14 of the helmet. As explained above, this can involve
displacing the base portions along directions D1 and D2 toward a
front or a back of the helmet, respectively. This displacement of
the base portions may be performed while maintaining the mounting
of the visor to these base portions. As they are being displaced,
the base portions may simultaneously support a weight of the visor,
allowing the position of the visor to be adjusted while the visor
is mounted on the helmet.
[0065] Once they are in the desired position, the displaced base
portions are fixed in position on the respective side portions 14
of the helmet. This can include covering the displaced base
portions to prevent access thereto, such as by using the cover
portions. The covering of the base portions can be done in several
different ways. For example, the base portions can be covered with
a removable cover portion (such as shown in FIG. 5), covered with a
pivotable cover portion (such as shown in FIGS. 6A-6B), or covered
with a hinged cover portion (such as shown in FIGS. 2-3, 4A-4B-4C,
and 7A-7B).
[0066] In light of the preceding, it can be appreciated that the
visor assembly disclosed herein allow for the position of a visor
to be adjusted with relative ease. More particularly, no tools are
required by the wearer to remove the visor from the helmet.
Furthermore, the visor does not need to be removed while it is
being adjusted, thereby allowing the wearer to quickly choose the
desired position of the visor with respect to their face. Some
conventional visors have to be removed completely before one can
access the adjustment screws and adjust the base portion, which
causes inconveniences.
[0067] The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one
skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the
embodiments described without departing from the scope of the
invention disclosed. For example, the visor may be movable
respective to the adjustment mechanism, for example slidable with
respect to the base when engaged therewith, for example through
engagement of complementary rail features. The base portion of the
adjustment mechanism can be permanently attached to the side end
portion of the visor, for example integrally molded therewith.
Retaining member(s) of the adjustment mechanism can be provided on
another portion of the adjustment mechanism, for example on the
cover portion along a hinged connection with the base, for example
with a surface or element of the base acting as retaining member
cooperating with the retaining member(s) of the cover portion to
engage the side end portion of the visor therebetween. Any
combination of elements from different embodiments is considered to
be within the scope of this disclosure. Other modifications which
fall within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to
those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure,
and such modifications are intended to fall within the appended
claims.
* * * * *