U.S. patent application number 15/695139 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-08 for protective helmet with novel chin-strap system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Michel FINQUEL. The applicant listed for this patent is Michel FINQUEL, UFO. Invention is credited to Guillaume BOUISSON, Michel FINQUEL.
Application Number | 20180064197 15/695139 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57860916 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180064197 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FINQUEL; Michel ; et
al. |
March 8, 2018 |
PROTECTIVE HELMET WITH NOVEL CHIN-STRAP SYSTEM
Abstract
A protective helmet with a dome having a bottom edge. A
chin-strap system comprises a rigid right arm and a rigid left arm.
Each has an attachment portion fastened to a respective side of the
dome and a substantially horizontal portion projecting forwardly
from the attachment portion. A reception space is formed between
the bottom edge of the dome and an arm for receiving an ear of the
user of the protective helmet. The reception space is open towards
the front and is defined, towards the back and downwardly, by the
arm under consideration and upwardly by the bottom edge of the
dome. A flexible strip is fastened between the two front ends of
the arms.
Inventors: |
FINQUEL; Michel; (Herzlya,
IL) ; BOUISSON; Guillaume; (La Garde, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Michel FINQUEL
UFO |
Herzlya
La Garde |
|
IL
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Michel FINQUEL
Herzlya
IL
UFO
La Garde
FR
|
Family ID: |
57860916 |
Appl. No.: |
15/695139 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/063 20130101;
A42B 3/125 20130101; A42B 3/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/08 20060101
A42B003/08; A42B 3/06 20060101 A42B003/06; A42B 3/12 20060101
A42B003/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 2, 2016 |
FR |
1601300 |
Claims
1. A protective helmet (100), comprising: a dome (102) presenting a
bottom edge (105); and a chin-strap system (116); wherein the
chin-strap system (116) comprises: a rigid right arm (118) and a
rigid left arm (120), each comprising: an attachment portion (122)
fastened to a respective side of the dome (102); and a
substantially horizontal portion (130) projecting forwards from the
attachment portion (122) at a distance from the bottom edge (105)
of the dome (102) and presenting a front end (132) that is free; so
as to form a reception space (134) between the bottom edge (105) of
the dome (102) and the arm (118, 120) under consideration for
receiving an ear of the user of the protective helmet (102), the
reception space (134) being open towards the front and being
defined, towards the back and downwards, by the arm (118, 120)
under consideration, and upwards by the bottom edge (105) of the
dome (102); and a flexible strap (138) fastened between the two
front ends (132) of the arms (118, 120).
2. The protective helmet (100) according to claim 1, wherein the
substantially horizontal portion (130) has a horizontal length of
at least 40 mm, and all along its horizontal length it lies at
least 40 mm away from the bottom edge (105) of the dome (102).
3. The protective helmet (100) according to claim 1, wherein the
reception space (134) presents a height of at least 60 mm at the
front.
4. The protective helmet (100) according to claim 1, wherein each
arm presents a front edge (136) that is concave towards the front
with a length of at least 50 mm and having a radius of curvature
that varies at most by 1 mm per millimeter along the front edge
(136).
5. The protective helmet (100) according to claim 1, wherein the
attachment portion (122) separates into a front branch (124) and a
back branch (126) that are fastened to the dome (102) respectively
in a back fastening zone and in a front fastening zone, which zones
are spaced apart from each other.
6. The protective helmet (100) according to claim 1, wherein the
dome (102) comprises: a rigid outer shell (106); a shock-absorber
layer (108) arranged inside the outer shell (106); a rigid inner
shell (110) arranged inside the shock-absorber layer (108); and
padding (112) arranged inside the inner shell (110).
7. The protective helmet (100) according to claim 1, wherein the
strap (138) is made of leather and/or of fabric, e.g. a nylon
fabric.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of protective
helmets, in particular for horse riders.
TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND
[0002] The PCT application published under the number WO
2005/105231 A1 describes a protective helmet provided with a
conventional chin-strap system comprising a flexible strap for
passing under the chin of the user, being attached to the helmet on
either side by two intermediate straps arranged in V-shapes so as
to pass on either side of an ear of the user.
[0003] Other helmets reflecting the technological background are
also described in the following documents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,901
A, EP 1 541 047 A1, US 2016/174647 A1, KR 2013/0084060 A, et DE 94
19 223 U1.
[0004] Nevertheless, a major drawback of those various chin-strap
systems lies in failure to provide good protection in the event of
an impact on the side. Specifically, under such circumstances, the
impact is absorbed solely by the bottom edge of the helmet situated
above the ear. Thus, the ear is likely to be injured. Also, in the
event of the helmet pivoting forwards, the intermediate straps
situated behind the ears can stretch and pass over the ears,
thereby leading to the protective helmet being ejected.
[0005] An object of the invention is to remedy the above drawbacks,
at least in part.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] To this end, there is provided a protective helmet,
comprising: [0007] a dome presenting a bottom edge; and [0008] a
chin-strap system;
[0009] wherein the chin-strap system comprises: [0010] a rigid
right arm and a rigid left arm, each comprising: [0011] an
attachment portion fastened to a respective side of the dome; and
[0012] a substantially horizontal portion projecting forwards from
the attachment portion at a distance from the bottom edge of the
dome and presenting a front end that is free;
[0013] so as to form a reception space between the bottom edge of
the dome and the arm under consideration for receiving an ear of
the user of the protective helmet, the reception space being open
towards the front and being defined, towards the back and
downwards, by the arm under consideration, and upwards by the
bottom edge of the dome; and [0014] a flexible strap fastened
between the two front ends of the arms.
[0015] By means of the invention, the ear is surrounded behind,
above, and below by elements that are rigid, thereby enabling side
impacts to be absorbed and protecting the user's ear, at least in
part. Also, the rigid arms have little chance of passing over the
ears in the event of the protective helmet pivoting forwards.
[0016] Optionally, the substantially horizontal portion has a
horizontal length of at least 40 millimeters (mm), and all along
its horizontal length it lies at least 40 mm away from the bottom
edge of the dome.
[0017] Also optionally, the reception space presents a height of at
least 60 mm at the front.
[0018] Also optionally, each arm presents a front edge that is
concave towards the front with a length of at least 50 mm and
having a radius of curvature that varies at most by 1 mm per
millimeter along the front edge.
[0019] Also optionally, the attachment portion separates into a
front branch and a back branch that are fastened to the dome
respectively in a back fastening zone and in a front fastening
zone, which zones are spaced apart from each other.
[0020] Also optionally, the dome comprises: [0021] a rigid outer
shell; [0022] a shock-absorber layer arranged inside the outer
shell; [0023] a rigid inner shell arranged inside the
shock-absorber layer; and [0024] padding arranged inside the inner
shell.
[0025] Also optionally, the strap is made of leather and/or of
fabric, e.g. a nylon fabric.
[0026] Also optionally, the protective helmet complies with the
standard: EN 1384 2016 06 14: Helmets for equestrian
activities.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0027] FIG. 1 is a side view of a protective helmet of the
invention.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a front view of the FIG. 1 helmet.
[0029] FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views of other protective helmets of
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] In the description and the following claims, directional
terms (such as "horizontally", "front", "vertical", "height", etc.)
refer to the front-back (F-B), up-down (U-D), and right-left (R-L)
directions usually associated with a protective helmet, e.g. when
it is in position covering the surface for protecting of the
headform specified in the standard EN 1384 2016 06 14: Helmets for
equestrian activities.
[0031] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a protective helmet 100 of
the invention is described below. The protective helmet 100 is
intended in particular to be worn by a rider, e.g. in the context
of equestrian activities. Preferably, the protective helmet
complies with the standard: EN 1384 2016 06 14: Helmets for
equestrian activities.
[0032] The protective helmet 100 includes firstly a dome 102
designed to cover the head of the rider.
[0033] The dome 102 comprises a main body 104 having a bottom edge
105. The bottom edge 105 thus forms a bottom peripheral outline of
the dome 102. The main body 104 comprises a rigid outer shell 106,
a shock-absorber layer 108 arranged inside the outer shell 106, a
rigid inner shell 110 arranged inside the shock-absorber layer 108,
and padding 112 arranged inside the inner shell 110. Thus, the
shock-absorber layer 108 is interposed between the outer shell 106
and the inner shell 110.
[0034] The dome 102 also has a peak 114 projecting forwards from
the main body 104. In the example described, the peak 114 is in
material continuity with the outer shell 106, so that together they
form a single piece.
[0035] The protective helmet 100 also includes a chin-strap
system.
[0036] The chin-strap system 116 comprises rigid right and left
arms 118 and 120 that lie respectively under right and left sides
of the dome 102.
[0037] Each of the right and left arms 118 and 120 firstly includes
an attachment portion 122 fastened to a respective side of the dome
102. In the example described, the attachment portion 122 separates
into a front branch 124 and a back branch 126 that are fastened to
the dome 102 respectively in a back fastening zone and in a front
fastening zone, which zones are spaced apart from each other. The
front branch 124 and the back branch 126 thus cooperate with the
bottom edge 105 of the dome 102 to define a side opening 128. Also,
in the example described, the attachment portion 122 is fastened to
the outer shell 106 of the dome 102 by rivets, e.g. one rivet per
branch 124, 126. Also, in the example described, the back branches
126 meet each other before reaching the dome 102. Furthermore,
additional padding 129 is provided on the insides of the back
branches 126.
[0038] Each of the right and left arms 118 and 120 includes a
substantially horizontal portion 130 projecting forwards from the
attachment portion 122 at a distance from the bottom edge 105 of
the dome 102, and presenting a front end 132 that is free. Thus, a
reception space 134 for receiving an ear of the rider is arranged
between the bottom edge 105 of the dome 102 and the arm 118, 120
under consideration. This reception space 134 is open towards the
front, and it is defined, towards the back and downwards, by the
arm 118, 120 under consideration, and upwards by the bottom edge
105 of the dome 102.
[0039] The substantially horizontal portion 130 has a horizontal
length of at least 40 mm, and all along its horizontal length it
lies at least 40 mm away from the bottom edge 105 of the dome 102.
In FIG. 1, reference 135 designates a square space having a height
of 40 mm and a length of 40 mm that serves to evaluate the size of
the reception space 134.
[0040] Preferably, the reception space 134 presents an opening
having a height H with a value of at least 60 mm. This height H is
situated between the front end 132 and the bottom edge 105 of the
dome 102.
[0041] Thus, with the above dimensions, the reception space 134 is
capable of receiving the rider's ear comfortably.
[0042] Each arm 118, 120 presents a front edge 136 (identified by a
double-headed arrow extending along its length), which is concave
towards the front, having a length of at least 50 mm, and having a
radius of curvature that varies at most by 1 mm per millimeter
along its length. Preferably, the radius of curvature varies
continuously, more preferably in linear manner. Thus, forces are
well distributed along each of the arms 118, 120, thereby improving
their strength.
[0043] The chin-strap system 116 further includes a flexible strap
138 fastened between the two ends 132 of the arms 118 and 120. By
way of example, the strap 138 is made of leather and/or of fabric,
e.g. a nylon fabric. In the example described, the strap 138 has
one end permanently fastened to the end of one of the arms 118,
120, and another end that is attached to the front end of the other
arm by an attachment device 140 enabling the length of the strap
138 to be adjusted.
[0044] It should be understood that the materials used for the arms
118, 120 are adapted to the shape of the arms, so that the
protective helmet 100 withstands the impact tests that are in
force. In the example described, the arms 118, 120 are made of a
stack of the following fabric layers going from the inside towards
the outside: a carbon fabric, two Kevlar fabrics, two fiberglass
fabrics, two Kevlar fabrics, and a carbon fabric. Each fabric
presents a thickness of about 0.2 mm, such that the arms 118, 120
have a thickness lying in the range 1 mm to 2 mm, e.g. 1.6 mm.
[0045] For example, the impact tests may comprise one or more of
those defined in the standard EN 1384 2016 06 14: Helmets for
equestrian activities.
[0046] To summarise, according to that standard, during a first
test, the protective helmet 102 is placed on a dummy head in
compliance with the standard EN960, and a vertical force is applied
upwards suddenly to the top of the protective helmet 102. This
force is at least 480 N. The protective helmet is designed so that,
following the application of this force, the dynamic extension of
the protective helmet 102 (i.e. the maximum distance travelled by
the top of the protective helmet 102 after application of the
force), including possible sliding of the attachment system 140,
does not exceed 35 mm, and the residual extension does not exceed
25 mm. After the test, once the attachment device 140 is not under
load, it must be possible to undo it manually.
[0047] During a second test, the helmet is pivoted forwards and it
is verified that it remains on the headform. The chin-strap system
116 withstands this test better than the above-mentioned
conventional chin-strap system, where the intermediate strap behind
the ear can stretch and pass over the ear so that the helmet comes
off the head. In contrast, because of their rigidity, the arms 118,
120 have little chance of deforming and passing over the rider's
ear.
[0048] FIGS. 3 and 4 show protective helmets 100 of the invention
that have arms 118, 120 of other shapes.
[0049] From the above description, it can be seen that a protective
helmet 100 of the invention enables the rider's ear to be
protected, at least in part.
[0050] It will also be understood that the presence of the two
branches 124, 126 makes it possible to achieve a pivoting effect
about the front branch 124, thereby making it possible to reduce
the stresses on the front edge 136, by causing a fraction of the
stresses to be taken up by the back of the protective helmet 102 by
means of the back branch 126. Also, the presence of the side
opening 128 makes it possible to save weight so as to make the
protective helmet 102 lighter.
[0051] The present invention is not limited to the above-described
embodiment, but on the contrary is defined by the following claims.
It is clear to the person skilled in the art that modifications may
be made thereto.
[0052] Furthermore, the terms used in the claims must not be
understood as being limited to elements of the above-described
embodiment, but must on the contrary be understood as covering any
equivalent elements that can be deduced from the general knowledge
of the person skilled in the art.
REFERENCES
[0053] 100 protective helmet [0054] 102 dome [0055] 104 main body
[0056] 105 bottom edge [0057] 106 outer shell [0058] 108
shock-absorber layer [0059] 110 inner shell [0060] 112 padding
[0061] 114 peak [0062] 116 chin-strap system [0063] 118 right arm
[0064] 120 left arm [0065] 122 attachment portion [0066] 124 front
branch [0067] 126 back branch [0068] 128 side opening [0069] 129
additional padding [0070] 130 substantially horizontal portion
[0071] 132 front end [0072] 134 reception space [0073] 135 square
space [0074] 136 front edge [0075] 138 strap [0076] 140 attachment
device
* * * * *