FR3056383B1 - INDIVIDUAL PROTECTION COMBINATION HEAD, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE COMBINATION COMPRISING SUCH A HEAT, AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an individual protective cover helmet (1) comprising an envelope (2) intended to cover the head of a user and pierced with a viewing aperture delimited by internal edges and a protective pane (5). attached to said casing (2) and delimited peripheral edges, said helmet (1) comprising a support (8) for fixing said pane (5) relative to said casing (2), said support (8) comprising an internal frame ( 9) and an outer frame (10) designed and configured to sandwich with each other and maintain in close contact the peripheral edges of said window (5) and the inner edges of said viewing aperture of the envelope (2) so as to ensure a liquid and gas tight connection between the window (5) and the envelope (2). Personal protective equipment.

Description

INDIVIDUAL PROTECTION COMBINATION HEAD, INDIVIDUAL PROTECTION COMBINATION COMPRISING SUCH A HEAT

PROCESS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME

The present invention relates to the general field of personal protective equipment, and more particularly to the field of personal protective suits of which at least part is intended to cover and protect the head of a user. More specifically, the invention relates to an individual protective cover helmet comprising: - an envelope intended to cover the head of a user and pierced with a viewing aperture delimited by internal edges, and - a protective pane attached to said envelope and delimited by peripheral edges. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a helmet of personal protective suit. Finally, the invention relates to a personal protective suit comprising such a helmet.

In the field of the protection of persons, property and the environment, it is known to use individual protection suits, whether flexible or rigid, to at least partially isolate a user from an external environment with which can take place undesirable interactions (soils, etc.), or even potentially deleterious (contamination, etc.). In the most extreme cases, as for example for applications related to a high risk of exposure to viral, bacteriological, radiological substances or particles of size and / or of a nature to induce negative effects on human health and animal (asbestos, nanoparticles, various abrasive dust, etc.), such protective suits usually include a helmet, or hood, comprising an envelope designed to completely cover the head and neck of the user, falling or not on the shoulders, and provided with at least one transparent area or faceplate so as to allow the user to visually interact with his environment in a secure manner. Such a helmet can be an integral part of the protective suit, or otherwise, be a separate part of the latter, to which it can be attached, preferably in a sealed manner, at the neck or bust of the user. Generally intended for temporary and unique use, these combinations must be as inexpensive as possible to produce, store and destroy, valorize or recycle.

In this context, individual protection suits are known polyvinyl chloride (PVC) comprising a waterproof helmet made of the same material. Inexpensive and relatively easy to implement, PVC is a material that can be found in both flexible and rigid, transparent, opaque and colored forms. It is therefore relatively easy to design combinations of colored PVC, a color code is sometimes enacted according to the intended application, surmounted by a helmet comprising an envelope, colored or not, covering the head of the user and breakthrough a vision opening at the edges of which is attached a protective glass, flexible or rigid, also made of PVC. The known use of a single material, in this case PVC, allows the simple and fast realization of a perfectly sealed assembly, particularly at the level of the connection between the vision zone and the envelope, by welding plastic parts together using various known plastic welding processes (hot, ultrasonic, high frequency, etc.).

While such mono-material helmets are generally satisfactory, the fact remains that the PVC has the particular disadvantage, when the helmets and combinations are destroyed by incineration after use, to release hydrochloric acid HCl or even dioxins, and furans or bromine. However, such a release of hydrochloric acid is particularly detrimental to the integrity of incineration furnaces, whose walls and components can be attacked by this acid, and for the safety of the operators involved.

However, replacing PVC is extremely difficult given the technical and economic constraints that apply to this type of protective equipment, which must not only have excellent sealing, high strength, high reliability, excellent transparency of the glass pane, and a great ease and safety of recovery or destruction, but still very cheap given their disposability. The invention therefore aims to remedy the main drawbacks mentioned above, and to propose a new helmet for a protective suit which, while being particularly simple, robust and inexpensive, offers excellent fluid and watertightness. gas at the level of the connection between the glass and the envelope, while allowing to overcome the problem of the materials used.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new helmet for protective suit which is particularly easy and not dangerous, as such, to destroy by incineration after use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new helmet for protective suit which is easy to set up and comfortable to wear.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new helmet for a particularly reliable and robust protective suit, while remaining relatively light.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new helmet for protective suit offering the user excellent visibility on its environment.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new method of manufacturing an individual protective cover helmet which is particularly effective, simple and quick to implement.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new method of manufacturing a personal protective cover helmet that does not require complex technical means and is relatively inexpensive to implement.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new protective suit provided with a helmet comprising a fixing support making it possible to guarantee excellent fluid and gas tightness of the connection between the window and the envelope, said combination being particularly easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new protective combination which is particularly easy and not dangerous, as such, to be destroyed by incineration after use.

The objects assigned to the invention are attained by means of an individual protective cover helmet comprising: an envelope intended to cover the head of a user and pierced with a viewing opening delimited by internal edges, and a protective window attached to said envelope and delimited by peripheral edges, characterized in that it further comprises a support for fixing said window pane relative to said envelope, said support comprising an internal frame and an external frame designed and configured to enclose with each other and maintain in close contact the peripheral edges of said window and the inner edges of said viewing aperture of the envelope so as to provide a liquid and gastight connection between the window and the envelope.

The objects assigned to the invention are also attained by means of a method of manufacturing an individual protective cover helmet, which helmet conforms to the description which is given above, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a step of supplying or manufacturing said window and envelope and said glass fixing support relative to the envelope, a step of fixing the window relative to the envelope in which the peripheral edges of said pane and the inner edges of said viewing aperture of the envelope are brought into close contact and kept in close contact between the inner frame and the outer frame so as to ensure a liquid and gas-tight connection between the pane and the envelope.

The objects assigned to the invention are finally achieved using a combination of personal protection, characterized in that it comprises a helmet according to the foregoing description. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear better on reading the description which follows, as well as with the aid of the appended figures, provided for purely explanatory and non-limiting purposes, among which: FIG. 1 illustrates, in a diagrammatic three-quarter view, a preferred embodiment of a face portion of the helmet of the invention, so as to put forward the protective glass and the fixing support of this window to the envelope intended covering the user's head; - Figure 2 illustrates, in a schematic exploded view, the various components that preferentially comprises the helmet of Figure 1; - Figure 3 illustrates, in a sectional view, a detail of the relative arrangement of the window and envelope at the mounting bracket of the helmet of Figure 2; FIG. 4 illustrates a detail of the secondary internal face of the inner frame which, according to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the preceding figures, is provided with two seals; FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate, schematically and chronologically, the successive substeps that comprise the step of fixing the window with respect to the envelope, according to the method of the invention applied to the preferred embodiment of the helmet 1 to 4. The invention relates firstly to a helmet 1, or hood, of a personal protective suit, that is to say a protective device designed to completely cover the head and the neck of a user, falling or not on the shoulders, when the user in question is a human being. This helmet 1 may be an integral part of said protective suit or otherwise, constitute a separate part of the latter, to which it can be attached, preferably sealingly, at the neck or bust of the user.

The term "personal protective suit" is preferably understood to mean a device or personal protective equipment (PPE) intended to be worn by a user, preferably a human user, with a view to protecting him or her against one or more risks likely to endanger his or her health. his security. Preferably, said helmet 1 is also, taken as such and independently of said combination, such personal protective equipment (PPE).

The helmet 1, as well as preferably the personal protective suit that it is likely to equip, is advantageously intended for use under severe conditions and in particular in contaminated environments, that is to say, preferably for use in an environment with a high risk of exposure of the user to viral, bacteriological, radiological substances or particles of size and / or of a nature to induce negative effects on health. Such a helmet 1 may thus, for example, be worn by a user involved in applications for handling, maintenance or dismantling of contaminated nuclear equipment, handling of radioactive waste, etc. The helmet 1 may also be optionally ventilated and the interior space, defined by its envelope 2 and intended to accommodate the head of the user, may optionally be placed in overpressure relative to the average pressure prevailing in the environment external to said helmet 1 In addition, said helmet 1 may advantageously be dimensioned so as to define an interior space sufficient to allow the user to wear if necessary, simultaneously with the wearing of said helmet 1, an eye-type visual correction device or a protective device. complementary type protective glasses, respirators type masks, integral or not, with or without filter cartridge, etc.

Of course, if the term "user" refers preferentially in the present description to a human user, the helmet 1 of the invention, as preferably the personal protective suit that it is likely to equip, is however not restricted to the protection of a human being and may possibly be intended for the protection of an animal or an inert object, such as scientific measuring or control equipment (camera, detector, etc.) or lighting equipment or projection of images. In the latter case, the term "combination" will then be widely considered to be synonymous with the term "holster". In addition, if such a helmet 1 of personal protective suit is preferably designed to protect the user against potential aggression, contamination or contamination related to the external environment surrounding said helmet 1 and the associated combination, it is however perfectly understood that these helmet 1 and combination can be used, reciprocally, to protect the external environment (for example when it is a clean and sterile environment, medical or industrial) of aggression, contamination or contamination emanating from the user him -even.

As partially illustrated in Figure 1, the helmet 1 comprises an envelope 2 for covering, at least partially the head, the user. Preferably, said casing 2 is designed for, when the helmet 1 is positioned on the head of the user, completely cover the head of the user, with the exception of at least one face portion intended to be positioned facing of the face, and more specifically at least in front of the eyes, of the user, at which the facial portion the envelope 2 is pierced with a viewing aperture 3 delimited by inner edges 4. Said envelope 2 can be made in a material or a rigid material assembly, and then be in the form of a helmet. It can also be made in the form of a flexible textile piece, woven or knitted from one or more natural threads (cotton, linen, etc.), metal (stainless steel, etc.) or synthetic (polyester, etc. .) and possibly covered with an impervious flexible coating. However, said envelope 2 is preferably made of plastic and flexible material, that is to say substantially devoid of rigidity clean, which contributes to the lightness and wearing comfort of the helmet 1. The use of a plastic material allows in addition, destruction of the helmet 1 by incineration, when the helmet 1 can not be recycled, in particular following its exposure to toxic substances. In general, the material of the envelope 2 may be transparent or not, translucent or otherwise, colorless or otherwise colored on the surface or in its mass. Optionally, the surfaces of the envelope 2 may have one and / or the other received a specific treatment so as to modify its properties, such as for example a hydro- or lipophobic treatment. Preferably, said casing 2 is made of non-halogenated material, so as to avoid any emission or discharge of halogenated substances and compounds, and this in particular in the event of destruction of said helmet 1 by incineration after use. Particularly advantageously, this non-halogenated material is polyethylene, for example low density polyethylene, which is particularly inexpensive and easy to manufacture and implement, while being otherwise lightweight, chemically inert and comfortable to wear.

As illustrated in the figures, the helmet 1 also comprises a protective glass 5, advantageously transparent, attached to said casing 2 and delimited by peripheral edges 6. This window 5 is advantageously designed to allow the user to interact visually. with the environment outside the helmet 1 while isolating the user from this external environment. It can affect any suitable shape, for example a discoid or ovoid shape (in which case its peripheral edges 6 will form one and the same peripheral edge 6 continuous) or polygonal (for example rectangular, as illustrated, or trapezoidal). However, it should be understood that the general shape of this window 5 is advantageously substantially identical to that of the viewing aperture 3 formed in the envelope 2,

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in particular in Figure 1, said window 5 is, for example, of substantially rectangular shape and is attached to the casing 2 so as to extend longitudinally in a direction orthogonal to the sagittal plane of the user and with regard to at least the eyes of the latter, when the user in question carries said helmet 1 on his head. Preferably, said window 5 is configured according to an arcuate profile, advantageously corresponding to the general profile of the user's face, so as to offer the latter a widest possible horizontal viewing angle, for example between 120 and 180 ° . The window 5 is preferably transparent at least in the visible range when the helmet 1 is intended for use by a human user. However, it may, alternatively, be transparent over a range of the light spectrum located outside the visible range, for example in the case where said helmet 1 is intended for the protection of detection or measurement equipment. Optionally, the outer 7A and inner 7B surfaces of the glass can have one and / or the other received a specific treatment so as to modify the appearance or the properties, for example an antireflection treatment or a mirror treatment for the outer surface 7A, antifog treatment for the inner surface 7B, etc.

Preferably, said pane 5 is made of transparent plastic material, which contributes to the lightness of the helmet 1 and, as already explained above with respect to the casing 2, allows destruction of the helmet 1 by incineration, when the latter can not be recycled. In this preferred case, said pane 5 is, more advantageously still, of non-halogenated material, so as to avoid any emission or rejection of halogenated substances and compounds, and this in particular in the event of destruction of said helmet 1 by incineration after use. As such, the window 5 is preferably made of polycarbonate, poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyester (PES), or polyepoxide, and more preferably still poly (methyl methacrylate). PMMA offers the advantage of being particularly transparent, with a light transmission superior to that of glass in the near UV, to present an excellent resistance to the atmospheric agents, the ultraviolet rays and the corrosion, while being particularly lightweight. It is therefore possible to design a relatively lightweight helmet 1 and offering, through its window 5, excellent visibility to its user. More preferably, the visual comfort of the user is improved by the implementation of a window 5 which advantageously has a clean rigidity, that is to say that it is substantially free of flaccidity, while nevertheless retaining preferably a certain flexibility (which is for example the case when the latter is in PMMA, as envisaged above). Such a property of inherent rigidity is particularly appreciable especially in the case where the internal space of the helmet 1 is not placed in overpressure. Indeed, it is observed that, in this case, the conventional non-rigid windows tend not to have a perfectly smooth surface, which can disturb the field of view of the user.

According to the invention, the helmet 1 further comprises a fastening support 8 of said pane 5 relative to said envelope 5, through which said pane 5 is thus attached to said envelope 2, preferably by its peripheral edges 6, substantially opposite the vision opening 3 pierced in the casing 2. This support 8 comprises an inner frame 9 and an outer frame 10 designed and configured for, when they are attached to one another, to sandwich between they and maintain in close contact the peripheral edges 6 of said window 5 and the inner edges 4 of said viewing aperture 3 of the casing 2 so as to ensure a tight connection to liquids and gases between the window 5 and the casing 2, as will be explained in more detail in the following. More specifically, said inner frame 9 and an outer frame 10 are designed and configured to come, when they are attached to one another, to pinch, "sandwich" or "vice" in them said peripheral edges 6 of the window 5 and said inner edges 4 of the viewing aperture 3, exerting on the latter a compressive force such that these edges 3, 4 are immobilized in close contact relative to the support and that the connection thus formed between, d on the one hand, the support8 and the casing 2 and, on the other hand, between the support and the window 5, is impervious to liquids and gases. It should also be noted here that the term "gastight" is preferably understood to mean airtightness and solid particles suspended in the air, such as dust, etc.

As is particularly apparent from Figures 2 and 3, these inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 are advantageously in the form of frames of substantially complementary shapes by superposition, the general configuration substantially takes the form of said viewing aperture 3 and window 5. Thus, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, these inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 are in the form of substantially rectangular hollow frames. Of course, these inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 can affect any other shape, depending on the shape that affect respectively said viewing aperture 3 and glass. Preferably, said inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 respectively have, on the one hand, a primary outer face 9A intended to face the user when the helmet 1 is carried by the latter and a secondary outer face 10A and, on the other hand, a primary inner face 9B and an opposite inner side 10B opposite. For convenience, the term "primary" will refer in the following to the inner frame 9, while the term "secondary" refer to the outer frame 10. As shown in the figures, the inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 are and configured so as to be arranged relative to each other so that the primary inner face 9B of the inner frame 9 is positioned opposite the secondary inner face 10B of the outer frame 10.

Preferably, at least one of said inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 has its own rigidity, that is to say that it (they) is (are) substantially devoid of (s) flaccidity. In addition, at least one of said inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 advantageously has an arcuate shape, advantageously complementary in this case to the arcuate shape that the window 5 may itself optionally present as is envisaged above. It can thus be envisaged that the inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 are both substantially rigid, which in this case constitutes a preferential embodiment, or that only one of them is rigid, so as to form when the inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 are attached to each other, a substantially rigid mounting bracket 8. Similarly, it can be envisaged that the inner 9 and outer 10 chassis both have an arcuate shape, complementary in this case, or that only one of the two frames 9, 10 has such an arcuate shape. In this case, that of the two frames 9, 10 which will have an arched shape will preferably be substantially rigid, while the other may optionally not be. The inherent rigidity of one and / or the other of said inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 can be advantageously improved by means of one or more reinforcing means, for example of the type of wing (s) 11 A, 11 B, which may come from material or be reported (for example by gluing or welding) to (x) said (s) inner frame 9 and / or outer frame 10.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, and as it appears in particular in Figures 2 and 3, the inner frame 9 is thus, for example, preferably provided with at least one reinforcing fin 11A, 11B protruding from the face primary outer 9A of said inner frame 9. Even more preferably, the inner frame 9 is provided with two reinforcing fins 11A, 11B, which come integrally with the inner frame 9 and which extend respectively longitudinally and orthogonal to the primary outer face surface 9A, along the longest sides of the rectangular frame that preferentially forms said inner frame 9. The inherent rigidity of the attachment support 8 thus preferentially conferred or improved allows optimum support of the window 5, especially in the case where the latter itself is devoid of its own rigidity or in the case where, although relatively rigid, the adite glass 5 inherently retains some flexibility.

Preferably, these frames 9, 10 are made of plastic material, or even composite material, advantageously non-halogenated for the reasons mentioned above in connection with the glass pane 5 and envelope 2. Alternatively, other materials (such as metals or alloys) ) can be envisaged depending on whether one seeks or not, for example, a rigidity own.

In order to facilitate a precise and rigorous assembly of the different constituent elements of the helmet 1, but also to improve the reliability and the strength of the latter, the support 8 and the window pane 5 are preferably provided with at least one first and at least one second complementary relative positioning means designed to allow, by cooperation of these first (s) and second (s) complementary positioning means, the positioning of said pane 5 relative to said support 3 in a first predetermined position. This first predetermined position advantageously corresponds in this case, as shown in the figures, to a position in which said window 5 is superimposed (directly or not) to the inner frame 9, advantageously at its peripheral edges 6 and so perfectly centered, the inner surface 7B of the window 5 coming to rest in contact (direct or not) with the surface of the primary inner face 9B of said inner frame 9. According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), this first predetermined position may instead correspond to a position in which said window 5 is superimposed (directly or not) to the outer frame 10, preferably still at its peripheral edges 6 and perfectly centered, the outer surface 7A of the window 5 coming to rest in contact (direct or not) with the surface of the secondary internal face 10B of said outer frame 10.

Preferably, the support 8 and the envelope 2 are themselves respectively provided with said at least one first and at least one third complementary relative positioning means designed to allow, by cooperation of œ (s) first (s) and third (s) complementary positioning means, the positioning of said casing 2 relative to said support 8 in a second predetermined position. In other words, so as to simplify the assembly maximum of the helmet 1, (s) first positioning means (s) which is (are) provided with the casing 2 is (are) advantageously identical (s) to (x) first positioning means (s) which is (are) provided with the window 5. This second predetermined position advantageously corresponds in this case, as illustrated in the figures, to a position in which said envelope 2 comes superimpose itself (directly or not) to the inner frame 9, advantageously at the inner edges 4 of its viewing aperture 3 and so that said viewing zone 3 is perfectly centered with respect to the support 8, the surface of the envelope 2 coming to rest in contact (direct or not) with the surface of the primary inner face 9B of said inner frame 9. According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), this second predetermined position may instead correspond to a position in which ladi the envelope 2 is superimposed (directly or not) on the outer frame 10, advantageously always on its inner edges 4 of its viewing aperture 3 and so that said viewing zone 3 is perfectly centered with respect to the support 8, the surface of the casing 2 coming to rest in contact (direct or not) with the surface of the secondary inner face 10B of said outer frame 10. If it is possible to envisage different modes of cooperation of (the) first (s) ) means (s) for positioning with said second (s) and third (s) positioning means, (s) said (s) first (s) positioning means cooperating (s) preferably advantageously by complementarity of male / female type with said second (s) and third (s) means. By way of example, and in accordance with the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, one of said primary internal face 9B and secondary internal face 10 (for example, the primary internal face 9) can advantageously be provided with at least one stud or projection 12 protruding forming said at least one first positioning means, while said window 5 and envelope 2 are respectively provided, respectively respectively in the vicinity of their peripheral edges 6 and inner edges 4, of at least one orifice 13A, 13B forming said at least one second and third positioning means. These orifices 13A, 13B therethrough are then advantageously configured and sized to cooperate with said first positioning means to ensure the positioning of the glass pane 5 and envelope 2 relative to said support, respectively in said first and second predetermined positions.

The term "pad" is preferably used here to mean a positioning means formed of a separate piece attached and secured by any known means to the inner frame 9 or to the outer frame 10, and by "boss" a positioning means advantageously formed by a deformation, an outgrowth or local projection of the material of said inner frame 9 or said outer frame 10. "t

More preferably, the other of said primary internal face 9B and secondary internal face 10B, that is to say that which is not provided with a stud or a boss 12 (for example, the secondary internal face 10B), is provided with at least one well (not shown) forming at least a fourth positioning means adapted to cooperate in complementarity with said at least one first positioning means, that is to say with said stud or boss 12. Thus, once said windows and casing 2 respectively positioned relative to the inner frame 9 (or to the outer frame 10), it is then particularly easy to complete the assembly of the support 8 by accurately conveying and centering the frame external 10 (or the outer frame 9) relative to said inner frame 9 (or outer frame 10) and said window 5 and envelope 2, by cooperation of said boss 12 and well, which would then be a third predicted position éterminée.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the support 8, the window 5 and the casing 2 are provided with a plurality of positioning means and the bosses 12 have, by way of example, a cylindrical shape of circular cross-section and extend from the surface of the primary internal face 9B along their axis of revolution. These bosses 12 are advantageously distributed substantially equidistantly along the perimeter of the inner frame 9. In order to ensure that said first positioning means and the other positioning means complement each other, the orifices 13A, 13B and the wells which preferably form respectively said second, third and fourth fixing means are then advantageously in number identical to that of the bosses 12 and positioned so as to come opposite said bosses 12 when the window 5, envelope 2, inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 are assembled to form the helmet 1. They also advantageously have a circular shape of diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said bosses 12. Of course, these various relative positioning means may, however, be of a different nature and shape than those described above, without departing for as much of the framework of the inventio not. For example, it is quite possible to envisage that said first positioning means consist not of orifices but of unhooked zones (or notches) formed in the peripheral edges 6 of the window 5 and interior edges 4 of the opening of the window. vision 3 of the envelope 2, which would then be designed to cooperate with complementary raised areas and formed on the surface of one of said primary inner face 9 and secondary inner face 10. As mentioned above, these positioning means relative allow greatly facilitate the assembly of the helmet 1, while ensuring a rigorous and precise positioning of the various components of said helmet 1 between them. In addition, they advantageously make it possible to reinforce the reliability and the resistance of the helmet 1, in particular by substantially reducing the risk of tearing off the envelope 2, or even the window 5, of the support 8.

Preferably, the helmet 1 further comprises at least one fastening means of said inner frame 9 and outer 10 between them, to ensure a firm hold of the inner frame 9 and outer 10 attached to each other according to the configuration in which they come to enclose with each other and maintain in close contact the peripheral edges 6 of the window 5 and the inner edges 6 of the viewing aperture 3 of the casing 2 so as to ensure a tight connection to liquids and gases between the glass pane 5 and the casing 2. This fastening means may advantageously be in the form of a bolt (s), clip (s) or staple (s), rivet (s), ) or screws. When the fixing support 8 and the window 5 and / or the fixing support 8 and the casing 2 are provided, as envisaged in the foregoing, first, second and third (or even of fourth (s)) positioning means, these first (s), second (s) and third (or even fourth (s)) positioning means can then be preferably designed to form at least one means respectively receiving said at least one fastening means. This contributes to further facilitate the design and manufacture of the helmet 1 and its support 8. In particular, the boss or bosses 12 forming the or said first positioning means can thus be pierced with an axial hole, opening or not, threaded or not, the orifices 13A, 13B passing forming said second (s) and third (s) positioning means various sizes and shapes, and the well which optionally forms at least a fourth positioning means can be traversed, so that these positioning means can accommodate and allow the implementation of said fixing means, depending on the nature of the latter. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, this (s) means (s) is (are) preferentially a screw (s) 14 self-tapping (s), this type of screw having the advantage of being particularly simple and effective to implement. The bosses 12 are therefore advantageously provided with a hole 15 not open and not threaded with a diameter smaller than that of said screws 14, the orifices 13A, 13B are circular and of a diameter to that of said screws 14 to allow the passage of the latter through them and the wells forming the fourth positioning means are emerging from the surface of the secondary outer face 10B via openings 16 to receive the head of self-tapping screws 14. In order to allow the installation of fastening means (in particular screws 14) that are relatively long, the bosses 12 may advantageously protrude, and preferably symmetrically, from the opposite surface of the frame 9, 10 such that this is particularly visible in Figures 2 and 3. The holes 15 can thus be advantageously elongated so as to accommodate screws 14 of greater length.

Alternatively, whether the support 8 and the window 5 and the casing 2 are provided or not relative positioning means, it may be possible to replace the (s) said means (s) for fixing by an adhesive, for example of the type epoxy, which could for example be coated the primary inner face 9B, secondary inner face 10B, peripheral edges 6 of the window 5 and inner edges 4 of the casing 2. However, the solution envisaged above of a fixing means screw type (or even clips type), is more advantageous in the sense that it allows on the one hand to control and regulate more finely and more easily the compressive force exerted by the inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 on the window 5 and the envelope 6, and therefore to control the level of tightness, and secondly to avoid any release of compound from the glue used in the environment outside the helmet and in space internal of this last r.

To further improve the fluid and gas tightness between the inside of said helmet 1 and the external environment to the latter, at the level of the connection between the pane 5 and the casing 2, the support 8 further comprises: preferably, at least one first seal 17A sealing positioned between said inner frame 9 and outer frame 10. This first seal 17A can thus be, for example positioned between the window 5 and one of the inner frame 9 and outer frame 10, or between the casing 2 and one of the inner frame 9 and outer frame 10. It has however been observed that a better level of sealing can be achieved when said support 8 preferably comprises a first 17A and a second 17B joints sealing joints assembled so that the first seal 17A is positioned between one of the inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 and the window 5, while the second seal 17B is positioned between one of the inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 and the casing 2.

Among the various possible combinations of position of said first 17A and a second 17B seals, the preferred embodiment illustrated in particular in FIG. 3 advantageously retains a relative arrangement in which said first seal 17A is positioned between the inner frame 9 and the casing 2 and the outer frame 10 is positioned in direct contact with said casing 2, so as to form a first stack of which the window is absent. Thus, the first seal 17A is advantageously intended to contribute only to ensure a tight connection between the inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 and the casing 2. Preferably, said second seal 17B is advantageously positioned between the frame 9 and the window and the outer frame 10 is then positioned in direct contact with said envelope 2, which is itself positioned in direct contact with the window 5, so as to form a second stack. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide a variant in which the second seal 17B is positioned between the inner frame 9 and the window 5 and wherein the outer frame 10 is positioned in direct contact with the window 5, so as to form a second stacking of which the envelope 2 would be absent. In this case, the second seal 17B is advantageously intended to contribute only to ensure a tight connection between the inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 and the window 5. If this alternative configuration is not without interest, in particular in terms of the level of tightness thus attainable between the inside of the helmet 1 and the environment outside it, the positioning variant of the second seal 17B previously described advantageously offers a better compromise in terms of resistance of the helmet 1 to the tearing of the casing 2 of the support 8.

The first seal 17A, and preferably the first 17A and 17B joined, is advantageously in the form of a rod (for example elastomer), that is to say a rod or a flexible wire , of circular section, whose ends are butted. Easily available in coil and relatively inexpensive, such a rod, when used in particular to form both said first 17A and second 17B joints, advantageously avoids the implementation of conventional moldings, wide and flat , more expensive in terms of material, manufacturing and implementation. To facilitate the positioning of this or these seals 17A, 17B between the inner frame 9 and outer frame 10, one and / or the other of said primary inner face 9B and secondary inner face 10 may advantageously be provided with one or two peripheral grooves 18A, 18B in which the rods forming the seals 17A, 17B are partially housed. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, and in particular in FIG. 3, the primary internal face 9B of the inner frame 9 is thus advantageously provided with two peripheral grooves 18A, 18B in which the rods respectively forming the first 17A and the second 17B joints to lodge partially. In addition, small protuberances 19A, 19B of material may advantageously be provided at one or other of the side walls of said groove or grooves 18A, 18B, preferably alternatively at the level of one and the the other of these side walls, so as to maintain the rod in position in the groove18A, 18B by slight local compression of said rod. The placement of seals 17A, 17B is thus facilitated.

Preferably, said inner frame 9 and outer frame 10, and in particular their respective primary inner faces 9A and 10B, are configured and shaped so that the peripheral edges 6 and inner edges 4 of said pane 5 and vision aperture 3 of the envelope 2 are superimposed so as to form between them a substantially flat contact zone. This provides an excellent distribution of clamping forces exerted by the inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 on the window 5 and the casing 2 between the frame 9, 10, which contributes to improving the robustness and reliability of the helmet 2. To do this, the respective surfaces of said primary internal faces 9A and 10B secondary can, for example and as shown in the figures, be provided substantially planar and coplanar.

In the particular case where, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the first 17A and second 17B joints are arranged so as to form first and second stacks of which one of the glass pane 5 or envelope 2 is missing, one of said primary inner face 9B (FIG. 3) and secondary inner face 10B is then preferably provided with a recess zone intended to receive said window 5 by its peripheral edges 6, this recess zone being designed so that its step height is conjugated , and more precisely is substantially equal to the thickness of said window 5, so that the outer surface 7A of said window 5 comes flush with the surface of the primary inner face 9B of said inner frame 9 (Figure 3) or the secondary internal face 10B of said outer frame 10. The implementation of such a recess zone, besides it contributes to easy centering of the window 5 relative to the inner frame 9, p Advantageously, it is possible to compensate for the local absence of one of the windows 5 or envelope 2, especially when the latter have relatively different respective thicknesses, and thus to maintain a substantially flat contact zone between the edges 4,5 of the opening 3 of the envelope 2 and the window 5,

Finally, according to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, said first 17A and second 17B seals are preferably respectively arranged on either side of a fictitious line formed by the alignment of said pads or bosses 12 which preferably form said first positioning means and receiving means for said fixing means. Thus, the clamping force exerted by the inner frame 9 and outer frame 10 is distributed more evenly over each of the seals 17A, 17B. The invention also relates, as such, to a method of manufacturing a helmet 1 of personal protective suit, which helmet 1 is advantageously in accordance with the foregoing description. This process then comprises at least the following steps: - a step of supplying or manufacturing said window 5 and casing 2 and said fixing support 8 of the window 5 relative to the casing 2, - a step of fixing the window 5 relative to the casing 2 in which the peripheral edges 6 of said window 5 and the interior edges 4 of said viewing aperture 3 are encircled and kept in close contact between the inner frame 9 and the outer frame 10 so as to ensure liquid and gas tight connection between the window 5 and the casing 2.

The window 5 may, for example, be cut to the desired dimensions in a sheet of PMMA and the envelope 2 be shaped from a piece of polyethylene. The inner frame 9 and the outer frame 10 of the support can be advantageously manufactured by molding / injection of a non-halogenated plastic material. Other known manufacturing methods (cutting, welding, folding, gluing, etc.) of these window 5, envelope 2 and frame 9, 10, can obviously be considered according to the shapes and materials retained.

Preferably, the step of fixing the window 5 relative to the envelope 2 comprises a sub-step during which the window 5 and / or the envelope 2, after being assembled (s) relative to one said inner frame 9 and outer frame 10, is held in position by suction, so as to then facilitate the assembly of the other components of the support 8 relative to the window 5 and / or the casing 2. Such a suction can, for example, for example, be implemented using a suction port connected to a vacuum generating means, or using a suction system, which would be pressed in contact with the surface external 7A or internal 7B of the window 5, and / or with the surface of the envelope 2,

Preferably, said fixing step takes place chronologically as follows, with reference to the preferred embodiment of the helmet 1 of the invention illustrated in the figures, and in particular to FIGS. 4 to 8, FIGS. 4 to 8. The description which follows does not constitute provided that by way of example, it is clear that certain sub-steps which will be presented below may possibly be modified, inverted or even omitted, depending on the design choices made, without departing from the scope of the invention.

In a first substep (FIG. 4), after having cut elastomer rod in suitable lengths, the first 17A and second 17B seals thus formed are formed in the peripheral grooves 18A, 18B, respectively. surface of the primary inner face 9B of the inner frame 9. Starting from a first end of the rod, it is wedge and regularly block it in the groove 18A, 18B corresponding with the excrescences 19A, 19B, and up to 'to come abut the second end of the ring at the first end.

In a second substep (FIGS. 5 and 6), the window 5 is then placed in place and centered relative to the inner frame 9, so that its inner surface 7B comes to rest at the peripheral edges 5 in contact with each other. plan on the surface of the recess zone formed on the surface of the primary inner face 9B, while covering the first seal 17A (but not the second seal 17B). In order to guide the precise positioning of the window 5, the bosses 12 of the inner frame 9 are made to cooperate with the openings 13A passing through the window 5. Once the window 5 has been assembled to the inner frame 9, it is maintained in position by means of a suitable suction device, such as for example a suction mouth, connected to a vacuum generation means and pressed in close contact with the inner surface 7B of the window 5.

Then, in a third substep (FIG. 7), the casing 2 is assembled with respect to the pane 5 and to the inner frame 9 by centering the viewing opening 3 relative to the inner frame 9 by cooperation of the bosses 12 of said frame internal 9 with 13B through openings formed at the inner edges of said viewing aperture 3. The surface of the casing 2 is thus resting in plane contact on the outer surface 7A of the pane 5 (at the level of the recess zone of the inner frame 9) and on the surface of the primary inner face 9B of the inner frame 9, covering the second seal 17B seal.

In a fourth sub-step (FIG. 8), the outer frame 10 is then assembled relative to the casing 2, to the pane 5 and to the inner frame 9, by placing the surface of the secondary internal face 10B of the outer frame 10 facing and against the surface of the casing 2. The surface of the secondary inner face 10B thus rest in plane contact on the surface of the casing 2. The precise positioning and centering of the outer frame 10 relative to the inner frame 9 is facilitated by cooperating the bosses 12 of the latter with the corresponding wells formed in the surface of the secondary internal face 10B of the outer frame 10.

Finally (FIG. 8), self-tapping screws 14 are introduced (simultaneously or one after the other) through the openings 16 in the secondary external face 10A from which the wells (not shown) of the secondary internal face open out. 10B, and these screws 14 are screwed in to anchor them in the holes 15 of the corresponding bosses 12. The level of screwing of the screws 14 is advantageously finely controlled (for example by means of a dynamometric means) so as to guarantee a compression force between the inner frame 9 and the outer frame 10 which is as homogeneous as possible in any point of the support 8. Thus, at the level of the connection between the window 5 and the casing 2, the assembly highlighted in Figure 3.

Finally, the invention also relates, as such, to an individual protection suit (not shown) comprising a helmet 1 as described above. As previously introduced, the helmet 1 may form an integral part of said protective suit or otherwise, constitute a separate part thereof, separated from the rest of said combination, and to which it can be attached, preferably in a sealed manner and using known fastening means at the neck or bust of the user. However, so as to ensure a perfect seal of the assembly formed by the suit and the helmet 1, these suit and helmet 1 advantageously form a single piece and, more specifically, the envelope 2 of said helmet 1 forms with said combination a piece in one piece. In other words, the envelope 2 of the helmet 1 extends beyond the latter, so as to form said combination. In addition, said combination of the invention may advantageously be provided with all or part of the technical characteristics, quality and advantages introduced above in connection with the description of the envelope 2 of the helmet 1. In particular, preferably, said combination is like the casing 2 of the helmet 1 of flexible and non-halogenated plastic material and, more preferably still, of polyethylene (for example of low density polyethylene).

Ultimately, the helmet 1 of the invention has, by construction, high reliability, great strength and excellent tightness to liquids and gases, while allowing to overcome the problem of the materials used. Of easy and inexpensive design and manufacture, it is further advantageously easy and not dangerous, as such, to destroy by incineration after use. Relatively light, it is easy to set up and wear by the user is comfortable. Not requiring the use of complex technical means, the manufacturing process of this helmet 1 is for its part particularly effective, simple and quick to implement, while remaining very economical. It is therefore possible, thanks to the invention, to obtain a helmet 1 and a protective suit comprising such a helmet that perfectly meet the needs and level requirements of the industry, particularly for applications in the nuclear field, while being presenting a very favorable economic balance sheet.

Claims (22)

A helmet (1) for an individual protective suit comprising: an envelope (2) for covering a user's head and pierced with a viewing aperture (3) delimited by inner edges (4) and a window ( 5) of protection attached to said casing (2) and delimited by peripheral edges (6), said helmet further comprising a support (8) for fixing said pane (5) relative to said casing (2), said support ( 8) comprising an inner frame (9) and an outer frame (10) designed and configured to grip and maintain in close contact the peripheral edges (6) of said pane (5) and the inner edges (4) of said opening of vision (3) of the envelope (2) so as to provide a tight connection to liquids and gases between the window (5) and the envelope (2), and being characterized in that said support (8) comprises a first (17A) and a second (17B) assembled seals of my the first seal (17A) is positioned between one of the inner frame (9) and outer frame (10) and the pane (5), while the second seal (17B) is positioned between one of the inner frame (9) and outer frame (10) and the casing (2). 2- helmet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said support (8) and said window (5) are respectively provided with at least a first and at least a second complementary relative positioning means designed to allow , by cooperation of these first and second complementary positioning means, the positioning of said pane (5) relative to said support (6) in a first predetermined position. 3- helmet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said support (8) and said casing (2) are respectively provided with said at least a first and at least a third complementary relative positioning means designed to allow, by cooperating these first and third complementary positioning means, positioning said envelope (2) relative to said support (8) in a second predetermined position. 4- Helmet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first positioning means cooperates by complementarity of the male / female type with said second and third positioning means 5- helmet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said inner frame (9) and outer frame (10) respectively have on the one hand, a primary outer face (9A) intended to come opposite the user and a secondary outer face (10A) and, on the other hand, a primary inner face (9B) and a secondary inner face (10B) opposite, and in that: one of said primary internal face (9B) and secondary internal face (10B) is provided with a projecting stud or protrusion (12) forming said first positioning means, whereas said pane (5) and envelope (2) are respectively provided with an orifice (13A, 13B) passageway forming said second and third positioning means which cooperates with said first positioning means to ensure the positioning of the pane (5) and casing (2) relative to said support (8) respectively in said first and second predetermined positions. 6. Helmet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the other of said primary inner face (9B) and secondary inner face (10B) is provided with a well forming a fourth positioning means adapted to cooperate in complementarity with said first positioning means. 7- helmet (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said first and second seal (17A, 17B) are respectively arranged on either side of a fictitious line formed by the alignment of said studs or bosses (12). 8- helmet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first seal (17A) is positioned between the inner frame (9) and the casing (2) and in that the outer frame (10) ) is positioned in direct contact with said envelope (2), so as to form a first stack whose window (5) is absent. 9- Helmet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second seal (17B) is positioned between the inner frame (9) and the pane (5) and in that the outer frame (10) is positioned in direct contact with said envelope (2), which is itself positioned in direct contact with the window (5), so as to form a second stack. 10- helmet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said inner frame (9) and outer frame (10) are configured and shaped so that the peripheral edges (6) and the inner edges of said pane (5). ) and vision opening (3) of the envelope (2) are superimposed so as to form between them a substantially flat contact zone. 11- helmet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said inner frame (9) and outer frame (10) respectively have, on the one hand, a primary outer face (9A) intended to come opposite the user and a secondary outer face (10A) and, on the other hand, a primary inner face (9B) and a secondary inner face (10B) opposite, and in that one of said primary internal face (9B) and secondary internal face (10B) is provided with a recess zone intended to receive said pane (5) by its peripheral edges (6), said recess zone being designed so that its recess height is conjugate to the thickness of said pane (5). ) so that the surface of said window (5) comes flush with the surface of the primary inner face (9B) of said inner frame (9) or the secondary inner face (10B) of said outer frame (10). 12- helmet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one means for fixing said inner frame (9) and outer (10) between them. 13- helmet (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that said at least one first, second and third positioning means respectively form at least one receiving means of said fixing means, which is for example a self-tapping screw (14). 14. Helmet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said window (5) has a clean rigidity. 15- Helmet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said window (5) is made of transparent plastic material. 16. Helmet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said window (5) is of non-halogenated material, preferably poly (methyl methacrylate). 17. Helmet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said casing (2) is of flexible plastic material. 18- The helmet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said casing (2) is of non-halogenated material, preferably polyethylene. 19- Helmet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said inner frame (9) and outer frame (10) has a clean rigidity. 20- Helmet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, said inner frame (9) having a primary outer face (9A) intended to come opposite the user and an opposite inner face (9B), said frame internal (9) is provided with at least one fin (11 A, 11 B) reinforcing protruding from the primary outer face (9A) of said inner frame (9). 21- individual protective suit, characterized in that it comprises a helmet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 20. 22- individual protective combination according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the envelope (2) of said helmet (1) forms with said combination a piece in one piece.