WO2025237847A1 - Protective helmet for a sports activity - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a helmet comprising a shell (1) in which a liner (1b) for receiving the skull of a wearer is arranged, wherein the liner has a front opening fitted with an accessory (6) suitable for covering the face, wherein the helmet comprises an articulation mechanism for the accessory configured to allow the accessory to move between a lowered position covering the face and a raised position uncovering the face, wherein the mechanism comprises two lateral modules (9) each formed by the assembly of a casing (10) secured to one side of the opening and a guide support (11), together forming a housing in which a respective lateral arm (12) of the accessory (6) is articulated, and wherein the guide supports (11) and the casings (10) comprise reversible reciprocal engagement means arranged to allow removal of the accessory.

Description

Title: Protective helmet for sports activities

The invention relates to a protective helmet for sports activities.

It applies particularly to helmets for winter sports, especially sliding sports such as skiing or snowboarding. It can also apply to other types of sports or activities where protection against head injuries is necessary, such activities including city or road cycling, for example gravel or cyclocross cycling, rollerblading, skateboarding, horse riding, mountaineering or scootering.

Such helmets generally include a shell in which is placed a skullcap to receive the wearer's skull, said skullcap having a front opening for the wearer's face.

The opening can be fitted with a suitable accessory to cover at least part of the wearer's face, said accessory being in particular a mask or visor intended to protect at least the wearer's eyes against sunlight and/or inclement weather, particularly during the practice of sporting activity.

Such helmets generally include an accessory articulation mechanism that is configured to allow manual movement between a lowered position covering the wearer's face, and a raised position in which said accessory at least partially covers the shell to uncover said face.

Document CA-2 767 266 describes a helmet whose visor articulation mechanism comprises two guide modules, each formed on one side of the front opening, and two adapters, each formed on one end of the visor and arranged to be articulated on one guide module, to allow movement of the visor between its lowered and raised positions by translation and relative rotation of said adapters with respect to the corresponding module.

The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing a helmet arranged to allow a removable association of the accessory on the liner, without requiring the use of tools, in order to allow the wearer to easily use, for example, several different accessories or replace said accessory in case of damage.

To this end, the invention proposes a protective helmet for sports activity comprising a shell in which is arranged a liner for receiving the skull of a wearer, said liner having a front opening for the face of said wearer, said opening being equipped with an accessory adapted to cover at least a part of said face, said helmet comprising an articulation mechanism for said accessory which is configured to allow its movement between a lowered position covering the face and a raised position in which said accessory covers at least partially the shell to uncover the face, said articulation mechanism comprising two lateral modules each formed by the assembly of a housing attached to one side of the front opening and a guide support forming between them a housing in which respectively a lateral arm of the accessory is articulated, the guide supports and the housings comprising reversible reciprocal association means which are arranged to allow the removal of said accessory.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description, made with reference to the attached figures, in which: [Fig.1] schematically represents, in exploded perspective seen from the front, a protective helmet according to an embodiment of the invention;

[Fig.2] schematically represents, in partial lateral view, a lateral module of the articulation mechanism of the helmet of figure 1;

[Fig. 3a] and [Fig.3b] each represent, along one of its lateral faces respectively, the guide support of the module of figure 2;

[Fig.4a]

[Fig.4b] respectively represent the cover and the receiver forming the housing of the module in the previous figures, in perspective seen from inside the housing of said housing;

[Fig.5] shows a side view of a lateral arm of the accessory in Figure 1;

[Fig.6] schematically represents, in lateral view, the assembly of the accessory on a lateral module as shown in the previous figures, with the accessory in the lowered position.

[Fig.6a] being an enlargement of figure 6 centered on said lateral module;

[Fig.7] schematically represents, in partial lateral view, the assembly of figure 6a with the accessory in the raised position;

[Fig.8] schematically represents, in partial side view, the helmet of the previous figures with the accessory in the raised position.

In relation to these figures, a protective helmet for sports activity is described below.

The helmet is particularly suitable for winter sports, especially snow sports such as skiing or snowboarding. The helmet can also be used for other types of sports or activities where protection against head injuries is necessary, such as city or road cycling (e.g., gravel or cyclocross), rollerblading, skateboarding, horseback riding, mountaineering, or scootering.

The helmet comprises a shell 1 in which is placed a liner 1a for receiving the wearer's skull, said liner having a front opening 2 for the wearer's face. In particular, the shell 1 forms an outer envelope having an inner surface against which the liner 1b is attached, said liner being able to be made of EPS (Expanded Polystyrene). Shell 1 is made of a rigid material that is suitable for providing good impact resistance, while remaining light enough to ensure wearer comfort. For this purpose, shell 1 can be made by molding a thermoplastic polymer material, in particular acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), possibly reinforced with composite fibers and/or carbon.

The liner 1 b may be at least partially covered with an inner lining 3, in particular made of elastomer foam and may be wrapped with a textile, to ensure the comfort of the wearer when putting on the helmet.

In relation to figures 1 and 8, the front opening 2 is delimited by a substantially horizontal upper edge 2a intended to come into contact with the front of the wearer, in particular above the eyebrows, and two lower edges which extend substantially vertically on either side of said upper edge to form respectively a side 2b of said front opening.

To improve its hold on the wearer's skull, the cap 1 b can also be equipped with an internal frame 5, notably made of plastic, which is arranged to be positioned at the back of the wearer's neck, and is equipped with reversible tightening means around the neck, for example in the form of a rotating wheel.

Opening 2 is equipped with an accessory 6 which is adapted to cover at least part of the wearer’s face when wearing the helmet.

In the embodiment shown, accessory 6 is an optical protective mask, the dimensions of which are arranged to allow it to cover the upper part of the wearer's face. To this end, the mask includes a lower edge 6a which is provided with a notch 7 intended to rest against the wearer's nose when the mask is in the lowered position. In an alternative design not shown, accessory 6 may take the form of a visor designed to cover the wearer's entire face, ensuring optimal protection against sunlight and/or inclement weather, particularly against cold and/or wind. In other variations, the accessory may be a visor with a cap or a chin guard.

The optical mask 6 includes a wall 8 made of a transparent material, through which vision is achieved when the wearer positions the said mask in front of his face.

To achieve this, the wall 8 can be made from a transparent thermoplastic polymer material, in order to limit the risk of breakage in the event of impact against the helmet and/or the mask 6, and has optical properties arranged to adapt to the ambient light, in order to guarantee the wearer protection of his eyes against the harmful effects of direct solar radiation and/or radiation reflected by the snow.

As is known, the mask 6 may include a seal made of elastomeric material, for example foam, which is attached to the periphery of the inner face of the optical wall 8, so as to come into contact with the wearer's face when he puts on the mask 6. Thus, the seal makes it possible to isolate the wearer's eyes from the external environment, and therefore to better protect them from the weather, in particular from wind and/or cold.

The helmet includes an articulation mechanism for accessory 6 which is configured to allow its movement, including manual movement, between a lowered position covering the face and a raised position in which said accessory covers at least partially the front of the shell 1 to uncover said face.

In relation to the figures, the articulation mechanism comprises two lateral modules 9, each formed by the assembly of a housing 10 attached to one side 2b of the front opening 2 - by integrating it into the crown 1b and/or into the shell 1 - and a support 11 for guiding the movement of the accessory 6 between its two positions, forming between them a housing in which respectively a lateral arm 12 of the accessory is articulated.

In particular, the guide supports 11 and the housings 10 include reversible reciprocal association means 13, 14 which are arranged to permit manual or automatic removal of the accessory 6, in particular without requiring the use of tools.

This arrangement allows the use of several different accessories with the same helmet, thus offering consumers a range of modular helmets.

In particular, the skull protection helmet and accessories of different types can be marketed separately, allowing a consumer to choose a helmet according to its technical and/or aesthetic characteristics (colors, patterns, materials...), and to choose in parallel one or more accessory(ies) according to their preferences in terms of type of equipment (mask, visor...) and/or aesthetics (color, pattern, shape...).

This arrangement also allows a consumer to replace a defective accessory 6 and/or helmet, in particular in the event of breakage of the optical wall and/or deterioration of the peripheral eye protection seal (for accessory 6), or in the event of deterioration of the helmet and/or its equipment (inner lining 3, means 5 of tightening around the skull...), without having to replace the entire helmet.

In the embodiment shown, the housings 10 are each formed by assembling a receiver 10a, which is fixed in the corresponding side 2b of the opening 2, and a cover 10b for closing the housing.

Advantageously, the receiver 10a is molded into the side 2b of the opening 2, and for this purpose includes an upper tab 15 which has a structure The honeycomb structure is adapted to allow anchoring in the material constituting the liner 1b, particularly during the molding of the latter. Furthermore, the cover 10b can be overmolded onto the receiver 10a.

As shown in Figures 4a and 4b, the receiver 10a includes a main portion 16 made of material with the anchoring tab 15 and intended to form one half of the receiving housing of the arm 12. Similarly, the cover 10b has a peripheral edge of geometry complementary to that of the main portion 16 to form the housing 10.

The receivers 10a and the covers 10b each have a front recess 19 arranged to form together, when the housing 10 is assembled, a front slot 20 for access to the housing, in which an arm 12 attached to the accessory 6b is articulated.

As shown in Figures 5, 6a, 6b and 8, each of the arms 12 has an association base 21 on one side of the accessory 6. Each arm 12 is formed in one piece with its base 21, in particular by molding of a thermoplastic material, said base comprising two orifices 22 to allow its attachment 23 to a structure provided for this purpose on one side of the accessory 6.

The arms 12 are each equipped with a bearing 24 which is arranged on a track 25 to guide its movement when the accessory 6 is articulated, said track being carried by the corresponding support 11.

In relation to the figures, this track 25 is formed in a groove 26 of the corresponding support 11, said groove being delimited between a rear stop 26a of the bearing 24 in the lowered position of the accessory 6 and a front stop 26b of the bearing 24 in the raised position of said accessory.

In particular, the groove 26 is straight to guide the translation of the bearing 24 between the stops 26a, 26b, said stops respectively defining a rear position to bring the accessory 6 closer to the cap 1b in its lowered position on the wearer's face, and a forward position of the said accessory of the said cap, to allow its rotation towards the raised position.

Advantageously, the guide of the bearing 24 in the groove 26 is elastically returned to the covering position, so as to ensure that the accessory 6 is held in view of the wearer's face in its lowered position.

To do this, as shown in Figures 6, 6a and 7, each module 9 includes an elastic link 27 which is arranged between the bearing 24 and the support 11 to elastically pull said bearing back towards the rear stop 26a, and thus help to keep the accessory 6 in the face covering position.

In particular, each support 11 includes a lug 28 which is formed in the longitudinal extension of the rear stop 26a, the elastic link 27 having an annular geometry with a rear portion wrapped around said lug and a front portion wrapped around the bearing 24.

Advantageously, the guide supports 11 each include a guide path for the corresponding arm 12 following a reversible kinematic comprising a translation of the accessory 6 to move away, followed by a rotation for raising it over the hull 1.

To do this, in relation to the figures, the arms 12 are each equipped with a second bearing 29 which is arranged on a second track 30 to guide its movement when the accessory 6 is articulated, said second track being carried by the corresponding support 11.

In particular, in the embodiment shown, each support 11 presents:

- a first straight guide track 25 as described above, which is formed in a groove 26 provided in the upper part of said support to guide the translation of the first bearing 24 between the rear stops 26a and the front stops 26b, in order to guide the translational movement of the accessory 6 relative to the cap 1b; and

- a second track 30 forming the guide path of the arm 12 according to the movement kinematics described above, and on which the second bearing 29 slides during said movement, said second track comprising for this purpose a rear straight portion 30a, corresponding to the translation of the spacing of the accessory 6, which is extended forward by a curved portion 30b for guiding the rotation for raising said accessory over the hull 1.

In an alternative not shown, each support 11 may include a single track to guide the corresponding arm 12 according to the consecutive translation and rotation kinematics described above to allow the accessory 6 to move from its lowered position to its raised position, said single guide track comprising a straight rear portion and a curved front portion, similarly to the second track 30 shown in the figures.

Each guide support 11 has a lower leg 31 which is connected to it at its rear end by a substantially vertical connection 32, the straight portion 30a of the second track 30 being delimited below by said lower leg.

In particular, the straight portion 30a is delimited by a rear stop 33a of the second bearing 29 in the lowered position of the accessory 6, which is formed by a first semi-circular geometry imprint made on the connection 32 of the leg 31.

Similarly, the curved portion 30b is delimited by an upper stop 33b of the second bearing 29 in the raised position of the accessory 6, which is formed by a second semi-circular geometry imprint made in the upper part of a front edge of the corresponding support 11. Advantageously, the curved portion 30b, and more particularly the upper stop 33b, is arranged longitudinally in front of the first guide track 25.

Thus, when the accessory 6 is in the raised position, the elastic return exerted by the link 27 on the first bearing 24 allows the second bearing 29 to be pressed against the upper stop 33b, which strengthens the holding of said accessory in said raised position, and in particular limits the risk of untimely rotation of said accessory towards its lowered position.

In relation to figure 5, each arm 12 has an angled geometry, presenting a first platform 24 formed on its distal end opposite the base 21 of association with the accessory 6, as well as a second platform 29 formed in the longitudinal extension of said first platform.

Furthermore, the straight portion 30a of the second runway 30 extends parallel under the first runway 25, and the rear stop 33a of said straight portion is offset forward relative to the rear stop 26a of said first runway.

Thus, the particular geometries of the tracks 25, 30 and of the arms 12 allow the bearings 24, 29 of an arm 12 to be arranged in an inclined manner according to its elbow in the overlapping position (figures 1, 6, 6a), and substantially aligned in the raised position (figure 7).

As shown in Figure 6, when the wearer wishes to raise the mask 6 from its lowered position, they pull on the mask to move it forward, causing the bearings 24, 29 to slide from their respective rear stops 26a, 30a along a straight path guided by the corresponding section of track 25, 30a, as indicated by arrows T1, T2. In particular, this forward movement is interrupted when the first bearing 24 comes to rest against its front stop 26b. Next, the carrier rotates the accessory 6 upwards to bring it in relation to the hull 1, this rotation being guided both by the rotation of the first bearing 24 against its front stop 26b, which has a semi-circular geometry designed for this purpose, and by the sliding of the second bearing 29 along the curved portion 30b, following the arrow R1 indicated on figure 6.

At the end of the rotation, the second bearing 29 comes to rest against the upper stop 33b, which delimits the raised position of the accessory 6, as shown in Figure 7. In particular, when the carrier releases the accessory 6, the elastic return exerted by the link 27 on the first bearing 24 forces the second bearing 29 backwards, which ensures its retention against the upper stop 33b, and thus the retention of said accessory in the raised position against the hull 1.

Similarly, when the wearer wishes to lower the accessory 6 in relation to his face, he grasps said accessory and pulls it slightly downwards to disengage the second bearing 29 from the upper stop 33b, then rotates said accessory downwards, this movement being guided by sliding said second bearing along the curved portion 30b, as indicated by arrow R2 in figure 7, as well as by the rotation of the first bearing 24 against its front stop 26b, as described previously in relation to the passage of the accessory into the raised position.

Next, the carrier accompanies the translation of the accessory 6 towards its covering position, this movement being constrained by the elastic return exerted by the link 27 on the first bearing 24, and guided by the respective sliding of the bearings 24, 29 on their corresponding straight track 26, 30a, as indicated by the arrows T4 and T5 in figure 7. At the end of this movement, the bearings 24, 29 come to rest against their respective rear stop 26a, 30a, which together mark the lowered position of the accessory 6.

Using a particularly intuitive gesture, the guide supports 11 and the housings 10 include means 13, 14 for snap-fit association of their assembly, by relative translation of each support 11 in the front slot 20 of the corresponding housing 10.

To do this, each lower leg 31 is provided with a lug 13 and is able to be elastically deformed during the assembly of the support 11 in the corresponding housing 10, up to an assembled position in which said lug is inserted, by elastic return of said leg, into a corresponding hole 14 formed in said housing.

In particular, as shown in Figures 2, 4, 6, 6a and 7, each housing 10 includes a hole 14 formed in the lower part of its cover 10b, specifically near the front recess 19 of said cover. Similarly, the snap-in lug 13 is formed near the front end of the tab 31, in order to allow the reciprocal association means 13, 14 to cooperate at the end of the assembly stroke of the support 11 in the corresponding housing 10.

Each lower leg 31 further has a free front end 34 which is arranged to be positioned protruding from the housing 10 when the accessory 6 is assembled to the cap 1 b, said end being provided with a paddle 35 for manually lifting said leg to allow the release of the lug 13, for the purpose of removing the accessory 6 by translating the support 11 out of the housing 10.

Thus, the user can easily assemble and disassemble accessory 6 without using tools, and especially without having to assemble or disassemble parts, which helps limit the risk of losing such parts.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Protective helmet for sporting activity comprising a shell (1) in which is disposed a liner (1b) for receiving the skull of a wearer, said liner having a front opening (2) for the face of said wearer, said opening being equipped with an accessory (6) adapted to cover at least part of said face, said helmet comprising an articulation mechanism for said accessory which is configured to allow its movement between a lowered position covering the face and a raised position in which said accessory covers at least partially the shell (1) to uncover the face, said articulation mechanism comprising two lateral modules (9) each formed by the assembly of a housing (10) integral with one side (2b) of the front opening (2) and a guide support (11) forming between them a recess in which respectively a lateral arm (12) of the accessory (6) is articulated, said helmet being characterized in that the guide supports (11) and the housings (10) comprise means (13, 14) reversible reciprocal associations which are arranged to permit the removal of said accessory. 2. Protective helmet according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide supports (11) and the housings (10) comprise means (13, 14) for snap-fitting their assembly by relative translation. 3. Protective helmet according to claim 2, characterized in that the guide supports (11) comprise a lower tab (31) provided with a lug (13), said tab being able to be elastically deformed during its assembly in the corresponding housing (10), up to an assembled position in which said lug is inserted by elastic return into a corresponding hole (14) formed in said housing. 4. Protective helmet according to claim 3, characterized in that the lower tab (31) has a free end (34) projecting from the housing (10), said end being provided with a paddle (35) for manually lifting said tab for the purpose of removing the accessory (6). 5. Protective helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the housings (10) are formed by assembling a receiver (10a) fixed in the side (2b) of the front opening (2) and a cover (10b) for closing the housing. 6. Protective helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the guide supports (11) comprise a guide path for the corresponding arm (12) following a reversible kinematic comprising a translation of the accessory (6) followed by a rotation for its raising towards the shell (1). 7. Protective helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the arms (12) are each equipped with a bearing (24, 29) which is disposed on a track (25, 30) for guiding its movement when the accessory (6) is articulated, said track being carried by the corresponding support (11). 8. Protective helmet according to claim 7, characterized in that a guide track (25) is formed in a groove (26) of the corresponding support (11), said groove being delimited between a rear stop (26a) of the bearing (24) in the lowered position of the accessory (6) and a front stop (26b) of the bearing (24) in the raised position. 9. Protective helmet according to claim 8, characterized in that the bearing guide (24) in the groove (26) is elastically returned to the covering position. 10. Protective helmet according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the arms (12) are each equipped with a second bearing (29, 24) which is disposed on a second track (30) for guiding its movement when the accessory (6) is articulated, said track being carried by the corresponding support (11). 11. Protective helmet according to claim 10, characterized in that the supports (11) have a first straight track (25) for guiding a translation of the spacing of the accessory (6) and a second guide track (30) comprising a corresponding straight portion (30a) which is extended by a curved portion (30b) for guiding a rotation for raising said accessory towards the shell (1). 12. Protective helmet according to claim 11, characterized in that the straight portion (30a) of the second guide track (30) is delimited by a rear stop (33a) of the second bearing (29) in the lowered position of the accessory (6), the curved portion (30b) being delimited by an upper stop (33b) of the bearing (29) in the raised position. 13. Protective helmet according to any one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the arm (12) is bent by having a first bearing (24) on its distal end and a second bearing (29) in the longitudinal extension of said first bearing, the bearings (24, 29) being inclined according to the bend of the arm (12) in the covered position and substantially aligned in the raised position. 14. Protective helmet according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the curved portion (30b) is arranged longitudinally in front of the first guide track (25). 15. Protective helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the accessory (6) is an optical protective mask.