TWI923112B - Protective helmet assembly with hight adjustable system - Google Patents

Abstract

The application is directed a protective helmet assembly comprising at least one outer shell configured for surrounding at least partly a head of a user; at least one helmet suspension adapted to be coupled to the outer shell, wherein the assembly further comprises at least one link element configured to be at least indirectly connected to the outer shell and at least indirectly connected to the helmet suspension, wherein the length of the link element is adjustable and the link element comprises at least one bendable elongate connection member, wherein further a first section of the connection member is extending from at least one first attachment element to at least one second attachment element, the first attachment element comprises at least one opening through which the connection member is extending, and wherein the length of the first section is adjustable.

Description

Protective helmet components with a highly adjustable system

This invention relates to a protective helmet assembly comprising at least one shell for at least partially surrounding a user's head; at least one helmet suspension system for connection to the shell; wherein the assembly further comprises at least one connecting element configured to be at least indirectly connected to the shell and at least indirectly connected to the helmet suspension system, wherein the length of the connecting element is adjustable.

As is well known, various activities, workplace functions, and emergencies require certain safety measures and equipment. These activities, functions, and situations may include, for example, industrial or manufacturing activities, construction activities, rescue situations, and other situations where the user's head needs to be protected by a protective helmet. Therefore, protective helmets are widely used in various environments.

To ensure optimal user comfort, the prior art allows adjustment of the shell's position relative to the helmet suspension system, which is supported by and in direct contact with the user's head. This adjustment is made via height adjusters. These adjusters allow adjustment of the distance between the user's head and the shell. By adjusting this distance, the maximum area of the shell covering the user's head can be ensured, thus optimizing the helmet's coverage area. Furthermore, the helmet's balance can be optimized based on the user's head size.

For example, US Patent No. 2,964,753A discloses a height adjuster in the form of an adjustable height sweatband. Although the height adjuster has proven effective in principle, it still has some drawbacks. It cannot adjust the height in a predetermined manner and does not provide the ability to repeatedly adjust the height. However, this is crucial because emergency personnel often need to adjust their equipment under the pressure of height over time.

Furthermore, US Patent No. 11,432,609 B2 discloses a safety helmet with an adjustable comfort liner. The comfort liner is confined to the front and rear of the shell, and the helmet has a mesh strap along the upper middle portion of the comfort liner between the shell and the comfort liner. The height is adjusted by changing the length of the mesh strap. However, this height adjustment device has disadvantages: the liner deforms according to the set height, reducing user comfort, and the ends of the mesh strap extend beyond the liner and out of the shell, increasing the risk of the mesh strap getting caught on objects, which poses a significant risk to users such as firefighters. In addition, the deformation of the liner reduces the helmet's stability against the user's head, making the helmet easier to remove from the user's head.

Therefore, the industry needs an improved protective helmet assembly, including a shell and suspension system with height adjustment.

Therefore, one objective of this invention is to further optimize known protective helmet components with height adjustment devices to overcome known disadvantages in the prior art, such as those mentioned above. In particular, an improved protective helmet component is provided, having a height adjustment system capable of repeatedly adjusting the height of the shell relative to the helmet suspension system without negatively impacting the user's wearing comfort or the helmet's fixation strength to the user's head.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, this problem is solved by: a protective helmet assembly including at least one shell for at least partially surrounding a user's head; at least one helmet suspension system for connecting to the shell, wherein the assembly further includes at least one connecting element configured to be at least indirectly connected to the shell and at least indirectly connected to the helmet suspension system, wherein the length of the connecting element is adjustable, and the connecting element includes at least one flexible elongated connector, wherein a first segment of the connector extends from at least one first attachment element to at least one second attachment element, the first attachment element including at least one first opening through which the connector passes, wherein the length of the first segment is adjustable.

In one embodiment, the first attachment element is at least indirectly connected to the helmet suspension system, and the second attachment element is at least indirectly connected to the shell.

In one embodiment, the protective helmet assembly is characterized in that a first attachment element is at least indirectly connected to the shell, and a second attachment element is at least indirectly connected to the helmet suspension system.

In one embodiment, in a protective helmet assembly, a second segment of the connector extends from a first attachment element, particularly a first opening, and/or in the opposite direction to the first segment, to a first end of the connector.

In one embodiment, the second end of the connector, particularly the second end located opposite the first end of the connector, is connected to the second attachment element.

In one embodiment, the second attachment element includes at least one second opening through which the connector passes, wherein a third segment of the connector extends from the second attachment element, particularly the second opening, and/or in the opposite direction to the first segment, to the second end of the elongated member.

In the aforementioned embodiments, it is preferred that the first end is connected to at least one first adjusting element and/or the second end is connected to at least one second adjusting element, wherein the first adjusting element and/or the second adjusting element can be fixed in at least two different positions, preferably at least three different positions, more preferably at least four different positions, and/or an unlimited number of positions, wherein the length of the connector along the first segment and the second segment and/or the length of the connector along the first segment and the third segment are different in different positions.

In the aforementioned embodiment, it is preferable to move the first adjusting element from one position to another, thereby increasing the length of the first segment and decreasing the length of the second segment, or decreasing the length of the first segment and increasing the length of the second segment.

In the aforementioned embodiment, it is preferable to move the second adjusting element from one position to another, thereby increasing the length of the first segment and decreasing the length of the third segment, or decreasing the length of the first segment and increasing the length of the third segment.

In one embodiment, the connector undergoes a change of direction from the first segment to the second segment and/or from the first segment to the third segment, particularly a reversal of direction.

In one embodiment, the protective helmet assembly is characterized in that the second segment extends from the first attachment element, particularly the first opening, toward the first end, and its direction has a directional component opposite to the direction of the connector from the second end to the first attachment element.

In one embodiment, it is proposed that the third segment extends from the second attachment element, particularly the second opening, toward the second end, with a direction having a directional component opposite to the direction of the connector from the first end to the second attachment element.

Alternatively, in the protective helmet assembly, the first adjustment element may be secured relative to the shell, the first section of the connector, and/or the helmet suspension system (particularly the bridge or visor of the helmet suspension system) by at least one first securing device, and/or the second adjustment element may be secured relative to the shell, the first section of the connector, and/or the helmet suspension system (particularly the bridge or visor of the helmet suspension system) by at least one second securing device.

For the aforementioned embodiments, it is proposed that the first fixing device and/or the second fixing device include at least one locking device, at least one locking device, at least one snap-on device, at least one clamping device, at least one Velcro device, at least one insertion device, at least one sliding device, at least one interlocking device and/or at least one snap-on device.

Finally, it is recommended that the connector include at least one strap, at least one webbing, at least one belt, and/or at least one line.

Therefore, this invention is based on a surprising realization that by providing a height adjustment device independent of but functionally related to the helmet suspension system, user comfort can be optimized because the shape and configuration of the helmet suspension system, which directly contacts the user's head and defines the helmet's strength, remain unchanged and unaffected by height adjustment. In particular, the helmet suspension system can be configured and adjusted in size and shape to optimally fit the shape of the user's head, providing optimized wearing comfort that is not negatively impacted by adjusting the shell relative to the user's head height. Furthermore, movement of the shell relative to the head and/or helmet suspension system does not negatively affect the fit between the helmet and the user's head, or the strength of the helmet suspension system and the overall helmet's support for the user's head. Comfort is further enhanced by incorporating the height adjustment device and its included connecting element, which comprises an elongated connector passing through an opening in the attachment element. This allows the connector to be arranged in a manner that allows for reversal of orientation (especially reversal), keeping the connector compact and, in particular, preventing any portion of the connector from extending beyond the shell. In addition, by using attachment elements and guiding the connectors through openings, the attachment elements can be connected to the most suitable areas of the shell and helmet suspension system to balance the shell (especially at different height positions) and ensure that height adjustment is intuitive, quick and easy to use.

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the protective helmet assembly 1 of the present invention. The protective helmet assembly 1 includes a shell 3 and a helmet suspension system in the form of a hood 5. The protective helmet assembly 1 is worn by a user 7. The helmet suspension system 5 is in direct contact with the head 9 of the user 7. In particular, the hood 5 can be adjusted in different sizes and orientations to best adapt the shape of the hood 5 to the shape of the area on the head 9 on which the hood 5 rests. In this way, a shape fit is provided between the head 9 and the hood 5 to allow the protective helmet assembly 1 to be optimally secured on the head 9 of the user 7 and to increase the comfort of the user 7.

To further enhance the comfort of the user 7, the height h is adjustable. Height h refers to the distance between the top of the hood 5 and the head 9, and the distance between the inner sides of the shell 3. By adjusting the height h, the position of the shell 3 relative to the head 9 can be adjusted to optimally meet the following requirements: on the one hand, the shell 3 covers the head 9 as much as possible to provide optimal protection; on the other hand, the shell 3 avoids negatively impacting the user 7's field of vision. Furthermore, the height h setting also affects the balance of the protective helmet component 1 due to the size of the head 9; therefore, optimal balance can be achieved by adjusting the height h.

To adjust the height h, the protective helmet assembly 1 is provided with a height adjustment device 11. The height adjustment device 11 includes a connecting element 13 that connects the shell 3 and the visor 5. The connecting element 13 is connected to a first attachment element 15 included in the visor 5 and to a second attachment element 17, which in turn is connected to the shell 3. The connecting element 13 includes a flexible, elongated connecting member in the form of a strap 19. A first segment 21 of the strap 19 extends from the first attachment element 15 to the second attachment element 17.

As explained below, the length of the first segment 21 is adjustable. The height h can be changed by adjusting the length of the first segment 21.

The second segment 23 of the strap 19 extends from the first attachment element 15 to the first end 25, while the second end 27 of the strap 19 is connected to the second attachment element 17, thereby indirectly connecting to the shell 3.

The height adjustment device 11 is shown in more detail in Figure 2. The first attachment element 15 includes a first opening 29 formed in the bridge 31 of the cap 5. A strap extends from the second end 27 along its first segment 21 to the first opening 29 formed in the first attachment element 15, and then through the first opening 29 along a second segment 23 to the first end 25. The first end 25 is connected to a first adjustment element in the form of a slider 33. The slider 33 is movable along a guide rail 35. The guide rail 35 may be formed in and/or by the cap 5, preferably as a bridge of the cap 5.

The belt 19 is driven by moving slider 33. This action changes the length of the second segment 23 of the belt 19, i.e., the distance between the first end 25 and the first opening 29. This, in turn, changes the length of the first segment 21 of the belt 19, thus changing the height h. If the length of the second segment 23 increases, the length of the first segment 21 decreases, causing the height h to increase. Conversely, if the length of the second segment 23 decreases, the length of the first segment 21 increases, causing the height h to decrease. Therefore, the height adjustment device 11 allows the height h to adapt to the corresponding size of the head 9 within a defined range.

In a preferred embodiment, the first adjusting element provides at least three stable positions in which the slider 33 is fixed during normal use of the helmet, particularly by means of its shape and/or force engagement with the guide rail 35. These positions may, for example, be indicated by clothing sizes S, M, and L. These positions ensure broad coverage for different head sizes 9. The slider 33 can be secured in different positions by a first fixing device (in the form of a locking device).

Figure 3 shows a view of the protective helmet assembly 1 from inside the helmet or from the underside of the helmet suspension system (in the form of hood 5). It can be seen that the rail 35 has an opening 37 shaped like the letter S. Because the opening 37 allows viewing the back of the slider 33 through the contrast provided by the slider (light color) and the rail 35 (dark color), the user can easily identify the position of the slider 33 relative to a specific height h.

Figures 4a to 4c show slider 33 in different positions. The left side of each figure shows a top view of slider 33 in a position similar to that in Figure 2, while the right side of each figure shows a view of slider 33 in a position similar to that in Figure 3.

In Figure 4a, slider 33 is shown in the position shown in Figures 2 and 3. This position corresponds to position S, indicated by S-shaped opening 37, which serves as a window on the back of slider 33. In this position, height h reaches its maximum value because the length of the first segment 21 is at its minimum.

In Figure 4b, slider 33 is shown in the middle position. This position corresponds to the M position indicated by the M-shaped opening 37'. In this position, the length of the second segment 23 has decreased compared to the S position shown in Figure 4a. Therefore, the length of the first segment 21 has increased compared to the S position shown in Figure 4a, thereby reducing the outer shell 3 and thus reducing the height h compared to the position shown in Figure 4a.

In Figure 4c, slider 33 is shown in an extreme opposite position compared to the position shown in Figure 4a. This position corresponds to the L position indicated by the L-shaped opening 37''. Compared to the position shown in Figure 4b, the length of the second segment 23 is further reduced, causing the length of the first segment 21 to further increase. Therefore, the outer shell 3 has been further reduced to a minimum height h.

Although the example in the above embodiment describes the first segment 21 and the second segment 23 of the strap 19 on the first end 25 side, particularly with the strap 19 passing through the first opening 29 of the first attachment element 15, the second attachment element 17 may also provide a second opening through which the strap 19 passes. In this way, a third segment of the strap is formed between the second opening and the second end 27. The length of the first segment 21 can also be changed by altering the length of the third segment, thereby adjusting the height h via a second adjustment element connected to the second end. Such a second opening and second adjustment element may be provided in addition to or as an alternative to the first adjustment element described above.

Furthermore, although the protective helmet assembly is described as having three stable positions with slider 33, it may also have only two or more stable positions. Slider 33 may also provide an unlimited number of stable positions, not just at incremental positions, for example by replacing the locking device with a toothless linear friction device.

The inventive features disclosed in the foregoing textual description, diagrams and scope of the application are substantially important for individual embodiments and combinations of the invention.

1: Protective helmet component; 3: Shell; 5: Hat; 7: User; 9: Head; 11: Height adjustment device; 13: Connecting element; 15: First attachment element; 17: Second attachment element; 19: Strap; 21: First section; 23: Second section; 25: First end; 27: Second end; 29: First opening; 31: Bridge connector; 33: Slider; 35: Guide rail; 37, 37’, 37’’: Opening; h: Height

Further features and advantages of the subject matter to be protected will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments. These embodiments are explained in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] is a side view of a user wearing a protective helmet assembly according to one embodiment of the invention; [Figure 2] is a view of the protective helmet assembly in Figure 1, omitting the outer shell, i.e., the helmet suspension system and the height adjustment device; [Figure 3] is a view of the protective helmet assembly in Figures 1 and 2, omitting the outer shell from the inside of the protective helmet assembly; [Figures 4a] to [Figures 4c] are views of the protective helmet assembly as shown in Figures 2 and 3 at different positions of the height adjustment device.

without.

1: Protective Helmet Components

3: Outer shell

5: Hats

7: Users

9: Head

11: Height Adjustment Device

13: Connecting Components

15: First Attachment Component

17: Second Attachment Component

19: Ribbon

21: First paragraph

23: Second paragraph

25: First End

27: Second End

h: height

Claims (15)

A protective helmet component (1) includes: at least one shell (3) for at least partially surrounding the head (9) of a user (7); at least one helmet suspension system (5) for connecting to the shell (3); and At least one connecting element (13) for at least indirectly connecting to the shell (3) and at least indirectly connecting to the helmet suspension system (5), wherein the length of the connecting element (13) is adjustable, and the connecting element (13) includes at least one flexible and elongated connector (19), wherein a first segment (21) of the connector (19) extends from at least one first attachment element (15) to at least one second attachment element (17), the first attachment element (15) including at least one first opening (29) through which the connector (19) passes, wherein the length of the first segment (21) is adjustable. The protective helmet assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the first attachment element (15) is at least indirectly connected to the helmet suspension system (5), and the second attachment element (17) is at least indirectly connected to the shell (3). The protective helmet assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the first attachment element is at least indirectly connected to the shell, and the second attachment element is at least indirectly connected to the helmet suspension system. As described in claim 1, in the protective helmet assembly, a second segment (23) of the connector (19) extends from the first attachment element (15), particularly the first opening (29) and/or in the opposite direction to the first segment (21), to a first end (25) of the connector (19). As described in claim 4, in the protective helmet assembly, a second end (27) of the connector (19), particularly on the opposite side of the first end (25) of the connector (19), is connected to the second attachment element (17). As described in claim 5, the protective helmet assembly includes a second attachment element comprising at least one second opening through which the connector passes, wherein a third segment of the connector extends from the second attachment element, particularly the second opening, and/or in the opposite direction to the first segment, to the second end of the connector. The protective helmet assembly as described in claim 6, wherein the first end (25) is connected to at least one first adjustment element (33) and/or the second end is connected to at least one second adjustment element, wherein the first adjustment element (33) and/or the second adjustment element can be fixed in at least two different positions, wherein the first segment (21) and the second segment (23) are different along the length of the connector (19) and/or the first segment and the third segment are different along the length of the connector. The protective helmet assembly as described in claim 7 may be configured such that the first adjustment element (33) can be moved from one position to another, such that the length of the first segment (21) increases and the length of the second segment (23) decreases, or the length of the first segment (21) decreases and the length of the second segment (23) increases. The protective helmet assembly as described in claim 7, wherein the second adjustment element can be moved from one position to another, such that the length of the first segment increases and the length of the third segment decreases, or the length of the first segment decreases and the length of the third segment increases. The protective helmet assembly as described in claim 7, wherein the connector (19) undergoes a change of direction from the first segment (21) to the second segment (23). The protective helmet assembly as described in claim 10, wherein the second segment (23) extends from the first attachment element (15), particularly the first opening (29), to the first end (25), and its direction has a directional component opposite to that of the connector (19) from the second end (27) to the first attachment element (15). As described in claim 10, the protective helmet assembly wherein the third segment extends from the second attachment element, particularly the second opening, to the second end, and its direction has a directional component opposite to that of the connector from the first end to the second attachment element. As described in claim 7, the protective helmet assembly wherein the first adjustment element (33) can be fixed relative to the shell (3), the first segment (21) of the connector and/or the helmet suspension system (5) by at least one first fixing device, and/or the second adjustment element can be fixed relative to the shell, the first segment of the connector and/or the helmet suspension system by at least one second fixing device. The protective helmet assembly as described in claim 13, wherein the first fixing device and/or the second fixing device includes at least one locking device, at least one fastening device, at least one buckle device, at least one clamping device, at least one Velcro device, at least one insertion device, at least one sliding device, at least one interlocking device and/or at least one snap fastener. The protective helmet assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the connector includes at least one strap (19), at least one webbing, at least one leather strap and/or at least one thread.