FOLDABLE HELMET

Abstract

Disclosed is a foldable helmet for protecting a user's head, the foldable helmet includes a main body, and two pairs of segments that are connected to the main body in a foldable manner and face each other with the main body therebetween in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, respectively, wherein the two pairs of segments are folded in different directions.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a foldable helmet.

BACKGROUND ART

The content described in this section simply provides background information about embodiments of the disclosure and does not constitute prior art.

A helmet is intended to protect a user's head from impact or friction, and is an essential protective device that must be worn for safety in industrial sites such as construction sites as well as in leisure activities such as motorcycles, bicycles, and inline skates.

In particular, as the demand for personal transportation means (personal mobility) such as electric scooters and electric wheels has recently increased and the number of safety accidents has also increased rapidly, it has become mandatory to wear a helmet as a protective device, and the necessity of wearing a helmet is becoming more important.

However, because helmets are usually bulky and have a fixed shape, they are inconvenient to carry and store, so users are reluctant to wear them, and safety accidents due to not wearing the helmet frequently occur.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Technical Problem

The disclosure provides a foldable helmet capable of safely protecting a user's head from an external impact while improving storage and portability of the helmet.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a foldable helmet for protecting a user's head, the foldable helmet includes: a main body; and two pairs of segments that are connected to the main body in a foldable manner and face each other with the main body therebetween in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, respectively, wherein the two pairs of segments are folded in different directions.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the two pairs of segments may include first and second segment pairs, wherein the first segment pair may include first and second segments each covering at least a portion of one of a frontal part and a back part of a user's head, and the second segment pair may include third and fourth segments each covering at least a portion of one of both temporal parts of a user's head.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first and second segments may be connected to each other in a first folding structure and folded toward an inside of the main body, and the third and fourth segments may be connected to each other in a second folding structure and folded toward an outside of the main body.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first folding structure may include: a fixed sleeve provided at an end of the main body; a rotating sleeve formed at an end of the first segment or the second segment to correspond to the fixed sleeve; and a hinge pin inserted into the fixed sleeve and the rotating sleeve so that the rotating sleeve hinges with respect to the fixed sleeve.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the second folding structure may include: a fixed sleeve provided at an end of the main body; a shaft having one end rotatably connected to the fixed sleeve; and a hinge pin inserted into the shaft and the fixed sleeve so that the shaft hinges with respect to the fixed sleeve.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the other end of the shaft may be connected to the third segment or the fourth segment by a rotational structure so that the third segment or the fourth segment is rotatable with respect to the shaft.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the rotational structure may include: a ball stud formed at the other end of the shaft; and a socket formed in the third segment or the fourth segment to receive the ball stud.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a first folding line between the main body and the first segment or between the main body and the second segment, and a second folding line between the main body and the third segment or between the main body and the fourth segment, may be located at different heights from an upper surface of the main body.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the foldable helmet may further include: a fastening structure for fixing any one of the first and second segments and any one of the third and fourth segments to each other, wherein the fastening structure comprises: a fixing piece formed at an end of any one of the first and second segments; a fastening hole formed in any one of the third and fourth segments to receive the fixing piece; and a fastening piece movably provided on any one of the third and fourth segments and detachably fastened to the fixing piece.

According to an exemplary embodiment, at an end of at least one of the third and fourth segments, a magnetic material may be provided for fixing the third and fourth segments to each other when the third and fourth segments are rotated and folded.

Advantageous Effects of Disclosure

According to embodiments of the disclosure, a helmet is divided into a plurality of segments to enable folding, thereby improving storage and portability, and safely protecting a user's head from an external impact.

Effects obtainable by embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects not described herein may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure belongs from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

A brief description of each drawing is provided to more fully understand drawings recited in the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable helmet from one direction according to the disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the foldable helmet from another direction according to the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a foldable helmet according to the disclosure, and

FIG. 4 is a side view of the foldable helmet according to the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a reference diagram for explaining a first folding structure of a first segment and a second segment of a foldable helmet according to the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a reference diagram for explaining a second folding structure of a third segment and a fourth segment of a foldable helmet according to the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a reference diagram for explaining a rotational structure of a third segment and a fourth segment of a foldable helmet according to the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a reference diagram for explaining a fastening structure of a foldable helmet according to the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a reference diagram for explaining a use state of a foldable helmet according to the disclosure.

MODE OF DISCLOSURE

Since the disclosure may have diverse modified embodiments, preferred embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and are described in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the disclosure to particular modes of practice, and it is to be appreciated that all changes, equivalents, and substitutes that do not depart from the spirit and technical scope of the disclosure are encompassed in the disclosure.

In the description of the disclosure, certain detailed explanations of the related art are omitted when it is deemed that they may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the disclosure. In addition, numeral figures (e.g., first, second, and the like) used during describing the specification are just identification symbols for distinguishing one element from another element.

Further, if it is described that one element is “connected” or “accesses” the other element in the disclosure, it is understood that the one element may be directly connected to or may directly access the other element but unless explicitly described to the contrary, another element may be “connected” or “access” between the elements. However, if it is described that one element is “directly connected” or “directly accesses” the other element, it is understood that there are no other elements exists between them. Expressions that describe the relationship between elements, such as “between” and “directly between” or “adjacent to” and “directly adjacent to” should be understood as above.

The terms used in the disclosure, only certain embodiments have been used to describe, is not intended to limit the disclosure. An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context. Also, it will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In addition, it is intended to clarify that the division of the components in the disclosure is only made for each main function that each component is responsible for. That is, two or more components to be described later below may be combined into one component, or one components may be divided into two or more components according to more subdivided functions. In addition, it goes without saying that each of the components to be described later below may additionally perform some or all of the functions of other components in addition to its own main function, and some of the main functions that each of the components is responsible for may be dedicated and performed by other components.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail in order.

A foldable helmet according to the disclosure is worn on a user's head and protects the user's head from an external impact or friction.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable helmet from one direction according to the disclosure, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the foldable helmet from another direction according to the disclosure, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the foldable helmet according to the disclosure, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the foldable helmet according to the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the foldable helmet according to the disclosure may include a main body 100, a first segment 110, a second segment 120, a third segment 130 and a fourth segment 140.

The main body 100 may cover an upper part of a user's head. In more detail, the main body 100 may be formed to have a constant area and be curved to correspond to the upper part of the user's head, and may be formed of a synthetic resin material such as polycarbonate (PC) to reduce weight and maintain strength. The upper part of the user's head refers to the top of the user's head, or a frontal part, a temporal part, or a back part of the head, which is only for convenience of description and does not limit the disclosure.

The first segment 110 is connected to the front of the main body 100 in a foldable manner, and may cover a front part of the user's head, for example, at least a portion of the user's frontal part. The first segment 110 may have a constant area and be formed to be curved to correspond to the front part of the user's head.

The second segment 120 is connected to the rear of the main body 100 in a foldable manner, and may cover a back part of the user's head, for example, at least a portion of the back part of the user's head. The second segment 120 may have a constant area and be formed to be curved to correspond to the back part of the user's head.

The third segment 130 is connected to one side of the main body 100 in a foldable manner, and may cover a left part of the user's head, for example, at least a portion of the left side of the user's head. The third segment 130 may have a constant area and be formed to be curved to correspond to the left part of the user's head.

The fourth segment 140 is connected to the other side of the main body 100 in a foldable manner, and may cover a right part of the user's head, for example, at least a portion of the right side of the user's head. The fourth segment 140 may have a constant area and be formed to be curved to correspond to the right part of the user's head.

The first segment 110, the second segment 120, the third segment 130, and the fourth segment 140 may be formed of a synthetic resin material such as polycarbonate (PC) to reduce weight and maintain strength in the same way as the main body 100.

The first segment 110 and the second segment 120 respectively connected to the front and rear of the main body 100 may form a pair of segments that face each other in a first direction from the front to the rear of the main body 100, and the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 respectively connected to both sides of the main body 100 may form another pair of segments that face each other in a second direction from one side of the main body 100 to the other side. The segment pairs may be folded in different directions to greatly reduce the volume of the helmet.

In more detail, each of the first segment 110 and the second segment 120 may be connected to the main body 100 through a first folding structure 210 and folded toward the inside of the main body 100. In addition, each of the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 may be connected to the main body 100 through a second folding structure 220 and folded toward the outside of the main body 100 (see FIG. 9).

In this way, as the segment pairs are folded in different directions to the inside and outside of the main body, the volume of the helmet may be effectively reduced, and thus, the portability and ease of storage of the helmet may be greatly improved.

The first and second folding structures of the segment pairs will be described in detail below.

A buffer member is provided inside the main body 100, the first segment 110, the second segment 120, the third segment 130, and the fourth segment 140 to more safely protect the user's head from an external impact. According to an embodiment, the buffer member may be divided into parts corresponding to shapes of the first to fourth segments 110, 120, 130 and 140, and detachably coupled to the inside of each of the first to fourth segments 110, 120, 130 and 140.

FIG. 5 is a reference diagram for explaining the first folding structure 210 of the first segment 110 and the second segment 120 of the foldable helmet according to the disclosure.

The first folding structure 210 connects an end of the main body 100 to an end of the first segment 110 or the second segment 120 so that the first segment 110 or the second segment 120 may be hinged from the main body 100.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first folding structure 210 may include a fixed sleeve 211, a rotating sleeve 213 and a hinge pin 215.

In more detail, the fixed sleeve 211 protrudes from the end of the main body 100, and a hole for inserting the hinge pin 215 to be described later may be formed therein.

The rotating sleeve 213 protrudes from the end of the first segment 110 or the second segment 120 to correspond to the fixed sleeve 211, and may have another hole communicating with the hole of the fixed sleeve 211 therein.

The hinge pin 215 has a constant length and may be inserted through the hole of the fixed sleeve 211 and the hole of the rotating sleeve 213. In more detail, the hinge pin 215 is inserted into the hole of the fixed sleeve 211 and the hole of the rotating sleeve 213 so that the rotating sleeve 213 hinges with respect to the fixed sleeve 211, and thus, the first segment 110 or the second segment 110 may rotate relative to the main body 100 for a hinge movement.

In this case, a hinge cam 212 and a spring 214 may be further provided inside the hole of the fixed sleeve 211 and the hole of the rotating sleeve 213, and the hinge pin 215 may be inserted inside the hinge cam 212 and the spring 214. The hinge cam 212 and the spring 214 limit a rotation range of the first segment 110 or the second segment 120 and enables a user to easily rotate the first segment 110 or the second segment 120 with little force.

At this time, a plurality of first folding structures 210 may be apart from each other at both ends of the main body 100.

FIG. 6 is a reference diagram for explaining the second folding structure 220 of the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 of the foldable helmet according to the disclosure.

The second folding structure 220 connects an end of the main body 100 to an end of the third segment 130 or the fourth segment 140 so that the third segment 130 or the fourth segment 140 may be hinged from the main body 100.

Referring to FIG. 6, the second folding structure 220 may include a fixed sleeve 221, a shaft 223, and a hinge pin 225.

In more detail, the fixed sleeve 221 protrudes from the end of the main body 100, and a hole for inserting the hinge pin 225 to be described later may be formed therein.

The shaft 223 is formed in a bar shape having a constant length, and an insertion hole corresponding to a hole of the fixed sleeve 221 may be formed at one end. The hole of the fixed sleeve 221 and the insertion hole of the shaft 223 communicate with each other, and the hinge pin 225, which will be described later, may be inserted through the insertion hole of the shaft 223 and the hole of the fixed sleeve 221.

The hinge pin 225 has a constant length and may be inserted through the hole of the fixed sleeve 221 and the hole of the shaft 223. In more detail, the hinge pin 225 is inserted into the insertion hole of the shaft 223 and the hole of the fixed sleeve 221 so that the shaft 223 hinges with respect to the fixed sleeve 221, and thus, the third segment 130 or the fourth segment 140 may rotate relative to the main body 100 for a hinge movement.

At this time, a hinge ring 227 may be further fastened to an end of the hinge pin 225, and the hinge ring 227 prevents the hinge pin 225 from being separated from the fixed sleeve 221.

Unlike the first folding structures 210, the second folding structure 220 may be singularly formed at the center of the third segment 130 or the fourth segment 140.

FIG. 7 is a reference diagram for explaining a rotational structure 230 of the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 of the foldable helmet according to the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, the foldable helmet according to the disclosure may further include the rotational structure 230, and the rotational structure 230 connects the other end of the shaft 223 to the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 so that the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 may rotate with respect to the shaft 223.

In more detail, referring to FIG. 7, the rotational structure 230 may include a ball stud 231 formed at the other end of the shaft 223 and a socket 233 formed at the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140.

The ball stud 231 is provided in a sphere shape at the other end of the shaft 223, and a socket 233 may be formed in the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 to receive the ball stud 231.

The other end of the shaft 223 is connected to the socket 233 of the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 in a ball joint manner so that the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 may rotate freely.

Due to the rotational structure 230, the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 may be rotated and folded so as to come into close contact with the main body 100 at the top of the main body 100, and thus, the volume of the helmet may be further reduced when the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 are folded.

A first folding line 219, which is formed between the main body 100 and the first segment 110 or the second segment 120 by the first folding structure 210, and a second folding line 229, which is formed between the main body 100 and the third segment 130 or the fourth segment 140 by the second folding structure 220, may be formed to have different heights based on an upper surface (or the top) of the main body 100.

When the folding lines are flush with each other, an external impact absorbed in an accident may be transmitted along the folding lines. In this case, segments may be easily separated and damaged even by a small external impact.

On the other hand, as in the disclosure, when the first folding line 219 and the second folding line 229 are not flush with each other, transmission of an external impact absorbed in an accident may be prevented and dispersed. Accordingly, separation and damage of segments of the helmet may be prevented even with a strong external impact, and thus, strength of the helmet may be improved.

FIG. 8 is a reference diagram for explaining a fastening structure 240 of the foldable helmet according to the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the foldable helmet according to the disclosure may further include a fastening structure 240 for fixing the first segment 110 or the second segment 120 to the third segment 130 or the fourth segment 140. In other words, the foldable helmet may further include a structure for fixing adjacent segments to each other.

In more detail, the fastening structure 240 may further include a fixing piece 241 formed at the end of the first segment 110 or the second segment 120, a fastening hole 243 formed in the third segment 130 or the fourth segment 140, and a fastening piece 244 movably provided to the third segment 130 or the fourth segment 140.

The fixing piece 241 may protrude from the end of the first segment 110 or the second segment 120, and a hooking portion 242 may protrude from an end of the fixing piece 241.

The fastening hole 243 corresponding to the hooking portion 242 of the fixing piece 241 may be formed at the end of the third segment 130 or the fourth segment 140, and the hooking portion 242 of the fixing piece 241 may be inserted into the fastening hole 243 so that the first segment 110 and the second segment 120 may be fastened to the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140.

The fastening piece 244 may be movably provided on an inner wall of the end of the third segment 130 or the fourth segment 140. In more detail, one end of the bent fastening piece 244 presses the fixing piece 241 so that the hooking portion 242 of the fixing piece 241 is inserted into the fastening hole 243 and fixed. As the fastening piece 244 moves, the fastening piece 244 is detached from the fixing piece 241 so that the pressure on the fixing piece 241 may be released. A spring 245 may be provided at the other end of the fastening piece 244, and when pressure on the fastening piece 244 by a user is released, the fastening piece 244 may automatically move to an initial position by the spring 245.

Referring to FIG. 8 (a) to (c), a process in which any one of the first segment 110 and the second segment 120 is separated from any one of the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 will be described as an example.

First, in FIG. 8 (a), when a user presses the fastening piece 244, the fastening piece 244 moves. In FIG. 8 (b), as the fastening piece 244 moves, the pressure on the fixing piece 241 by the fastening piece 244 is released so that the hooking portion 242 of the fastening piece 241 may be detached from the fastening hole 243. By rotation of the third segment 130 or the fourth segment 140, the fastening hole 243 is separated from the hooking portion 242 of the fixing piece 241 and the third segment 130 or the fourth segment 140 is separated from the first segment 110 or the second segment 120. A fastening process of the first segment 110 or the second segment 120 and the third segment 130 or the fourth segment 140 through the fastening structure 240 is performed opposite to the above-described separation process.

FIG. 9 is a reference diagram for explaining a use state of the foldable helmet according to the disclosure. Hereinafter, a folding process of the foldable helmet according to the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 (a) is a perspective view of a case in which the segments 110, 120, 130 and 140 are unfolded in a state in which the foldable helmet is used, and a user moves the fastening piece 244 by pressing the fastening piece 244 of the fastening structure 240 to separate the segments 110, 120, 130 and 140.

As the fastening piece 244 moves, a pressing force of the fixing piece 241 by one end of the fastening piece 244 is released, and as the pressing force is removed, the hooking portion 242 of the fixing piece 241 becomes detachable from the fastening hole 243. When the user presses the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 to the outside of the main body 100, the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 are separated from the first segment 110 and the second segment 120, respectively (see FIG. 9 (b)).

Thereafter, the user presses the first segment 110 and the second segment 120 to make a hinge movement to the inside of the main body 100 and folds them, and presses the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 to make a hinge movement to the outside of the main body 100 (see FIG. 9 (c)).

Next, the user rotates the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 by using the rotational structure 230 of the shaft 223 so that the inside of the third segment 130 and the inside of the fourth segment 140 face each other (see FIG. 9 (d)).

Next, the user folds the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 by a hinge movement so that the insides of the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 come into close contact with the outside of the main body 100 (see FIG. 9 (e)). At this time, at least one magnetic material may be provided on a contact surface between an end of the third segment 130 and an end of the fourth segment 140. When the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 are folded, the third segment 130 and the fourth segment 140 may be fixed to each other by the magnetic material.

By this process, the foldable helmet according to the disclosure may improve the portability and storage of the helmet by minimizing the volume when the helmet is not in use by using a folding structure.

It should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not limiting, and the scope of the disclosure will be indicated by the claims to be described later below rather than the detailed description described above. Also, it should be construed that the meaning and scope of the claims, and further all modifications and variations derived from the equivalent concept are included in the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A foldable helmet for protecting a user's head, the foldable helmet comprising: a main body; andtwo pairs of segments that are connected to the main body in a foldable manner and face each other with the main body therebetween in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, respectively,wherein the two pairs of segments are folded in different directions.

2. The foldable helmet of claim 1, wherein the two pairs of segments comprise first and second segment pairs, wherein the first segment pair comprises first and second segments each covering at least a portion of one of a frontal part and a back part of a user's head, andthe second segment pair comprises third and fourth segments each covering at least a portion of one of both temporal parts of a user's head.

3. The foldable helmet of claim 2, wherein the first and second segments are connected to each other in a first folding structure and folded toward an inside of the main body, and the third and fourth segments are connected to each other in a second folding structure and folded toward an outside of the main body.

4. The foldable helmet of claim 3, wherein the first folding structure comprises: a fixed sleeve provided at an end of the main body;a rotating sleeve formed at an end of the first segment or the second segment to correspond to the fixed sleeve; anda hinge pin inserted into the fixed sleeve and the rotating sleeve so that the rotating sleeve hinges with respect to the fixed sleeve.

5. The foldable helmet of claim 3, wherein the second folding structure comprises: a fixed sleeve provided at an end of the main body;a shaft having one end rotatably connected to the fixed sleeve; anda hinge pin inserted into the shaft and the fixed sleeve so that the shaft hinges with respect to the fixed sleeve.

6. The foldable helmet of claim 5, wherein the other end of the shaft is connected to the third segment or the fourth segment by a rotational structure so that the third segment or the fourth segment is rotatable with respect to the shaft.

7. The foldable helmet of claim 6, wherein the rotational structure comprises: a ball stud formed at the other end of the shaft; anda socket formed in the third segment or the fourth segment to receive the ball stud.

8. The foldable helmet of claim 3, wherein a first folding line between the main body and the first segment or between the main body and the second segment, and a second folding line between the main body and the third segment or between the main body and the fourth segment, are located at different heights from an upper surface of the main body.

9. The foldable helmet of claim 3, further comprising: a fastening structure for fixing any one of the first and second segments and any one of the third and fourth segments to each other,wherein the fastening structure comprises:a fixing piece formed at an end of any one of the first and second segments;a fastening hole formed in any one of the third and fourth segments to receive the fixing piece; anda fastening piece movably provided on any one of the third and fourth segments and detachably fastened to the fixing piece.

10. The foldable helmet of claim 3, wherein, at an end of at least one of the third and fourth segments, a magnetic material is provided for fixing the third and fourth segments to each other when the third and fourth segments are rotated and folded.