TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure relates generally to protective helmets.
BACKGROUND
Helmets are designed to protect a user's head. In order to increase the likelihood that a user will wear a helmet, a helmet should be comfortable to wear. For example, a helmet should allow airflow to the user's head. Additionally, helmets should fit comfortably, should be light weight, and should not obstruct visibility.
Further, helmets may restrict air flow to the user's head, which may cause a user's head to reach uncomfortable temperatures. Some helmets have ventilation slots which allow air to incidentally enter the vents if external airflow and the ventilation slots align. Improved helmet designs are desired.
SUMMARY
In some embodiments, a helmet comprises a protective shell shaped to protect a head of a user, the protective shell having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and at least on one opening extending from the exterior surface to the interior surface, and at least one detachable cap sized and shaped to fit the at least one opening.
In some embodiments, a helmet comprises a protective shell shaped to protect a head of a user. The protective shell has an exterior surface, an interior surface, at least on one opening, at least one top vent at a top of the protective shell and at least one rear vent at a rear end of the protective shell. The opening, the top vent and rear vent each extend from the exterior surface to the interior surface. The interior surface has at least one channel therein extending from the top vent to the rear vent or the rear end of the protective shell. At least one detachable cap is sized and shaped to fit the at least one opening. A tether is attached to the cap and the protective shell, for retaining the cap near the opening when the cap is detached from the opening. An air scoop is attached to the protective shell above the top vent.
In some embodiments, a method comprises: attaching a first end of a tether to a helmet having a lock port opening therein; and attaching a second end of the tether to a cap that is sized and shaped to fit the lock port opening, so that the cap and the lock port opening are detachably attachable to each other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a helmet having an opening and a detachable cap.
FIG. 1B shows the helmet of FIG. 1A, attached to a stationary post by a U-lock.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail of the helmet of FIG. 1, including a tether used to secure the cap.
FIG. 3 illustrates another view of the opening of FIG. 2, with the cap detached from the opening of the protective shell.
FIG. 4A illustrates a detailed view of the cap and opening of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the opening and cap of FIG. 4A.
FIG. 4C is a view of the opening and cap of FIG. 4A, with a cover ring protecting the edge of the exterior shell around the opening.
FIG. 4D is an exploded view showing an embodiment of the ledge, cover ring and cap.
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the helmet of FIG. 1, further including air vents, an air channel, and an air scoop.
FIG. 6A illustrates a view of a detail of the helmet including the air vents and an air scoop.
FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 6B-6B of FIG. 6A.
FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of the helmet of FIG. 5, showing the direction of the air flow through the scoop and air vent.
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the helmet of FIG. 5, including air vents and an air scoop.
FIG. 9A is a bottom view of the helmet of FIG. 1, taken along section line 9-9 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 9B is a bottom view of a variation of the helmet shown in FIG. 9A, including two anterior-posterior air channels.
FIG. 9C is a bottom view of a variation of the helmet shown in FIG. 9A, including three anterior-posterior air channels.
FIG. 10 is an isometric view of an embodiment having a hinge-type means for attaching the cap to the helmet.
FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a unitary cap and cover ring unit according to some embodiments of the helmet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Helmets can be difficult to secure when they are not being worn. For example, a user may either carry the helmet after use or attach it to a fixed object using the helmet's straps. Carrying the helmet when the helmet is not being worn may be inconvenient, but attaching the helmet to a fixed object using the helmet's straps may not adequately deter theft.
This disclosure relates to a protective helmet 10 for protecting a user's head from impact (e.g., during a fall) and/or from being struck by any external objects, such as a low-hanging tree branch. In some embodiments, the protective helmet 10 further includes a mechanism (e.g., a lock port) for securing the helmet to a fixed object when the helmet is not being used. In some embodiments, the protective helmet includes one or more vents and one or more air scoops to facilitate air flow through the helmet.
A helmet that protects a user from impact and the elements is described herein. In some embodiments, the helmet configuration is convenient to handle or store when the helmet is not being worn. In some embodiments, the helmet provides temperature regulation.
FIGS. 1A to 4D and 9A-9C illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a helmet 10 suitable for use while cycling. The helmet 10 includes a protective shell 1 with at least one opening (also referred to as a lock port) 2 in the protective shell, and a cap (also referred to as a lock port cover) 3, for covering the opening 2.
As shown in FIG. 1B, in some embodiments, the opening 2 is sized to receive locking mechanism, such as a U-lock 34, a cable or a chain through the opening 2, for locking the helmet 10 and bicycle to a fixed object, such as a bike rack or a post 36 embedded in pavement 38. In some embodiments, the opening is designed to accommodate a variety of bike locks. The diameter of the opening should be large enough to accommodate a U-lock 34 or a chain, but small enough so as not to compromise the integrity and protective function of the helmet 10. Additionally, the circular shape allows the opening to accommodate the lock 34 while the lock and helmet are in a broad variety of positions. In some embodiments, the opening 2 has a dimension between 1 inch (2.54 cm) and 1.5 inch 3.8 cm). For example, the opening can be a circular opening with a diameter of about 1.312 inch, (e.g., from 1.25 inch to 1.375 inch). In other embodiments, the shape of the opening 2 is a quadrilateral (e.g., a rectangle or trapezoid), pentagon, hexagon, octagon, or other polygon.
In some embodiments, the opening 2 is positioned so that when the helmet 10 is worn, the opening 2 is above and behind the user's (left or right) ear, anterior to the rear of the skull, and below the impact test line specified by 16 CFR § 1203.11. This location of opening 2 ensures that the helmet 10 performs well in impact safety testing. Because the opening 2 is located toward the rear of the helmet and near the lowest end of the helmet, the opening 2 can be made larger to accommodate a broad variety of locks, chains and cables with acceptable safety.
FIG. 9A is a bottom (inside) view of the helmet of FIG. 1, taken along section line 9-9. In some embodiments, the protective shell 1 includes an exterior shell 1a and an interior shell 1b. The exterior shell 1a is a hard plastic, such as polycarbonate, polystyrene, or fiberglass that primarily protects the skin of the head from cuts, contusions and abrasions, and disperses energy before reaching the interior shell. The exterior shell 1a also absorbs some energy when the helmet sustains an impact. The harder exterior shell 1a also protects the interior shell 1b from normal wear and tear during storage, handling and use.
In other embodiments, the exterior shell 1a can comprise another impact absorbing polymer material (impact or shock resistant material). The material can be thermoplastic, a thermoset, a blend or a composite, e.g., a thermoplastic material such as polycarbonate, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene; a polymer layer filled with air or a polymer honeycombed structure; a reinforced thermoset resin e.g., vinylester, polyester, epoxy, or urethane. The material can be reinforced with reinforcing fiber or filler, e.g., glass fiber, aramid fiber, Kevlar, carbon fiber.
In some embodiments, the opening 2 includes a ledge 2L (shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B) formed in the exterior shell 1a. The ledge 2L has a depth DL from the outside surface of the exterior shell 1a. The cap 3 has a thickness TC substantially equal to the depth DL of the ledge 2L, so that when the cap 3 is seated on the ledge 2L in the opening 2, the top surface of the cap 3 is coplanar (flush) with the outside surface of the exterior shell 1a. To facilitate gripping the cap 3 to remove the cap 3, some embodiments include a raised edge 9, beneath which h a small cavity 9c is formed.
FIG. 4C is a cross section of an opening 2 and ledge 2L as shown in FIG. 4B, with the addition of a cover ring 8. In some embodiments, a protective circular cover ring 8 surrounds the opening 2 of the interior shell 1b. In some embodiments, the cover ring 8 can serve one or more purposes. In some embodiments, the cover ring 8 serves as a reinforcement to protect the plastic around the opening 2 during normal handling and during impact. For reinforcement, in some embodiments the cover ring 8 covers the cylindrical side wall of the opening 2. In other embodiments, the cover ring 8 can cover an annular ring around the opening 2 on the outside surface of exterior shell 1a, an annular ring around the opening 2 on the inside surface of interior shell 1b, and the cylindrical side wall of the opening 2 between the outside surface and inside surface. This circular ring 8 protects the softer internal material of the interior shell 1b from abrasion when a locking mechanism is looped through it.
In some embodiments, the cover ring 8 also includes a means for attaching the cap 3 to the helmet 10 (e.g., a female thread (not shown) in the cover ring 8 around the opening 2 for receiving a cap having a male thread). In other embodiments, the means for attaching the cap is a part of the exterior shell 1a. In various embodiments, the exterior shell 1a includes a means for attaching the cap 3, which can include a magnet, a female thread, a pin, a hinge, hook and loop (e.g., “VELCRO”) fastener, a suction mechanism, or the like.
FIG. 4D is an exploded view of the ledge 2L, cover ring 8, and cap 3. In FIG. 4D, the exterior protective shell 1a is omitted for ease of viewing, except for the ledge 2L. The cover ring 8 includes a horizontal portion 8a that is seated over the ledge 2L of the exterior shell 1a. A lower section 8b is adapted to be mounted in the opening 2. A variety of methods can be used to attach the cover ring 8 to the exterior shell. For example, in some embodiments, the lower section 8b can have a male thread that engages a female thread of a nut (not shown) inside the helmet 10, or a female thread in the exterior shell 1a itself. In other embodiments, the lower section 8b has an interference fit with the opening of the exterior shell 1a. In other embodiments, the cover ring 8 is joined to the exterior shell 1a by adhesive or fusion bonding.
The interior shell 1b comprises a softer material, such as a molded plastic foam, which can include but is not limited to: expanded polystyrene rigid polyurethane, or polyolefin. The interior shell 1b absorbs energy when the helmet 10 sustains impact and provides thermal insulation. In some embodiments, the interior shell 1b also includes one or more internal air channels 11 and 12 that help circulate airflow when air enters the helmet through a ventilation hole 4. FIG. 9A shows a posterior-anterior air channel 11 and a transverse air channel 12. In some embodiments, one or more posterior-anterior air channels 11 are provided, without any transverse air channel. In other embodiments, three or more posterior-anterior air channels 11 are provided.
In other embodiments, the interior shell 1b can comprise a relatively soft/flexible/elastic energy-absorbing material. The material can be thermoplastic or a thermoset, a foamed or expanded polymer or polymer blend, e.g., polyurethane foam, expanded polyolefins such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and expanded polypropylene (EPP), flexible polyurethane, plasticized polyvinylchloride, medium density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, or the like. In some embodiments, the pieces of interior shell can also be filled with a second foam material.
The helmet 10 includes an opening 2 through which a user can pass a locking mechanism, so that the helmet 10 may be securely locked to the bicycle or another stationary object. When the locking mechanism is engaged, the helmet 10 cannot be removed from the locking mechanism until the locking mechanism is disengaged. In some embodiments, the helmet 10 allows a locking mechanism to be looped through the opening so that the helmet 10 is securely attached to a bicycle, a fixed object (e.g., a post), or both. This physical engagement allows a user to quickly and safely secure the helmet 10 when it is not being worn.
In some embodiments, the helmet 10 includes a cap 3 used to cover the opening 2, and a tether 5 for securing the cap 3 to the helmet 10. The cap 3 can be used to cover the opening 2 when the locking mechanism is not attached to the helmet through the opening 2. The cap 3 may also be used to partially cover the opening 2 when the locking mechanism is attached to the helmet 10 through the opening. The cap can be formed of a plastic, such as polycarbonate, polystyrene, or polyethylene.
The cap 3 may conceal the opening 2. As shown in FIG. 4A, the cap 3 may also have a means for retaining the cap 3 near the opening 2 when the cap is not attached to the opening. For example the retaining means can include a tether 5 attached to the protective shell 1 and to the cap 3, which allows the cap 3 to be detached from the protective shell 1 by a short distance, but prevents the user from dropping or losing the cap 3. The tether 5 can be formed of a thin rope, a nylon cord, or the like. The tether 5 can be secured to the inside of the exterior shell by a fastener, such as a rivet or the like. The cap 3 can be detachably attached to the opening 2, so that attachment and detachment can both be performed reversibly and repeatedly by hand without using any tools.
In some embodiments, the means for attaching the cap 3 to the helmet 10 includes means for attaching the cap to a ledge 2L (FIGS. 4B, 4C) in the exterior shell 1a. The means for attaching can include at least one magnet 7, and either a piece of ferrous material or a second magnet 6. In some embodiments, at least one magnet 7 is embedded in the cap 2, and a piece of ferrous metal or second magnet is provided around the opening 2, within a space between the ledge 2L and the cover ring 8, or embedded in the cover ring 8. In other embodiments, the cap 2 has a piece of ferrous material therein, and the helmet has magnet around the ledge 2L, within a space between the ledge 2L and the cover ring 8, or in the cover ring 8. Using the magnet 6 and magnet or ferrous piece 7, the cap 3 stays firmly affixed and flush against the helmet 10. In some embodiments, which have a ledge 2L in the opening 2, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, a magnet or piece of ferrous material 7M can be embedded under the ledge 2L. The magnet 7 or 7M allows the user to easily return the cap 3 to seat in the opening 2 by merely placing the cap 3 close enough to the opening 2 to allow the magnetic force to pull the cap 3 into its seat on ledge 2L, with the top surface of the cap 3 flush or substantially flush with the outside surface of exterior shell 1a.
In some embodiments, the cap 3 has a slightly raised lip or hump 9 at its perimeter, and the raised lip has a bottom surface that is flush or above the outside surface of the exterior shell 1a, adjacent the cap 3. A user can insert a fingernail or thin object under the lip 9 to lift the cap 3. This raised surface 9 allows users to easily to find and remove the cap.
FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a helmet lock port cover including a substantially flat lid 21 that covers the helmet opening, ensuring more symmetrical airflow and improving appearance. In addition, the attaching overhanging lip 22 provides a visual queue to the user that the cover 21 is intended to be opened and used as a lock port. Also, the circular ring 24 and its slight overhang 25 act as a protective trim and can extend the life of the lock port.
The flat circular lid 21 covers the lock port opening or opening 2. In some embodiments, the lid 21 is about 3 cm in diameter (e.g., from 2.8 to 3.2 cm) and remains attached to a circular ring 24 through the interlocking nipples or pins 23; in addition, the lid 21 has a slight overhanging lip 22 that facilitates opening and closing the lid 21. The circular ring 24 and its slight overhang 25 protect the helmet's interior shell 1b and exterior shell 1a from wear and tear and from the impact of the lock's blunt edge; the circular ring 24 has a depth sufficient to cover the combined depth of the helmet's interior shell 1b and exterior shell 1a. This design allows the lock port cover 21 to appear flush with the helmet's outside surface.
In FIG. 10, the nipples or pins 23 are received by complementary openings 26 in the lid 21 and the circular ring 24, forming a hinge-type means for retaining the cap 21. The nipples or pins 23 provide a pivoting capability, and prevent the user from dropping or losing the lid 21 when the lid 21 is opened. Thus, the embodiment of FIG. 10 provide an integrated means for attaching the cap to the opening and means for retaining the cap near the opening when the cap is not attached to the opening.
FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a unitary cap and cover ring unit 28 according to some embodiments of the helmet. The cap and cover unit 28 includes a cover ring portion 28a, which provides the function of the cover ring 8 discussed above. The cover ring portion 28a can be mounted to the exterior shell 1a using any of the methods discussed above with respect to cover ring 8. The cap portion 3 snaps onto the cover ring 28a. For this purpose, the unitary cap and cover ring unit 28 can comprise softer materials such as rubber or low density polyethylene. The cap portion 3 may include a male portion 3a that fits into the inner circumference of the cover ring portion 28a, and a top 3b which acts as a stop for the cap 3. The cap and cover ring unit 28 includes an integral tether portion 28b which serves as a means for retaining the cap 3.
FIGS. 5 to 8 show an embodiment of the helmet 10 having at least one air scoop 30 for driving ambient air into at least one of the channels 11 and/or 12 of the helmet 10. The helmet 10 may also include air vents 4 for directing air flow through the exterior shell 1a into the helmet, and one or more channels 11, 12 in the interior shell 1b, for directing the air flow inside the helmet. In some embodiments, the air vents 4 are located on top of the helmet. In other embodiments (not shown), the air vents 4 can be located anywhere between the front of the helmet and the top of the helmet.
In some embodiments, the channel 11 extends at least from the vent 4 (to which the air scoop 30 is attached) to the rear of the helmet 10. In some embodiments one or more of the channels 11 intersect with at least one rear vent 14 at the rear of the helmet 10. The rear end 11r of the channel 11 and/or rear air vent 14 allows heated air to escape from the helmet, and cool the wearer's head. The air scoop 30 has a front opening 32 which is exposed to the air velocity pressure. (As the bicycle moves with a forward velocity, the velocity pressure of air entering the scoop is proportional to the square of the forward velocity.) The combination of the higher air pressure at the vent 4 beneath the air scoop 30 and the lower pressure behind the rear vent 14 draws the air through channel 11. The location of the air vents 4, rear air vents 14 and channels 11, 12 are based on where a user's head is most likely to become overheated. In some embodiments, the air vents 14 are located below the impact test line specified by 16 CFR § 1203.11. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, four rear air vents 14 are located on the lower back of the helmet 10 and 3 air vents 4 are located on the top of the helmet 10. Other configurations may be used to regulate the amount of air flow.
In some embodiments, the detachable air scoops 30 are designed to lock into the helmet's top vents 4. These detachable scoops 30 actively catch and guide air into the top vents 4. The air scoop 30 is detachable, so that attachment and detachment can both be performed reversibly and repeatedly by hand without using any tools. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the scoop 30 has a plurality of tabs 31 extending outwardly. The material of the scoop 30 can be deformed elastically by squeezing the ends of the scoop together, to permit insertion of the tabs 31 into the space between the exterior shell 1a and the interior shell 1b. The vents 4 are also designed to align with the interior shell's internal air channels 11, 12. These internal air channels 11, 12 further help circulate airflow throughout the entire helmet 10. The flow path from air scoop 30 is connected to the rear of the helmet, to restore airflow to the back of the user's head, most of which would otherwise be blocked by the wearing of a helmet. Although FIG. 9A only shows one anterior-posterior air channel 11 and one transverse air channel 12, other embodiments can have multiple air channels in either or both directions.
The detachable air scoops 30 allow the user to control and modulate the amount of air flow and cooling. For example, given a helmet 10 having three air vents 4, the user can attach 0, 1, 2 or 3 air scoops to adjust the amount of air cooling. In some embodiments, the air scoop 30 snaps on an off of the helmet, to allow quick attachment and detachment. In other embodiments, the air scoop 30 can be permanently attached to the helmet.
To attach the air scoops 30, some embodiments include two L-shaped wedges that protrude from the body of air scoop and slide and lock in between the exterior shell 1a and interior shell 1b at the location of the top air vents 4. The wedges are rounded to match and interlock with the edges of the top air vents 4. In addition, the wedges are positioned over the corner edges of air vents 4 to increase the stability of the air scoops 30 when the bicycle or vehicle moves with forward velocity, thereby increasing the air pressure. Other embodiments may include threading the air scoops 30 through the interior shell 1b and exterior shell 1a, only through the exterior shell 1a, or only to the internal shell 1b. The wedges may formed of the same piece of material as the exterior shell 1a, or the wedges may be completely detachable.
The air scoop 30 can comprise a thermoplastic material, a thermoset, a blend or a composite, e.g., a thermoplastic material such as polycarbonate, ABS HDPE, polypropylene; a polymer layer filled with air or a polymer honeycombed structure; a reinforced thermoset resin e.g., vinylester, polyester, epoxy, or urethane. The material can be reinforced with reinforcing fiber or filler, e.g., glass fiber, aramid fiber, Kevlar, or carbon fiber.
For example, as shown in FIG. 9B, in some embodiments, there are two anterior-posterior air channels 11, each connecting to a respective rear air vent 14. Each of the two air channels 11 is connected to a respective end of each of the air vents 4, on opposite ends of the vents 4. Each channel 11 is aligned with a respective rear air vent 14, to maximize flow to the rear air vents 14.
As shown in FIG. 9B, the air channels 11 can extend part way into the material of the interior shell 1b. Beneath the channels 11, the material of the interior shell 1b is thinner than elsewhere, but still sufficiently thick to provide protection and to ensure the integrity of the whole interior shell 1b. For example, in some embodiments, the thickness of the interior shell 1b at the front of the helmet is about 0.563 inch (1.43 cm) in the channel 11, and about 0.75 inch (1.91 cm) elsewhere. In some embodiments, the thickness of the interior shell 1b is less at the back of the helmet than at the front. For example, in some embodiments, at the back of the helmet, the thickness of the interior shell 1b is about 0.25 inch (0.635 cm) in the channel 11 and 0.437 inch (1.07 cm) elsewhere. In some embodiments, the only openings which completely penetrate the interior shell 1b are the air vents 4, the rear air vents 14 and the opening 2.
In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9C, there are three anterior-posterior air channels 11a-11c, each having a rear end 11r at the rear end of the helmet 10. The helmet 10 has a first vent 4 at a top of the helmet 10, and at least a second (e.g., top) rear vent 14a and a third (e.g., bottom) vent 14b at a rear of the helmet. The first air channel 11a connects the first vent 4 to the second vent 14a, and the second air channel 11b connects the first vent 4 to the third vent 14b. The third air channel 11c connects the first vent 4 to the second vent 14a and the third vent 14b. As shown in FIG. 9C, a vent 4 can either extend across the entire width of a channel (e.g., 11c) or have one end connected to the channel (e.g., 11a, 11b). A channel can intersect with a rear vent 14 along the entire width of the channel (e.g., 11a, 11b intersect rear vents 14a, 14b along the entire widths of channels 11a, 11b, respectively), or the channel can be connected to the end of at least one vent (e.g., channel 11c is connected to respective ends of vents 14a and 14b).
As discussed above with respect to FIG. 9B, the air channels 11a-11c can extend part way into the material of the interior shell 1b. Beneath the channels 11, the material of the interior shell 1b is thinner than elsewhere, but still sufficiently thick to provide protection and to ensure the integrity of the whole interior shell 1b.
In the examples shown in FIGS. 1A to 9C, the exterior shell 1a of the helmet 10 is continuously solid, except for the opening 2, the vents 4 and the rear vents 14. Of these openings, both the opening 2 and rear vents 14 are located below the impact test line, enhancing impact protection. The inclusion of the air scoop 30 coupled to the anterior-posterior channels 11 provides cooling without adding additional openings in the protective shell 1, which could reduce protection against contusions and abrasions.
The helmet having the cap 3 shown in FIGS. 1A-4D can be configured with or without the air scoop 30 as shown in FIGS. 5-8. The helmet (with or without the air scoop 30) can be configured with any of the combination of air channels shown in any of FIGS. 9A to 9C. Any of the embodiments described in this paragraph can include the cap 3 of FIG. 4A, the pivoting cap 21 of FIG. 10, or the unitary cover ring and cap unit 28 shown in FIG. 11.
A helmet lock port cover such as cap 3 provides several advantages. The cap 3 protects the user from wind, insects or infiltration of other debris while cycling. The cap 3 can protect the edges and side walls of the opening against repeated wear during use and handling. The cap 3 hides these opening 2 and maintains the symmetry of the aerodynamic characteristics of the helmet while riding. The cap 3 also helps define the opening's purpose as a lock port, and provides a visual reminder to the user to lock the helmet to the bicycle and/or stationary object.
Although the subject matter has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments, which may be made by those skilled in the art.
Patent Application
20160135534
