Patent Grant
8032946
The present invention relates to a shied structure for a helmet or goggles, including a main shield and left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms which are disposed on the main shield, in which each of the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms includes an inner auxiliary shield mounting portion. The present invention also relates to a helmet in which such a shield structure is pivotally mounted on a head protecting body.
The present invention also relates to a shield structure for a helmet or goggles, comprising a main shield and left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms which are disposed on the main shield, in which at least one auxiliary shield mounting mechanism of the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms comprises an auxiliary shield holding member including an engaging shaft to relatively engage with one of engaging notched recess and an engaging hole of an auxiliary shield and a removal preventive portion to prevent removal of the engaging shaft from one of the engaging notched recess and the engaging hole. The present invention also relates to a helmet in which such a shield structure is pivotally mounted on a head protecting body.
In a full-face-type helmet or the like, when a regular shield (to be referred to as a “main shield” in this DESCRIPTION) tends to fog as in the rain, a shield structure is sometimes employed in which an anti-fogging auxiliary shield referred to as an anti-fogging sheet or the like is mounted on the main shield, as disclosed in, e.g., WO 01/13750 A1 (to be referred to as “the prior patent reference” hereinafter). In the helmet shield structure (to be referred to as “the shield structure of the prior patent reference” hereinafter) disclosed in the above prior patent reference, the anti-fogging auxiliary shield is detachably mounted on the inner surface of the main shield to maintain a slight gap with respect to the main shield. In this case, substantially semicircular left and right engaging notched recesses are formed in the left and right ends, respectively, of the anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield. Left and right engaging headed shafts respectively having removal preventive heads for the anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield are disposed on the main shield to correspond to the left and right engaging notched recesses (that is, engaging slits), respectively, such that the headed shafts project on the inner surface of the main shield. Such engaging headed shafts have eccentric shaft structures so that they can adjust the tension of the anti-fogging auxiliary shield with respect to the main shield. Also, the non-eccentric shafts of the engaging headed shafts on the proximal end sides are pivotally inserted in mounting holes of the main shield from the outer surface side of the main shield. The removal preventive heads are fixed to the eccentric shafts. Hence, the tension can be adjusted by pivoting the eccentric shafts.
In the shield structure of the prior patent reference as described above, when mounting the anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield on the inner surface of the main shield, the left and right engaging headed shafts of the main shield are sequentially, relatively engaged with the left and right engaging notched recesses, respectively, of the anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield. This engaging may be done by sequentially, relatively introducing the left and right ends of the anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield into the eccentric shafts existing between the removable preventive heads of the left and right engaging headed shafts and the inner surface of the main shield. When removing the anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield from the main shield, the left and right engaging headed shafts may be sequentially, relatively removed from the left and right engaging notched recesses, respectively, by performing operation reverse to that for engaging. With the shield structure of the prior patent reference having the arrangement as described above, a sealed space serving as a heat-insulating layer can be formed between the outer main shield and the inner anti-fogging auxiliary shield. The heat-insulating layer can serve to decrease the temperature difference between the inner and outer sides of each of the two shields, thus anti-fogging both the main shield and anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield.
In the full-face-type helmet or the like, when the rider travels a bad road as in motocross, the main shield tends to become dirty with mud or the like. For this reason, a shield structure may be used in which one or a plurality of layers of mudguard auxiliary shields each called a mudguard sheet, tear-off film, disposable sheet, or the like are mounted on the outer surface of the main shield such that they can be sequentially removed, as disclosed in the homepage of SHOEI CO., LTD. (http://jp.shoei.com/products/ja/parts_list.php?parts_id=1) (to be referred to as “the prior non-patent reference” hereinafter). In the shield structure (to be referred to as “the shield structure of the prior non-patent reference” hereinafter) for the helmet on which the mudguard outer auxiliary shield is mounted in this manner, left and right engaging holes are formed in the left and right ends, respectively, of the mudguard outer auxiliary shield. Each engaging hole is formed of a substantially circular center hole and a pair of upper and lower slits extending from the center hole outward along the diameter in opposite directions. Left and right engaging headed shafts respectively having removal preventive heads for the mudguard outer auxiliary shield are disposed on the main shield to correspond to the left and right engaging holes, respectively, such that the head shafts project on the outer surface of the main shield. Such engaging headed shafts have eccentric shaft structures so that they can adjust the tension of the mudguard outer auxiliary shield with respect to the main shield. Also, set screws inserted in the mounting holes of the main shield are screwed in the non-eccentric shafts of the engaging headed shafts at the proximal end sides from the inner surface side of the main shield. This fixes the engaging headed shafts to the main shield. Hence, the set screws are loosened by pivoting the engaging headed shafts, the engaging headed shafts and set screws are entirely pivoted by an appropriate amount, and after that the engaging headed shafts are pivoted with respect to the set screws so that the set screws are screwed in and fixed to the engaging headed shafts again. Then, the tension can be adjusted.
In the shield structure of the prior non-patent reference, when mounting the mudguard outer auxiliary shield on the outer side of the main shield, the left and right engaging headed shafts of the main shield are sequentially, relatively engaged with the left and right engaging holes, respectively, of the mudguard outer auxiliary shield. This engagement may be performed by sequentially, relatively inserting the left and right engaging headed shafts into the left and right engaging holes, respectively, of the mudguard outer auxiliary shield which includes one or a plurality of layers.
In the shield structure of the prior non-patent reference described above, when removing the mudguard outer auxiliary shield (if it includes a plurality of layers, the outermost mudguard outer auxiliary shield) dirty with mud or the like from the main shield, the following operation may be performed. More specifically, first, the operator such as the helmet wearer may hold the mudguard outer auxiliary shield at a portion near its left or right end with the hand and pull it substantially forward. In this case, the left or right (in other words, either one) engaging headed shaft of the main shield is extracted relatively from the left or right engaging hole of the mudguard outer auxiliary shield. Subsequently, when the operator further pulls the mudguard outer auxiliary shield substantially forward with his hand, the right or left (in other words, the other) engaging headed shaft of the main shield is also extracted relatively from the right or left engaging hole of the mudguard auxiliary shield. As a result, the mudguard auxiliary shield can be removed from the main shield completely.
Assume that not only the anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield can be mounted on the main shield employed in the shield structure of the prior patent reference having the above arrangement, but also a mudguard outer auxiliary shield can be mounted on the same main shield as in the case of the main shield employed in the shield structure of the prior non-patent reference. Then, one type of main shield structure can be commonly employed in two types of helmets such as the helmet disclosed in the prior patent reference and the helmet disclosed in the prior non-patent reference. The main shield structure becomes compatible, which is preferable. In this case, left and right engaging headed shafts as those disposed on the main shield of the shield structure of the prior non-patent reference may be disposed on the main shield of the shield structure of the prior patent reference as second engaging headed shafts for the mudguard outer auxiliary shield. More specifically, the second engaging headed shafts are disposed on the main shield to project on the outer surface of the main shield. In this case, however, the main shield structure becomes complicated, and the number of components increases, leading to a high cost. In addition, to mount the anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield and mudguard outer auxiliary shield, the main shield is provided with a large number of engaging headed shafts. This degrades the appearance of the main shield (and accordingly the shield structure).
Assume that not only the mudguard outer auxiliary shield can be mounted on the main shield employed in the shield structure of the prior non-patent reference, but also an anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield can be mounted on the same main shield as in the case of the main shield employed in the shield structure of the prior patent reference. Then, one type of main shield structure can be commonly employed in two types of helmets such as the helmet disclosed in the prior non-patent reference and the helmet disclosed in the prior patent reference. The main shield structure becomes compatible, which is preferable. In this case, left and right engaging headed shafts as those disposed on the main shield of the shield structure of the prior patent reference may be disposed on the main shield of the shield structure of the prior non-patent reference as second engaging headed shafts for the anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield. More specifically, the second engaging headed shafts are disposed on the main shield to project on the inner surface of the main shield. In this case, however, the main shield structure also becomes complicated, and the number of components increases, leading to a high cost. In addition, to mount the mudguard outer auxiliary shield and anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield, the main shield is provided with a large number of engaging headed shafts. This degrades the appearance of the main shield (and accordingly the shield structure).
Furthermore, in the case of the shield structure of the prior non-patent reference, when adjusting the tension of the mudguard outer auxiliary shield with respect to the main shield, as described above, the set screws must be loosened by pivoting the engaging headed shafts, the engaging headed shafts and set screws must be entirely pivoted by an appropriate amount, and after that the engaging headed shafts must be pivoted with respect to the set screws so that the set screws are screwed in and fixed to the engaging headed shafts again. This leads to cumbersome tension adjusting operation. In particular, when traveling a bad road on a motorbike as in motocross, the mudguard outer auxiliary shield tends to become dirty with mud or the like. Therefore, if a plurality of layers of mudguard outer auxiliary shields are mounted on the outer surface of the main shield, they must be sequentially removed one by one within a comparatively short time interval. Every time an outer auxiliary shield is to be removed (in other words, within a comparatively short time interval), the tension of a new mudguard outer auxiliary shield existing under the removed mudguard outer auxiliary shield must be adjusted. In this case, adjustment of the tension of the mudguard outer auxiliary shield is further complicated.
The present invention can correct the above defects in the shield structures of the prior patent reference and prior non-patent reference as described above effectively with a comparatively simple arrangement.
The present invention, in its first aspect, relates to a shield structure for a helmet or goggles, including a main shield and left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms which are disposed on the main shield, each of the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms including an inner auxiliary shield mounting portion, characterized in that each of the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms also comprises an outer auxiliary shield mounting portion. According to the first aspect of the present invention, each of left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms comprises an inner auxiliary shield mounting portion and outer auxiliary shield mounting portion in common. Therefore, in spite that the auxiliary shield mounting mechanism has a comparatively simple structure, is less expensive, and provides a good appearance as a whole, either one of the inner auxiliary shield and the outer auxiliary shield can be selectively mounted on the main shield, or both of them can be mounted together on the main shield. Hence, the main shield structure is compatible for a plurality of types of helmets and/or a plurality of types of goggles, which is preferable.
According to the present invention, in the first mode of the first aspect, the inner auxiliary shield mounting portion comprises a first engaging shaft to engage with one of a first engaging notched recess and a first engaging hole of an inner auxiliary shield, and a first removal preventive portion to prevent removal of the first engaging shaft from one of the first engaging notched recess and the first engaging hole, and the outer auxiliary shield mounting portion comprises a second engaging shaft to engage with one of a second engaging notched recess and a second engaging hole of an outer auxiliary shield, and a second removal preventive portion to prevent removal of the second engaging shaft from one of the second engaging notched recess and the second engaging hole. According to the first mode of the first aspect of the present invention, the inner and outer auxiliary shields can be mounted on the main shield easily and reliably.
According to the present invention, in the first case of the first mode of the first aspect, the inner auxiliary shield mounting portion of at least one auxiliary shield mounting mechanism of the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms can be pivotal with respect to the main shield, and the first engaging shaft can comprise a first engaging eccentric shaft eccentric from a pivot center of the inner auxiliary shield mounting portion. According to this first case, the tension of the inner auxiliary shield with respect to the main shield can be adjusted comparatively easily and reliably.
According to the present invention, in the second case of the first mode of the first aspect, the outer auxiliary shield mounting portion of at least one auxiliary shield mounting mechanism of the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms can be pivotal with respect to the main shield, and the second engaging shaft can comprise a second engaging eccentric shaft eccentric from a pivot center of the outer auxiliary shield mounting portion. According to this second case, the tension of the outer auxiliary shield with respect to the main shield can be adjusted comparatively easily and reliably.
According to the present invention, in the first and second cases of the first mode of the first aspect, at least one auxiliary shield mounting mechanism of the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms may comprise the left auxiliary shield mounting mechanism and the right auxiliary shield mounting mechanism.
According to the present invention, in the second mode of the first aspect, at least one auxiliary shield mounting mechanism of the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms can comprise an auxiliary shield holding member including a second recess-projection engaging portion capable of engaging, by recess-projection engagement, with a first recess-projection engaging portion which is stationary with respect to the main shield, the auxiliary shield holding member can comprise an engaging shaft to relatively engage with one of an engaging notched recess and an engaging hole of an auxiliary shield, and a removal preventive portion to prevent removal of the engaging shaft from one of the engaging notched recess and the engaging hole, at least one auxiliary shield mounting portion of the inner auxiliary shield mounting portion and the outer auxiliary shield mounting portion can comprise the engaging shaft and the removal preventive portion, the auxiliary shield holding member can be pivotal with respect to the main shield, the engaging shaft can comprise an engaging eccentric shaft eccentric from a pivot center of the auxiliary shield holding member, and when the auxiliary shield holding member is moved forward in a direction substantially along the pivot center thereof, the second recess-projection engaging portion can disengage from the first recess-projection engaging portion. According to the second mode of the first aspect of the present invention, in at least one auxiliary shield mounting mechanism, the auxiliary shield holding member is pivoted after it is moved forward in a direction substantially along its pivot center, thus adjusting the tension of the auxiliary shield applied by the engaging eccentric shaft. Therefore, the tension of the auxiliary shield will not be adjusted unexpectedly, and can be adjusted accurately and reliably.
Furthermore, the present invention, in its second aspect, relates to a helmet characterized by comprising a shield structure according to the first aspect which is pivotally mounted on a head protecting body. The second aspect of the present invention can provide a helmet that can have the same effect as that achieved by the first aspect of the present invention.
The present invention, in its third aspect, relates to a shield structure for a helmet or goggles, comprising a main shield and left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms which are disposed on the main shield, at least one auxiliary shield mounting mechanism of the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms comprising an auxiliary shield holding member including an engaging shaft to relatively engage with one of an engaging notched recess and an engaging hole of an auxiliary shield and a removal preventive portion to prevent removal of the engaging shaft from one of the engaging notched recess and the engaging hole, characterized in that the auxiliary shield holding member comprises a second recess-projection engaging portion capable of engaging, by recess-projection engagement, with a first recess-projection engaging portion which is stationary with respect to the main shield, the auxiliary shield holding member is pivotal with respect to the main shield, the engaging shaft comprises an engaging eccentric shaft eccentric from a pivot center of the auxiliary shield holding member, and when the auxiliary shield holding member is moved forward in a direction substantially along the pivot center thereof, the second recess-projection engaging portion disengages from the first recess-projection engaging portion. The third aspect of the present invention can provide the same effect as that achieved by the second mode of the first aspect of the present invention.
Furthermore, the present invention, in its fourth aspect, relates to a helmet characterized by comprising a shield structure according to the third aspect which is pivotally mounted on a head protecting body. The fourth aspect of the present invention can provide a helmet that can have the same effect as that achieved by the third aspect of the present invention.
In each of the second mode of the first aspect and the third aspect of the present invention, the first recess-projection engaging portion may substantially form an external gear shape, and the second recess-projection engaging portion may substantially form an internal gear shape. The removal preventive portion may also serve as a manipulation tab which substantially forms an external gear shape. At least one auxiliary shield mounting portion of the inner auxiliary shield mounting portion and the outer auxiliary shield mounting portion may comprise the outer auxiliary shield mounting portion.
In each of the first case of the second mode of the first aspect and the first mode of the third aspect of the present invention, each of the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms can comprise the auxiliary shield holding member including the second recess-projection engaging portion capable of engaging, by recess-projection engagement, with the first recess-projection engaging portion which is stationary with respect to the main shield. Also, according to the first case of the second mode of the first aspect and the first mode of the third aspect of the present invention, in each of the left auxiliary shield mounting mechanism and the right auxiliary shield mounting mechanism, the tension of the auxiliary shield applied by the engaging eccentric shaft can be adjusted. Hence, the tension can be adjusted further accurately and easily.
In each of the second case of the second mode of the first aspect and the second mode of the third aspect of the present invention, at least one auxiliary shield mounting mechanism of the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms can comprise a support shaft member fitted in a mounting hole of the main shield and mounted on the main shield, a first auxiliary shield holding member relatively, pivotally fitted with an inner circumferential surface of the support shaft member, and a second auxiliary shield holding member relatively, pivotally fitted with an outer circumferential surface of the support shaft member, the first auxiliary shield mounting member can comprise a first engaging shaft to relatively engage with one of a first engaging notched recess and a first engaging hole of one of an inner auxiliary shield and an outer auxiliary shield, and a first removal preventive portion to prevent removal of the first engaging shaft from one of the first engaging notched recess and the first engaging hole, and the second auxiliary shield mounting member can comprise a second engaging shaft to relatively engage with one of a second engaging notched recess and a second engaging hole of one of the outer auxiliary shield and the inner auxiliary shield, and a second removal preventive portion to prevent removal of the second engaging shaft from one of the second engaging notched recess and the second engaging hole. Also, according to the second case of the second mode of the first aspect and the second mode of the third aspect of the present invention, the inner auxiliary shield and the outer auxiliary shield can be mounted on the main shield easily and reliably with a comparatively simple arrangement.
In each of the second case of the second mode of the first aspect and the second mode of the third aspect of the present invention, the inner auxiliary shield may comprise an anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield, and the outer auxiliary shield may comprise a mudguard outer auxiliary shield. Also, at least one auxiliary shield mounting mechanism of the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms may comprise the left auxiliary shield mounting mechanism and the right auxiliary shield mounting mechanism.
The above, and other, objects, features and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
One embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the shield structure of a full-face-type helmet will be described in “1. Schematic Arrangement of Helmet as a Whole”, “2. Arrangement of Shield Structure”, “3. Arrangement of Auxiliary Shield Mounting Mechanism” and “4. Operation of Auxiliary Shield Mounting Mechanism” with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1. Schematic Arrangement of Helmet as a Whole
As shown in
Of the head protecting body 2, each of those portions respectively opposing the chin, forehead and the like of the helmet wearer is provided with one or a plurality of ventilators (not shown), as needed, to ventilate the head protecting body 2. Left and right side portions of the shield structure 4 are pivotally mounted to an outer shell 6 constituting the outer wall of the head protecting body 2, with a pair of left and right shield mounting mechanisms (in other words, main shield mounting mechanisms) 5. The main shield mounting mechanisms 5 are not the main part of the present invention, and accordingly will not be described in detail in this DESCRIPTION.
As is known well, the outer shell 6 can be made of a hard material with large strength such as FRP or another synthetic resin. As shown in
2. Arrangement of Shield Structure
As shown in
The anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield 23 shown in
The mudguard outer auxiliary shield 24 shown in
3. Arrangement of Auxiliary Shield Mounting Mechanism
The left auxiliary shield mounting mechanism 22 and the right auxiliary shield mounting mechanism 22 can have substantially the same arrangement. Hence, a description will be made hereinafter on the left auxiliary shield mounting mechanism 22 with reference to
As shown in
In other words, the auxiliary shield mounting mechanism 22 is formed as an assembly of four types of auxiliary shield mounting members including the support shaft member 31, outer auxiliary shield holding member 32, inner auxiliary shield holding member 33 and screw member 35.
As shown in
As shown in
The inner circumferential surface of the hole 45 of the holding member main body 43 has a substantially gear-shaped (more specifically, substantially internal-gear-shaped) recess-projection engaging portion 51 to be adjacent to the step 48 from the front end side of the step 48. The inner circumferential surface of the recess-projection engaging portion 51 has substantially the same shape as that of the outer circumferential surface of the recess-projection engaging portion 41 of the support shaft member 31. When the support shaft member 31 is fitted in the holes 45 and 47 of the outer auxiliary shield holding member 32 from the front end side of the holding member 32, the holding member main body 43 substantially opposes the recess-projection engaging portion 41 of the support shaft member 31, and the cylindrical portion 46 substantially opposes the axial support portion (that is, the portion between the recess-projection engaging portion 41 and thin-walled holding portion 42) 52 of the support shaft member 31, as shown in
The inner auxiliary shield holding member 33 includes an axially supported portion 55 to extend from the front portion toward the center of the inner holding member 33. The axially supported portion 55 is to be fitted in the fitting hole 38 of the support shaft member 31 from the rear end side of the fitting hole 38. The rear end portion of the outer circumferential surface of the axially supported portion 55 forms a circular transcated conical surface 57. The circular transcated conical surface 57 has a substantially circular transcated conical shape with a diameter that gradually decreases from the rear end toward the front end, so as to substantially correspond to the inner circumferential surface of the main shield holding portion 42 of the support shaft member 31. A second circular transcated conical surface 58 having a shape similar to a so-called step is formed at the front end of the circular transcated conical surface 57. The axially supported portion 55 has the hole or threaded hole 34, formed at the front end of the inner auxiliary shield holding member 33, in the form of a blind hole to extend in the axial direction of the axially supported portion 55.
As shown in
Assume that the axial directions of the support shaft member 31 and screw member 35 coincide with a center line (in other words, a common center line) L1. In this case, the axes of the hole 45 of the outer auxiliary shield holding member 32, the recess-projection engaging portion 51, the step 48 and the cylindrical portion 46 substantially coincide with the common center line L1 of the auxiliary shield mounting mechanism 22, as shown in
4. Operation of Auxiliary Shield Mounting Mechanism
An example of a procedure for mounting the auxiliary shield mounting mechanism 22 on the main shield 21 will be described in the following items (a) to (d).
(a) First, as shown in
(b) Subsequently, as shown in
(c) Subsequently, as shown in
(d) Subsequently, as shown in
An example of a procedure for mounting the anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield 23 to the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms 22 mounted on the main shield 21 as shown in
(e) First, as shown in
(f) Assume that the operator wishes to adjust the tension of the anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield 23 mounted on the main shield 21 as described in the above item (e). In this case, first, the operator slightly screws back the screw member 35 of the left and/or right auxiliary shield mounting mechanism 22 from the hole or threaded hole 34 of the inner auxiliary shield holding member 33. Then, the operator holds the removal preventive head portion 63 serving as the manipulation tab as well of the holding member 33 with his two fingers and pivots the removal preventive portion 63 counterclockwise or clockwise through an appropriate angle, thus adjusting the tension of the inner auxiliary shield 23. Then, the operator screws the screw member 35 again sufficiently into the hole or threaded hole 34.
In the shield structure 4 having the arrangement as described above, a sealed space serving as a heat-insulating layer is formed between the outer main shield 21 and inner anti-fogging auxiliary shield 23. This heat-insulating layer can serve to decrease the temperature difference between the inner and outer sides of each of the two shields 21 and 23, thus anti-fogging the main shield 21 and anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield 23. When removing the anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield 23 from the main shield 21, the left and right engaging eccentric shafts 62 may be sequentially, relatively removed from the left and right engaging notched recesses 26, respectively, by performing operation reverse to that for mounting described in the above item (e). Hence, each of the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms 22 includes an inner auxiliary shield mounting portion 66 formed of the engaging eccentric shaft (in other words, the inner shield engaging shaft) 62 and the removal preventive head portion (in other words, the inner shield removal preventive portion) 63 serving as the manipulation tab as well.
An example of a procedure for mounting the mudguard outer auxiliary shield 24 to the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms 22 mounted on the main shield 21 as shown in
(g) First, as shown in
(h) When the operator wishes to adjust the tension of the mudguard outer auxiliary shield 24 mounted on the main shield 21 as described in the above item (g), first, he holds the removal preventive head portion 44 serving also as the manipulation tab of the outer auxiliary shield holding member 32 of the left and/or right auxiliary shield mounting mechanism 22 with his two fingers and pushes it in toward the main shield 21. Accordingly, the large number of springs 53 (in other words, the substantially cylindrical spring mechanism 64) of the holding member 32 are strongly urged against the outer surface of the main shield 21 and are further elastically deformed. Hence, the removal preventive head portion 44 serving also as the manipulation tab moves forward (in other words, moves backward) toward the main shield 21. The recess-projection engaging portion 51 of the holding member 32, which relatively engages with the recess-projection engaging portion 41 of the support shaft member 31 so it is prohibited from pivoting with respect to the support shaft member 31, also moves forward from the recess-projection engaging portion 41 toward the main shield 21. Thus, the recess-projection engaging portion 51 is disengaged from the recess-projection engaging portion 41 and set in a state pivotal with respect to the support shaft member 31 (in other words, in a pivot-unlocked state). Subsequently, the operator pivots the removal preventive head portion 44 serving also as the manipulation tab of the holding member 32 counterclockwise or clockwise through a predetermined angle while holding it with his two fingers, thus adjusting the tension of the outer auxiliary shield 24. After that, the operator releases his fingers from the manipulation tab 44. Note that the recess-projection engaging portion 41 is slightly tapered from the front side toward the rear side (in other words, from the recess-projection engaging portion 41 side toward the axial support portion 52 side). Therefore, upon release of the fingers as described above, even if the recess-projection engaging portion 41 is slightly misaligned from the recess-projection engaging portion 51 in the pivoting direction, it can reliably engage with the recess-projection engaging portion 51 by the elastic restoration force of the large number of springs 53. Even if the recess-projection engaging portion 41 and recess-projection engaging portion 51 are misaligned from each other and do not engage with each other, they can be engaged well with each other by pivoting the manipulation tab 44 slightly.
When the operator wishes to remove the mudguard outer shields 24 from the main shield 21 one by one, he may perform the following operation. More specifically, first, the operator pulls the outermost mudguard outer auxiliary shield 24 substantially forward by holding a portion of it which is close to the left or right end. In this case, the left or right removal preventive head portion 44 of the main shield 21 is relatively extracted from the left or right engaging hole 28 of the mudguard outer auxiliary shield 24. Subsequently, when the operator further pulls the mudguard outer auxiliary shield 24 substantially forward with his hand, the right or left removal preventive head portion 44 of the main shield 21 is also relatively extracted from the right or left engaging hole 28 of the mudguard outer auxiliary shield 24. Hence, where necessary, the mudguard outer auxiliary shields 24 can be completely removed one by one from the main shield 21.
Hence, each of the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms 22 includes an outer auxiliary shield mounting portion 67 formed of the engaging eccentric shaft (in other words, the outer shield engaging shaft) 46 and the removal preventive head portion (in other words, the outer shield removal preventive portion) 44 serving as the manipulation tab as well. In spite that the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms 22 are separate mounting mechanisms, they include the inner auxiliary shield mounting portion 66 and outer auxiliary shield mounting portion 67 in common. According to the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms 22, with the anti-fogging inner auxiliary shield 23 being mounted as shown in
Having described a specific preferred embodiment of this invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
For example, in the embodiment described above, the present invention is applied to the shield structure 4 of the full-face-type helmet 1. However, the present invention can also be applied to the shield structure of a full-face-type helmet serving also as a jet-type helmet in which the chin cover can be raised, a jet-type helmet, a semi-jet-type helmet, or the like, and the shield structure of goggles.
In the above embodiment, the support shaft member 31 is formed separately of the main shield 21. Alternatively, the support shaft member 31 can be formed integrally with the main shield 21.
In the above embodiment, the spring mechanism 64 substantially having the tubular shape such as a cylindrical shape is formed integrally with the outer auxiliary shield holding member 32. Alternatively, the spring mechanism 64 can be a spring mechanism such as a coil spring formed separately of the holding member 32, or any other elastic biasing means.
In the above embodiment, the left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms 22 are disposed on the main shield 21. However, the number of auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms 22 to be disposed on the main shield 21 need not be two. Another auxiliary shield mounting mechanism 22 can also be disposed near the upper and/or lower end of the center of the main shield 21.
In the above embodiment, the inner auxiliary shield 23 serves as an anti-fogging member, and the outer auxiliary shield 24 serves as a mudguard member. However, the inner and outer auxiliary shields 23 and 24 need not have these functions. For example, the outer auxiliary shield 24 may serve as an anti-fogging member, and the inner auxiliary shield 23 may serve as a mudguard member.
In the above embodiment, the recess-projection engaging portion 41 of the support shaft member 31 and the recess-projection engaging portion 51 of the outer auxiliary shield holding member 32 form substantially gear shapes (in other words, a substantially external-gear shape and a substantially internal-gear shape, respectively) each having a large number of projections and a large number of recesses. Alternatively, either one of the pair of recess-projection engaging portions 41 and 51 may have a large number of projections, and the remaining one of the pair of removal preventive portions 44 and 51 may have a large number of recesses corresponding to the large number of projections, respectively. It suffices as far as the pair of recess-projection engaging portions 41 and 51 can engage with each other by recess-projection engagement.
In the above embodiment, the inner auxiliary shield 23 is provided with the pair of left and right engaging notched recesses 26, and the outer auxiliary shield 24 is provided with the pair of left and right engaging holes 28. Alternatively, the inner auxiliary shield 23 can be provided with the left and/or right engaging hole 28, and the outer auxiliary shield 24 can be provided with the left and/or right engaging notched recess 26.
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the holding member 32 serves as the outer auxiliary shield, and the holding member 33 serves as the inner auxiliary shield. Alternatively, the front and rear sides of the auxiliary shield mounting mechanism 22 may be reversed, so that the holding member 32 serves as the inner auxiliary shield and the holding member 33 serves as the outer auxiliary shield.
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| 2008-151847 | Jun 2008 | JP | national |
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