Abstract:
A detachable visor for a helmet incorporates an integrated light unit. The light unit may be detachable. A smooth design is facilitated, and which is particularly suitable for cycle helmets.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a helmet visor particularly though not exclusively for a cycle helmet. The visor incorporates a self-contained light fitting. 
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Safety helmets are used in many kinds of business and leisure. A particular difficulty with helmets is to affix a suitable light source, either to identify the presence of the wearer, or to spread light to permit the wearer to operate in the dark. Prior light sources tend to be stand alone lamps which are tied or otherwise affixed to helmets—this kind of fixing is imprecise and the lamp may wobble. Furthermore, such lamps tend to sit on a helmet as an upward protuberance, and are thus vulnerable to contact damage with low ceilings and the like. 
         [0003]    Particularly in the case of cycle helmets, upstanding lamps are an impediment to smooth air flow. 
         [0004]    What is required is an improved light source for use with a helmet. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to the invention there is provided a helmet visor, said visor having an integrated light source. In a preferred embodiment the light source is forward facing. 
         [0006]    Preferably the visor is attachable to a helmet and detachable from a helmet on demand. 
         [0007]    The invention has the advantage that a lamp integrated within a visor need take up no more space than a conventional plain visor. Furthermore the user may switch from the invention to a plain visor on demand and vice versa. Yet another advantage is that a malfunctioning visor may be replaced as a unit. Moreover a user may switch from a visor incorporating an identification lamp to one providing illumination for working, as desired. The visor of the invention is preferably of a relatively soft flexible plastics material. 
         [0008]    Preferably the visor incorporates a removable lamp unit, so as to facilitate replacement and/or repair. Furthermore the visor may incorporate a removable power pack, for example one or more rechargeable batteries. Alternatively the power pack may be integrated with the visor and have a recharging socket, or recharging leads, or be operable with regular batteries. Alternatively the lamp may include a built-in power supply of any suitable kind. 
         [0009]    In the case of a removable lamp unit, the visor may include a slot, and the lamp unit may include a leg engageable in the slot. Such an arrangement permits the lamp unit to slide into place and be retained against movement other than in the installation/removal direction. In one embodiment, the slot extends generally rearwardly, and the leg of the lamp unit has an enlarged foot at the underside. 
         [0010]    Preferably the lamp unit/visor incorporates a snap-fitting retention latch to retain the lamp unit in the correct position and/or orientation. Other means of locating and/or attaching the lamp unit are possible, and all such means are intended to fall within the scope of the invention. The lamp unit may be attached to the side or to the underside of the visor. 
         [0011]    The light source of the visor may be arranged additionally or alternatively to emit light to one or both sides, and/or upwardly. Where a single light source having different functions is provided, a means of switching between functions may be provided. Multiple light sources may also be switchable on demand. The light source may incorporate a clear or an opaque lens, and may include one or more refractive elements. 
         [0012]    In a preferred embodiment the light source comprises one or more light emitting diodes, preferably white LEDs. The light source preferably includes an integrated on/off switch, and may further include a mode switch whereby the source may provide a constant or a flashing light. Furthermore a variator may be provided to vary lamp intensity. 
         [0013]    The visor is preferably shaped to engage the front periphery of the helmet in order to improve lateral stability thereof. 
         [0014]    In the case of a cycle helmet having ribs, the rear edge of the visor may be serpentine so as to engage in and between said ribs. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment illustrated by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates in side elevation a cycle helmet in use. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view corresponding to  FIG. 1 , but absent a light fitting. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  corresponds to  FIG. 2  and shows an alternative light fitting. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  corresponds to  FIG. 3 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates (in upturned state) a removable light fitting. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates from the underside and the rear another alternative embodiment with removable power pack. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  shows the embodiment of  FIG. 7  from above and the front. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  illustrates another embodiment from the front and above. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  shows the embodiment of  FIG. 9  absent a light fitting. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  illustrates a light fitting for the visor of  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  shows a view of yet a further embodiment from the underside, and 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  shows the embodiment of  FIG. 12  from above and the front. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a cycle helmet  10  comprises a lightweight composite having a relatively hard outer shell and a soft core. A chin strap  11  is adjustable to retain the helmet in place upon a users head  12 . Suitable ventilation openings  13  are defined by ribbing  14  which generally runs from front to back. Various patterns of ribbing and reinforcement may be provided. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate a first embodiment of a visor  21  adapted for fitting to the front of a helmet of the kind illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The visor defines a front peak  22  having a smooth arcuate shape, and has a serpentine rear edge  23  adapted to fit in and around the usual helmet ribbing  14  (illustrated by dotted line). The serpentine rear edge may take any suitable form so as to adapt to a desired helmet shape, and may alternatively be a smooth arcuate edge. A serpentine edge is preferred so as to assist in retaining the visor against relative lateral movement. A peg and slot arrangement is a suitable alternative connection to enhance lateral stability. 
         [0031]    In the approximate centre, the visor includes a light fitting  24 , typically comprising a housing  25 , a lens  26 , an internal power pack (not shown) and a light source, typically one or more light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s). 
         [0032]    The visor and light fitting are typically moulded of suitable plastics materials, such as polycarbonates, which are robust, yet unlikely to cause injury in the event of an accident. The skilled man will be able to determine suitable materials from the wide available range. The visor may be a co-moulding comprising a relatively rigid body and soft front lip. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  illustrates the visor of  FIG. 1  absent the light fitting. A suitable slot  27  for receiving a post mounting of a light fitting (in the direction of arrow  28 ) is provided, and a base plate  29 . The base plate may comprise a male protrusion for retaining the visor to a helmet by co-operation with a suitably shaped female recess. Other fixing systems may be provided, such as press-studs, hook and loop fasteners, and/or any other means which allows secure retention of the visor in use, and detachability. 
         [0034]    The light fitting  24  may be retained by a suitable integral latch, such as a snap-fitting tongue, or be permanently attached by e.g. adhesive or co-moulding. If removable, it will be appreciated that the light fitting is in use trapped between visor and helmet against fore and aft movement. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  illustrates a visor  21  having an alternative lens  31  with individual LED&#39;s  32 . An on/off button  33  is provided at the rear edge. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  corresponds to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 6  shows a removable light fitting  24  in the upturned state, and illustrating the mounting post  34  having an enlarged foot  35 . The post and foot  34 ,  35  has length so as to prevent arcuate movement of the light fitting when in the slot  27 . A latch depression  36  is provided at the rear edge for a snap-fitting latch projection (not shown) of the base plate  29 . An opening  37  at the rear edge allows access for a power pack, such as one or more batteries. 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8  a visor  41  of the general form previously described, has a removable power pack  42  of generally flat rectangular appearance. The nose  43  of the power pack is reduced in size to fit closely within a suitable recess  44  moulded in and through the visor. An integral latch  45  at the rear edge of the power pack  42  is engageable within a suitable recess  46 . The front side of the visor recess  44  may be closed by a lens  47 , which may refract or focus light as desired. A clear lens may show suitable LED&#39;s  48  therethrough. 
         [0038]    With reference to  FIGS. 9-11 , a visor  51  includes a multi-component light fitting  52 , having three light sources  53 ,  54 ,  55  arranged one in each of three adjacent recesses of the serpentine rear edge  56 . 
         [0039]    The visor includes a main fitting slot  57  of the kind illustrated in  FIG. 3 , and a minor fitting slot  58  for each of the endmost light sources. The rim or slots  58  comprises merely location fixing recesses, whereas the main fitting slot  57  typically includes a latch. 
         [0040]    A suitable light fitting is shown in  FIG. 11 , and may comprise an LED as each source  53 - 55 , or for example comprise a single light having fibre optic transmission to the individual lenses. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate a visor  61  having an integrated light fitting adapted to receive a disc battery  62  under a removable cover  63 . A suitable lens  64 , of e.g. clear polycarbonate covers three LED&#39;s  65 . 
         [0042]    The visor of the invention may be mounted or clipped to a helmet in any suitable manner, for example by using one or more male pegs snap-fitting into one or more female recesses. The visor may be removable, or attached in a permanent or semi-permanent manner. 
         [0043]    The power pack may be rechargeable, and include a suitable charging socket or charging leads. The lamp unit may include a solar cell for recharging. Any suitable on-off switch may be used, and the lens may comprise a switch button in order to maintain a smooth external appearance. 
         [0044]    The light fitting of the invention may be adapted to act at a lower output to identify a helmet wearer in low light conditions, or more preferably at a high output to illuminate the area in front of the helmet for the wearer. 
         [0045]    By integrating a light fitting into a visor, weight is minimised. The integrated light fitting also has low wind resistance, which is important in the case of a cycle helmet, and a flush fitting to prevent any upstand which might contact or be damaged as the wearer moves around. 
         [0046]    Although this invention has been described in relation to a cycle helmet, it will be appreciated that it is applicable to other kinds of safety helmet on which visors may be required.