Protective helmet

The invention relates to a protective helmet (10), particularly for motorcyclists or the like, having an exterior casing particularly configured as an exterior shell (11), and a lining element arrangement (12), which is received in the exterior casing and lines the same at least in some regions, wherein the lining element arrangement (12) has at least two lining elements, wherein at least one lining element is configured as a cushion element (14) filled with filling bodies (21), and at least one further lining element is configured as a lining shell element (17), wherein the cushion element (14) is surrounded at least along its contour by at least one lining shell element (17), which at least partially supports a contour surface of the cushion element (14).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 35 U.S.C. 371 national stage filing from International Application No. PCT/EP2007/009311 filed Oct. 26, 2007, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2006 053 369.0, filed Nov. 10, 2006, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The invention relates to a protective helmet, particularly for motorcyclists or the like, having an exterior casing configured as an exterior shell, and a lining element arrangement, which is received in the exterior casing and lines the same in at least some regions, wherein the lining element arrangement has at least two lining elements.

Protective helmets of the aforementioned type normally have a hard exterior shell, a relatively soft, shock-absorbing interior shell, and a resilient padding. The exterior shell assumes here the function of a protective casing of the interior shell formed as the lining. Through the exterior shell, collision shocks are transmitted into the lining and are substantially absorbed by means of an irreversible deformation of the lining. Typically, lining elements of a protective helmet hence consist of a foamed plastic such as, for example, polystyrene. To achieve a protective effect which is as good as possible, it is particularly important that the interior lining surrounds the head of the helmet user in a preferably tight-fitting manner. Since in industrial series, only certain standard sizes of linings can be manufactured cost-efficiently and, on the other hand, different skull geometries exist, the optimal fit of a protective helmet is hard to realize. When customizing a new protective helmet there is hence the problem to realize a tight but still comfortable fit of the helmet on the head of the helmet user. An irregular fit of the protective helmet results frequently in the fact that unpleasant pressure marks are felt when wearing the helmet for a longer period, which can result in head aches for the helmet user.

From the prior art, protective helmets are known which have an interior helmet lining that is adaptable to the individual head shape by means of the use of deformable linings such as, for example, air cushions and gel cushions. Since liquids are incompressible to a large extent, and gases, on the other hand, have a high compressibility, such interior helmet linings are particularly disadvantageous with respect to shock absorption. Further, the displacement effect and the internal pressure of flexible and gas-filled lining elements are difficult to control. Potential leaks and pressure losses can reduce the protective effect of such a helmet.

From DE 44 09 839 C2, a protective helmet is known which has a lining consisting of cushion segments filled with elastic filling bodies. The cushion segments adapt to the head shape when placing the protective helmet on the head, and are evacuated upon the correct fit of the protective helmet by means of a vacuum pump. Thereby, the elastic filling bodies of the cushion segments are fixed to a large extent in their position, whereby a dimensionally stable interior helmet lining is obtained which is adapted to the head shape.

To achieve a satisfying user comfort of the protective helmet, the cushion segments must be manually evacuated on the backside of the helmet by means of a vacuum pump after placing the helmet on the head, and before taking-off the helmet, air has to be fed again to the cushion segments.

The present invention is hence based on the object to propose a protective helmet which ensures a firm, tight fit of the protective helmet, considers individual adaptation options, avoids unhealthful pressure marks on the head of the user, and, at the same time, has good shock-absorbing characteristics as well as a simple structure and is hence cost-efficient with respect to manufacturing.

This object is achieved by means of a protective helmet with the features of claim1.

The protective helmet comprises an exterior casing configured as an exterior shell and a lining arrangement, which is received in the exterior casing and lines the same at least in some regions, wherein the lining element arrangement has at least two lining elements. At least one of the lining elements is configured as a cushion element filled with filling bodies, which said cushion element adapts in an advantageous manner to the head shape, thereby helping to avoid pressure marks. The cushion element can be filled with substantially spherical filling bodies. The characteristics of the cushion element with respect to damping and shock absorption can be influenced in an advantageous manner by means of filling bodies with elastic characteristics, the size of the filling bodies, the simultaneous use of differently sized filling bodies, the addition of fibers, and the thickness of the cushion element itself. At least one further lining element is configured as a lining shell element. It has been proven to be particularly advantageous when the lining shell element consists of a dimensionally stable, foamed plastic with very good shock-absorbing characteristics. To prevent a lateral shifting movement of the cushion element during a collision shock, the cushion element is surrounded at least along its contour or along its outer edge surface, respectively, by at least one lining shell element. The lining shell element encloses, and thus, supports the outer contour or edge surface, respectively, of the cushion element so that it cannot expand sideways and is kept in a dimensionally stable position, even during a collision shock. This allows a substantially full shock absorption by means of the filling bodies of the cushion element.

The protective helmet according to the invention can have a plurality of cushion elements which, at least in the region of the forehead, the temples, and the back of the head of the helmet user, are arranged opposite to each other. This arrangement is of particular advantage since, by means of a tight contact of the helmet with the aforementioned areas of the head, a particularly good fit of the helmet can be achieved. By means of deformable cushion elements and the uniform fit of the same on the head of the helmet user, the aforementioned areas of the head can be protected against unhealthful pressure peaks. Thereby, a tight but still comfortable fit of the helmet can be realized with good shock-absorbing characteristics on the important contact areas of the head.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the lining shell element can be formed from a plurality of lining shell segments. By using a plurality of lining shell segments, the assembly of the lining elements within the exterior shell of the helmet is significantly simplified. Hence, a cushion element can be enclosed by a plurality of lining shell segments. By means of an advantageous shaping of the lining shell segments, a closed, form-fitting lining element arrangement can be formed within the exterior shell of the helmet. Thereby, if necessary, a fixation of the lining elements within the exterior casing by means of adhesive material can be omitted.

A cushion element received in a lining shell element can project from the lining shell element's surface facing towards the head of the helmet user. This is particularly advantageous when the projecting surface of the cushion element is easily deformable and resilient and hence results in a good adaptation of the cushion element to the head of the helmet user.

To fix the cushion element in its intended position and to secure it against rotating, it is particularly advantageous when the cushion element forms a contour describing a polygonal shape. With the exception of a circular shape, all other contour shapes can be suitable to ensure rotation prevention of the cushion element.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cushion element is ventilated by means of a ventilation device in such a manner that upon applying pressure from outside on the cushion element, the air present within the cushion element is pressed outwards. The adaptation of the cushion element to the head of the helmet user can be facilitated in that between the filling bodies within the cushion element, an intermediate air space exists, which ensures a good movability of the filling bodies. By a reduction of the intermediate air space between the filling bodies by means of a ventilation device when placing the protective helmet on the head, the filling bodies are brought into a dimensionally stable position by mutual contact. Thus, a dimensionally stable adaptation of the cushion element to the head surface can be ensured.

An advantageous variant of the ventilation device consists in configuring the ventilation device as an air-porous cushion element wall. Further, the ventilation device can be configured as a ventilation duct system, wherein by means of a connection of the cushion elements via the ventilation duct system, also the sequence of the ventilation of the cushion elements can be controlled. Thus, in particular during placement the helmet on the head, a simultaneous, relatively uniform adaptation of the cushion elements to the head surface can be ensured. In a further advantageous embodiment, the ventilation duct system can have a check valve which is preferably formed on the exterior casing and which prevents the backflow of air pushed out of the cushion elements. Thus, the shape of the cushion elements adapted to the head shape can be fixed in a long-lasting manner. Further, potential reset forces of the filling bodies affecting the head surface can also be blocked.

It is proven to be particularly advantageous when at least one further lining element is configured as a padding element which is arranged between the head of the helmet user and further lining elements which are received within the exterior casing. The padding element can have different cover layers or functional layers, respectively, which ensure a bonding of the padding element, a humidity transport, ventilation, and pleasant wearing comfort. The padding element can provide for a continuous transition between the rest of the lining elements and, for this purpose, can be formed in different thicknesses, and, as a whole, can consist of a plurality of individual padding elements.

Further embodiments of the protective helmet according to the invention can be configured with differently formed, replaceable cushion and padding elements for the individual adaptation to the respective head shape. A cushion element can also be received by a lining element in such a manner that all surfaces of the cushion element, except for the surface which is facing towards the head of the helmet user, are surrounded by the lining shell element. Here, it is proven to be particularly advantageous that the lining shell element is formed between the cushion element and an exterior shell of the helmet. Thus, depending on the thickness of the lining shell element in the region of the cushion element, the cushion element can be received in different thicknesses within the lining shell element.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawing.

FIG. 1shows a protective helmet10which, for a better illustration, is shown in a sectional view with its exterior casing configured as an exterior shell11and with a lining element arrangement12received therein. The protective helmet10which is shown here placed on the head13of a helmet user concerns a full-face helmet for a motorcyclist. This helmet could also be designed as a jet helmet or as a half-face helmet. In addition, in particular with respect to the configuration of the exterior shell11, lighter embodiments are conceivable, which are used, for example, for different winter sports or by bicyclists.

Irrespective of the design of the exterior shell11, in any case, a lining element arrangement12is provided which, in this exemplary embodiment, is composed of cushion elements14and15, as well as a padding element16, and a lining shell element17surrounding the cushion elements. The lining shell element17covers here substantially an interior surface20of the exterior shell11, except for the areas which are covered by the cushion elements14and15. The cushion elements14and15are surrounded along their contour surface18or19, respectively, by the lining shell element17and are supported along this surface by the lining shell element17. Further cushion elements, which are not shown in more detail here, are arranged in the temple areas of the head13. The individual cushion elements14and15are filled with a plurality of elastic filling bodies21, wherein the filling bodies, due to air inside the cushion element, are moveable with respect to each other. Thereby, a limited resilient and barely elastic surface of the cushion elements14and15is created, which surface is facing towards the head13.

To ensure pleasant wearing comfort of the protective helmet10, the lining element arrangement12has a padding element16on its side facing towards the head13, which padding element, in this exemplary embodiment, consists of functional material layers, which are not shown in more detail here, and is connected, by means of a glue layer configured as an adhesive layer22, with other lining elements of the lining element arrangement12. A further glue layer configured as an adhesive layer23on the interior surface20of the exterior shell11connects the lining shell element17and the cushion elements14and15with the exterior shell11.

Irrespective of the illustration shown in this exemplary embodiment, the lining shell element17can consist of a plurality of lining shell segments and can be firmly received within the exterior shell11in a form-fitting manner or by means of a detachable, force-locked connection.

FIG. 2shows a protective helmet24in a partial sectional view of the exterior shell11and with completely formed cushion elements25,26, and27. Here, the cushion element25is arranged in the area of the forehead, the cushion element26is arranged in the area of the back of the head, and the cushion element27is arranged in the area of the temple of the head13. A further cushion element is arranged on the side (not shown) of the head13opposing the cushion element27. Here, within their contour28,29,30, the cushion elements25,26,27substantially cover the aforementioned areas of the head13with the surface facing towards the head13. Due to their flexible material characteristics, the cushion elements25,26,27adapt to a lining space31formed between the exterior shell11and the head13. The contour28,29,30describes here different free-forms which correspond thereto. Further, corresponding to the distance between the exterior shell11and the head13, the thickness of the cushion elements25,26,27can vary.

The cushion element14shown inFIG. 1is illustrated inFIG. 3in a sectional view along a line III-III ofFIG. 1. The cushion element14consists of a cushion element wall32which forms the outer casing of the cushion element14, a ventilation device33, and elastic filling bodies34which completely fill an interior35of the cushion element14. In this exemplary embodiment, the cushion element wall32is connected with a hose36which represents a part of the ventilation device33, wherein the hose36is integrated in a recess37within the lining shell element17. In its further route, the hose36is connected to a check valve which is not shown in this illustration. Overall, the cushion element14is surrounded by the lining element17along a contour surface38, wherein the contour surface38is arranged adjacent to a support surface39or abuts against it, respectively, and the support surface39is formed by a recess40within the lining shell element17. When, as a result of a collision shock, a surface pressure is applied perpendicular to the drawing plane onto the cushion element14, a displacement of the air within the interior35through the hose36, and a densification of the filling bodies34as well as an application of supporting forces via the contour surface38onto the supporting surface39of the lining shell element17or the interior surface20of the exterior shell11, respectively, as shown inFIG. 1, take place. Thus, the cushion element14as a whole is kept in a substantially dimensionally stable position, whereby its shock-absorbing material characteristics can be fully utilized.

A further embodiment of a cushion element41is shown inFIG. 4. Here, a cushion element wall42is formed in a free-form corresponding to a contour surface43so that the cushion element41cannot rotate within a recess44of a lining shell element45. Further, due to the free-form, a surface-optimized adaptation to an area of a head (not shown here) is possible.

FIG. 5shows an exterior shell46in a sectional view and a lining element arrangement47of a protective helmet48in a sectional view along a section line V-V inFIG. 3. The lining element arrangement47consists of a lining shell element49, which encloses a cushion element50along a contour surface51, and a padding element52, which covers the cushion element50and the lining shell element49on the side facing towards the head (not shown here) substantially over the whole surface. The padding element52, in turn, has different functional material layers such as a glue connection configured as an adhesive layer53, a padding54configured as a ventilation- and humidity-controlling layer, and a fleece layer55which increases the wearing comfort and which is in direct contact with the head surface. The padding element52compensates here for potential height differences between the surfaces of the cushion element50facing towards the head and the lining shell element49.

The cushion element50has a cushion element wall56and a cushion element closing wall57which are continuously welded in a contact area58, and which receive, within an interior50surrounded by the cushion element walls56,57, a plurality of substantially elastic, round filling bodies60. The filling bodies60fill the whole interior59completely, except for the air space between the filling bodies abutting against each other. The cushion element walls56,57are formed by an elastic and pressure-resistant plastic material. Deviating from the filling bodies60made of plastic illustrated in this exemplary embodiment, these filling bodies can also consist of other suitable materials, can be influenced by means of admixtures of plastic fibers with respect to their moving characteristics, can consist of filling bodies with different sizes, or can be formed in all different shapes.

FIG. 6shows a protective helmet61according to the illustration of a protective helmet inFIG. 2, wherein cushion elements62,63,64are interconnected by means of hoses65and66as part of a ventilation system. Also part of the ventilation system is a hose67, which runs through a penetration68in an exterior shell69of the protective helmet61towards the outside and is connected there with a check valve70. During placement of the protective helmet61onto the head13, the check valve70has the function to feed the air enclosed inside the cushion elements62,63,64towards the outside and to prevent the air from re-entering into the cushion elements. The hoses65,66,67serve here for conveying or discharging the air to the check valve, respectively. Moreover, the check valve70has the function, by means of a simple manual handling, to allow outside air to flow through the ventilation system back again into the cushion elements62,63,64. This can be necessary, in particular, when the protective helmet61is taken off the head13of the helmet user and a re-adaptation or new adaptation, respectively, of the protective helmet61to the head of a helmet user is to be carried out.