Helmet

Abstract: A helmet (1) comprises a helmet main body (2), an opening portion (3) openable and closable by a shield element (4) pivotably connected to support shaft bodies (5) such that the shield element (4) is rotatable over a set angle about the support shafts (5a) of the support shaft bodies (5). Further, there is provided a helmet shield mounting structure which comprises push means (A) and holding means (B) for holding the shield element (4) which is mountable on the support shafts (5a), on said support shafts (5a) counter to pushing pressure.

Description: The present invention relates to a helmet according to the preamble of independent claim 1. Conventionally, there is a helmet in which an opening portion is provided in the front surface of the helmet main body and which is provided with a transparent shield element which opens or close this opening portion. For example, as described in the disclosure of Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-48665, there is a helmet in which the two left and right end portions of a shield element are mounted in a manner permitting rotation over a set angle about support shafts provided on the two left and right outer surfaces of a helmet main body. However, with a helmet in which a shield element such as this can rotate over a set angle about support shafts, mounting is effected with shield element fitting holes matching support shaft detachment prevention portions, and the shield element can rotate about the support shaft, but if it happens that the fitting holes come to the positions of the detachment prevention portions when the shield element is opened, there is a risk of detachment occurring and the shield element coming off the support shafts. From prior art document EP 0 471 906 A1 a visor mounting structure for a helmet is known. Said visor or shield plate mounting structure for a helmet comprises a supporting cylinder formed on a mounting base plate being fixedly secured to an outer surface of the helmet main body. Said supporting cylinder substantially extends perpendicular with regard to the outer surface of the helmet main body. The visor or shield plate is provided with a cylindrically shaped pivot section, wherein said pivot section is adapted to be fitted in said supporting cylinder such that the shield plate is pivotally fitted on the mounting base plate. Said supporting cylinder of the base plate is provided with locking grooves and the pivot section of the shield plate is provided with locking pawls being adapted to engage with said locking grooves. Said supporting cylinder and said pivot section constitutes a shield plate mounting structure with holding means for holding the shield plate rotatably on support shaft. For sampling and removing the shield plate said holding means comprises a movable clamping member which is movable perpendicular with regard to the central axis of the supporting cylinder. Said clamping member provides a grove which is provided for engagement with a locking pawl of the pivot sections. For sampling the shield plate to the helmet main body the clamping member is pushed by a locking pawl of the pivot section. Said clamping member is moved in order to allow an engagement of the second locking pawl with the groove of said clamping member. After said engagement action the clamping member forms part of the groove structure of the supporting cylinder for holding the shield plate with the locking pawls engaged. In said engagement position the field plate can be easily turned. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a helmet as indicated above, wherein a helmet shield element mounting structure facilitates a simple fitting and removal of the shield element and said shield element being protected against unintentional detachment. According to the present invention said objective is solved by a helmet according to claim 1. According to an advantageous embodiment said push means comprises projections provided at the support shaft and that said holding means comprises flange portions provided on the outer end portions of said support shafts. Further, it is advantageous when left and right end portions of said shield element are mounted in a manner so that they can rotate over said set angle about said support shafts, which are provided at the outer surfaces of the left and right sides of said helmet main body. According to an advantageous and preferred embodiment, shaft cut-out portions are provided in the support shaft bodies in the axial directions of said support shafts, into which shield cut-out portions, which are provided in two left and right end portions of said shield element, are insertable in directions which are approximately at right angles to said support shafts. In order to enhance and ease the mountability of said shield element it is advantageous when said helmet shield mounting structure screws are inserted into first screw holes and second screw holes provided on the axes of said support shafts and on mounting shaft portions, respectively, and support shaft bodies, in which said support shafts are provided, are fixed to said helmet main body by said screws, plural arc holes centering on said support shaft axes are provided around the first screw holes of said support shaft bodies, being portions of said support shafts are provided at the peripheries of said arc holes, and that support shaft cut-out portions are provided at locations which are free of said arc holes. In order to protect the helmet shield mounting structure it is advantageous when the outer surfaces of said support shafts are covered by cover bodies. According to another advantageous embodiment said cover bodies comprise first projections and second projections which are insertable into said arc holes and engagement holes, respectively, and engageable with said support shafts by rotating through said set angle. The shield element can easily be fitted and removed in directions which are approximately at right angles to the support shafts. Since the shield element mounted on the support shafts is held on the support shafts counter to pushing pressure by simple structures consisting of push means and holding means, it does not come off the support shafts even when it is opened or closed. Further, if, for example, cover bodies are provided, a structure in which the shield element can be fitted on and removed even in a state in which the cover bodies are fitted on can easily be produced, and the helmet can be used without problems, since the shield element does not come off even if by any chance the cover bodies come off during traveling. According to another embodiment it is advantageous when the push means are provided on the outer-side surfaces of the helmet main body and are constituted by projections provided at locations which are set distances from the support shafts, said holding means are constituted by flange portions provided at the outer end portions of the support shaf ts, and the shield element is made of elastically deformable material. Since the shield element is formed from elastically deformable material, it can be held on the support shafts by push means and holding means possessing simple structures. Further, its is advantageous when screws are inserted into screw holes provided on the axes of the support shafts and support shaft bodies in which the support shafts are provided are fixed to the helmet main body by these screws, plural arc holes centering on the support shaft axes are provided around screw holes of the support shaft bodies, support shaft bearing portions are provided at the peripheries of these arc holes, the support shaft cut-out portions are provided at locations where the arc holes are not provided, and projections which are inserted in the arc holes and engage the support shafts by rotating through a set angle are provided on cover bodies which cover the outer surfaces of the support shafts. In a state in which the cover bodies that cover the outer surfaces of the support shaft bodies have been removed from the support shaft bodies, since the shield element does not become detached from the support shaft bodies, even when it is opened and closed, and so the positions of the support shaft bodies relative to the helmet main body can be adjusted by removing the cover bodies from the support shaft bodies and loosening or tightening the screws while opening and closing the shield element. Further, the helmet main body, the support shaft body, the shield element and the cover body can be made compact, without waste in the mounting structure. Other preferred embodiments are laid down in further dependent claims. In the following, the present invention is explained in greater detail subject to several embodiments thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: [Fig. 1] This is a side view of a helmet. [Fig. 2] This is a side view of the state in which a shield element is closed. [Fig. 3] This is a side view of the state in which a shield element is opened. [Fig. 4] This is a side view showing a shield element fitted state. [Fig. 5] This is a side view of a support shaft body. [Fig. 6] This is a side view of the shield element. [Fig. 7] This is a side view of a cover body. [Fig. 8] This is a side view of a state in which the shield element and the cover body have been removed. [Fig . 9] This is a cross-sectional view along the line IX-IX of Fig. 8 which shows a state in which the shield element and the cover body are fitted. [Fig. 10] This is a cross-sectional view along the line X-X of Fig. a which shows a state in which the shield element and the cover body are fitted. [Fig. 11] This is a side view along the line XI-XI of Fig. 8 which shows a state in which the shield element and the cover body are fitted. [Fig. 12] This is a cross-section of another form of practice which shows a shield element mounting state. Below, the helmet shield element mounting structure of an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a side view of a helmet, Fig. 2 is a side view of the state in which a shield element is closed, Fig. 3 is a side view of the state in which a shield element is opened, Fig. 4 is a side view showing a shield element fitted state, Fig. 5 is a side view of a support shaft body, Fig. 6 is a side view of the shield element, Fig. 7 is a side view of a cover body, Fig. 8 is a side view of a state in which the shield element and the cover body have been removed, Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view along the line IX-IX of Fig. 8 which shows a state in which the shield element and the cover body are fitted, Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view along the line X-X of Fig. 8 which shows a state in which the shield element and the cover body are fitted, and Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view along the line XI-XI of Fig. 8 which shows a state in which the shield element and the cover body are fitted. Since the portion on the left side and the portion on the right side of a helmet 1 which is used when riding a motor bicycle, etc. are constructed in the same manner, the portion on the left side will be described, and a description of the portion on the right side will be omitted. The helmet 1 has a helmet main body 2, it has an opening portion 3 facing the wearer's face in the front surface of the helmet main body 2, and it is provided with a shield element 4 made of transparent resin which opens and closes this opening portion 3. The shield element 4 is made of elastically deformable material. The two left and right end portions 4a of the shield element 4 are mounted in a manner permitting rotation over a set angle about support shafts 5a of support shaft bodies 5 which are provided on the two outer surfaces on the left and right sides of the helmet main body 2, and the support shaft bodies 5 are covered by cover bodies 6. Like the shield element 4, the support shaft bodies 5 and the cover bodies 6 are made of resin. A support shaft body 5 has a support shaft Sa and a mounting shaft portion 5b, screws 7 and 8 are inserted in screw holes 5c and 5d which are provided on the axes of the support shaft 5a and the mounting shaft portion 5b, and the support shaft body 5 is fixed to the helmet main body 2 by these screws 7 and 8. Plural arc holes 5e which center on the axis of the support shaft 5a are formed around the screw hole 5c of the support shaft 5a of the support shaft body 5. Further, the support shaft body 5 has a support portion 5f near the mounting shaft portion 5b, and an engagement hole 5g is formed in this support portion 5f. A pair of facing projections 6a and a projection 6b are provided at the rear side of the cover body 6 which covers the outer surface of the support shaft body 5. When the projections 6a of the cover body 6 are inserted in the arc holes 5e of the support shaft body 5 and the projection 6b is inserted in the engagement hole 5g of the support shaft body 5, the projection 6b is positioned in contact with a guide slope surface 5m which is formed in continuation to the support portion 5f. When the cover body 6 is rotated over a set angle from this state, the projection 6b slides along the guide slope surface 5m towards the engagement hole 5g, and, at the location of the engagement hole 5g, it falls in and a pawl portion 6b1 of the projection 6b becomes engaged with the engagement hole 5g, and at the same time the projections 6a slide and pawl portions 6a1 engage the arc holes 5e, and so the cover body 6 is simply but surely mounted on the support shaft body 5. Thus, thanks to the guide slope surface 5m of the support shaft body 5, the projection 6b of the cover body 6 comes to be accommodated in the engagement hole 5g smoothly without catching. A cut-out press portion 6c is formed in the cover body 6 by effecting cutting-out leaving a portion, and a projection 6d is formed at the rear side of this press portion 6c. When the press portion 6c is pressed with the finger, the projection 6d pushes the end portion 4a of the shield element 4, and the shield element 4 can be removed from the support shaft body 5. The press portion 6c of the cover body 6 may be made thin, so that it can easily be deformed elastically. A bearing portion 5h is provided at the peripheries of the arc holes 5e of the support shaft body 5, and a shaft cut-out portion 5i is provided in the support shaft 5a in a location where the arc holes 5e are not provided. That is, in the support shaft bodies 5, shaft cut-out portions 5i into which shield cut-out portions 4b which are formed in the left and right end portions 4a of the shield element 4 can be inserted in directions which are approximately at right angles to the support shafts 5a are formed in the support shafts 5a, in portions in the axial directions of the support shafts 5a. Further, a shaft hole 4c for fitting with the support shaft 5a and rotating the shield element 4 is provided in continuation to the shield cut-out portion 4b. The support shaft body 5 is provided with a push means A for pushing in a manner such that the shield element 4 inserted in the shaft cut-out portion 5i of the support shaft 5a is moved to a region of the support shaft 5a other than the shaft cut-out portion 5i. The push means A is provided on the outer surface of the helmet main body and it is constituted by projections 5j and 5k which are provided at positions which are separated by set distances from the support shaft 5a. Further, the support body 5 is provided with a holding means B for holding the shield element 4 pushed by the projections 5j and 5k of the push means A on the support shaft 5a counter to pushing pressure. The holding means B is constituted by a flange portion 5l provided on the outer end portion of the support shaft 5a. When the shield element 4 is pushed in the direction of the arrow as shown in Fig. 4, it can easily be fitted from a direction which is approximately at a right angle to the support shaft 5a of the support shaft body 5 and it can be held on the support shaft 5 by the push means A and holding means B possessing simple structures. That is, the shield element 4 is formed from elastically deformable material, and when it is pushed in, its end portion 4a is pushed by the projections 5j and 5k, the shaft hole 4c of the shield element 4 moves from the position of Fig. 10 (a) in which it engages the shaft cut-out portion 5i of the support shaft 5a to the location of the bearing portion 5h in Fig. 10 (b) and is held by the flange portion 5l provided on the outer-end portion of the support shaft 5a, and the shield element 4 can be opened and closed. A spring means C for producing a retention structure such that the shield element 4 is held at the location of a set angle when it is rotated is formed integrally with the support shaft body 5 made of resin material. The spring means C is constituted by a spring portion 5n which is integrally provided near the support portion 5f of the support shaft body 5. The spring portion 5n is formed with the provision of a cut-out groove 5n2 in a boss portion 5n1, and at its tip-end portion it has a retention portion 5n3 which prevents detachment of the end portion 4a of the shield element 4. The spring portion 5n contacts the outer periphery portion of the end portion 4a of the shield element 4 and is made such that the shield element 4 can be opened and closed smoothly. In this case, the constant of the spring portion 5n is not too large but is made an optimum value. In the support shaft body 5, a stopper for when the shield element 4 is fully open is provided on the spring means C, and in order to ensure a sufficient contact area, the spring portion 5n is installed matching the shape of the outer periphery portion of the end portion of the shield element 4. In order to avoid full opening of the shield element 4 by the wearer of the helmet with excessively large force, one end portion 4d of the shield element 4 initially functions in contact with a projection portion 5o which is provided near the support shaft 5a, and after that the other end portion 4e comes into contact with the stopper of the spring portion 5n. That is, stopping by the first projection portion 5o lets the wearer know that the shield element 4 is already fully open and gives a warning not to impose a large force. Since the shield element 4 fitted on the support shaft 5a is held counter to pushing force on the support shaft 5a by a simple structure consisting of the push means A and holding means B, the shield element 4 does not become detached from the support shaft 5a which is opened and closed. Further, if a cover body 6 is provided, a structure with which the shield element can be removed and fitted even in a state in which the cover body 6 is fitted on can easily be produced, and the helmet 1 can be used without problems since the shield element 4 does not come off even if by any chance the cover body 6 comes off during traveling. For removal of the shield element 4, when the shield element 4 is opened to the fitting position shown in Fig. 4 and the press portion 6c of the cover body 6 is pressed with the finger, the projection 6d at the rear side of the press portion 6c pushes the end portion 4a of the shield element 4, and so there is disengagement from the bearing portion 5h and movement to the location of the shaft cut-out portion 5i as indicated by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 10 (b). Therefore, when the shield element 4 is pulled out, the shaft hole 4c passes through and moves away from the location of the shaft cut-out portion 5i, and so the shield element 4 can easily be fitted on and removed in a state in which the cover body 6 is fitted on the support shaft body 5. In a state in which the cover body 6 that covers the outer surface of the support shaft body 5 has been removed from the support shaft body 5, the shield element 4 does not become detached from the support shaft body 5, even when the shield element 4 is opened and closed, and so the position of the support shaft body 5 relative to the helmet main body 2 can be adjusted by removing the cover body 6 from the support shaft body 5 and loosening or tightening the screws 7 and 8 while opening and closing the shield element 4. Further, the helmet main body 2, support shaft body 5, shield element 4 and cover body 6 can be made compact, without waste in the mounting structure. Fig. 12 is a cross-section of another form of practice which shows a shield element mounting state. In this form of practice, the holding means B is constituted by a plate spring 60. The plate spring 60 is integrally fitted on the support shaft 5a of the support shaft body 5 by clinching, etc. and it can easily be fitted from the outside. As described above, the shield element can easily be fitted and removed in directions which are approximately at right angles to the support shafts. Since the shield element mounted on the support shafts is held on the support shafts counter to pushing pressure by simple structures consisting of push means and holding means, it does not come off the support shafts even when it is opened or closed. Further, if, for example, cover bodies are provided, a structure in which the shield element can be fitted on and removed even in a state in which the cover bodies are fitted on can easily be produced, and the helmet can be used without problems, since the shield element does not come off even if by any chance the cover bodies come off during traveling. Since the shield element is formed from elastically deformable material, it can be held on the support shafts by push means and holding means possessing simple structures. In a state in which the cover bodies that cover the outer surfaces of the support shaft bodies have been removed from the support shaft bodies, the shield element does not become detached from the support shaft bodies, even when it is opened and closed, and so the positions of the support shaft bodies relative to the helmet main body can be adjusted by removing the cover bodies from the support shaft bodies and loosening or tightening the screws while opening and closing the shield element.

Claims: Helmet comprising a helmet main body (2), an opening portion (3) openable and closable by a shield element (4), said shield element (4) being mounted on and pivotably connected to support shaft bodies (5) such that the shield element (4) is rotatable over a set angle about support shafts (5a) of the support shaft bodies (5), and a helmet shield mounting structure comprising holding means (B) for holding the shield element (4) rotatable on the support shafts (5a), characterized in that said helmet shield mounting structure further comprises push means (A) adapted to push the shield element (4) towards the holding means (B) for holding the shield element (4) on the support shafts (5a) counter to pushing pressure on the support shafts (5a). Helmet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said push means (A) comprising projections (5j, 5k) provided at the support shaft (5a) and that said holding means (B) comprising flange portions (5l) provided on the outer end portions of said support shafts (5a). Helmet (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that left and right end portions (4a) of said shield element (4) are mounted in a manner so that they can rotate over said set angle about said support shafts (5a), which are provided at the outer surfaces of the left and right sides of said helmet main body (2). Helmet (1) according to at least one of the proceeding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that shaft cut-out portions (5i) are provided in the support shaft bodies (5) in the axial directions of said support shafts (5a), into which shield cut-out portions (4b), which are provided in two left and right end portions (4a) of said shield element (4), are insertable in directions which are approximately at right angles to said support shafts (5a). Helmet (1) according to at least one of the proceeding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that shaft holes (4c) for fitting said support shafts (5a) and rotating said shield element (4) are provided in continuation of shield cut-out portions (4b). Helmet (1) according to at least one of the proceeding claims 1 to 5 characterized in that said push means (A) are provided such that said shield element (4), which is insertable in support shaft cut-out portions (5i), is movable to regions of said support shafts (5a) other than said support shaft cut-out portions (5i). Helmet (1) according to at least one of the proceeding claims 2 to 6, characterized in that said projections (5j, 5k) of said push means (A) are provided on the outer side surfaces of said helmet main body (2) at locations with predetermined distances from said support shafts (5e). Helmet (1) according to at least one of the proceeding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in said helmet shield mounting structure screws (7, 8) are inserted into first screw holes (5c) and second screw holes (5d) provided on the axes of said support shafts (5a) and on mounting shaft portions (5b), respectively, and support shaft bodies (5), in which said support shafts (5a) are provided, are fixed to said helmet main body (2) by said screws (7,8), plural arc holes (5e) centering on said support shaft axes are provided around the first screw holes (5c) of said support shaft bodies (5), bearing portions (5h) of said support shafts (5a) are provided at the peripheries of said arc holes (5e), and that support shaft cut-out portions (5i) are provided at locations which are free of said arc holes (5e). Helmet (1) according to at least one of the proceeding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the outer surfaces of said support shafts (5a) are covered by cover bodies (6). Helmet (1) according to at least one of the proceeding claims 8 and 9, characterized in that said cover bodies (6) comprising first projections (6a) and second projections (6b) which are insertable into said arc holes (5e) and engagement holes (5g), respectively, and engageable with said support shafts (5a) by rotating through said set angle. Helmet (1) according to at least one of the proceeding claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said shield element (4) is made of elastically deformable material.

Inventors: KUROYANAGI AKIHIRO, KUROYANAGI, AKIHIRO
Applicants: YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD, YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A42B3
IPC codes: A42B3