Abstract:
A visor having a curved transparent plate includes a photochromic material layer detachably mounted on the transparent plate. The photochromic material layer including a photochromic pigment is provided at the convex outer side of the transparent plate and a seal element is provided at a location to maintain a certain spacing between the transparent plate and the photochromic material layer and to prevent water ingress between the two surfaces. An anti-scratch coating is applied at an outer side of the photochromic material layer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/520,722, filed on Oct. 30, 2009, which is a U.S. national stage application of PCT/NL2007/050672, filed on Dec. 19, 2007 and which claims priority from NL-1033103 filed on Dec. 21, 2006, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a visor comprising at least one transparent plate. The present invention further relates to a helmet provided with such a visor. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0003]    Such a visor, for example for a helmet, a window, goggles or another surface is generally known. Furthermore, visors are known for use in, for example, windows of cars, ships, etc., and for helmets, for example for motorcyclists, pilots and personnel of emergency services such as the police or the army, which visors are provided with a slightly tinted material so as to provide some protection, in particular against radiance and excessive sunlight, in particular against the ultraviolet or UV radiation component thereof. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A drawback of the known visors is the fact that they stop a certain amount of radiation under all conditions, also in those conditions, such as twilight, in which by nature comparatively little light is available anyhow. In such cases the known visor makes it more difficult to distinguish objects and reduces visibility, which has an adverse effect on traffic safety. 
         [0005]    The object of the present invention is to provide a visor which contributes more to traffic safety and which has optical properties which are optimal for the user in all light conditions. 
         [0006]    In order to accomplish that object, in the visor according to the invention comprises at least one curved transparent plate having a convex outer side and a concave inner side; a photochromic material layer is detachably mounted on the transparent plate, wherein the photochromic material layer is provided at the convex outer side of the transparent plate; a seal element which seal element is provided at a location to maintain a certain spacing between the transparent plate and the photochromic material layer and to prevent water ingress between the two surfaces, wherein the photochromic material layer comprises a photochromic pigment; and an anti-scratch coating applied at an outer side of the photochromic material layer. 
         [0007]    The advantage of the visor according to the invention is that, unlike the known visor, it does not block a fixed amount of radiation, but that its ability to transmit light automatically varies in such a way that less light is transmitted to the user&#39;s eyes as more light is incident on the part of the transparent light that comprises the light-sensitive material. In practice the aim is to allow a specific amount of light to reach the eye, irrespective of the actual amount of light incident on the outer side of the visor, which specific amount is optimally geared to the average or, if desired, the individual properties of the human eye as regards the sensitivity to light thereof 
         [0008]    In addition, it is no longer necessary to buy and fit a separate dark visor to replace the transparent visor. 
         [0009]    The photochromic material layer may have the property that less visible and/or UV light is transmitted through the photochromic material layer as more light and/or UV light is incident thereon. 
         [0010]    The photochromic material layer may be provided on or within at least part of a field of vision or viewing portion of said plate. 
         [0011]    At least one of the transparent plate and the photochromic material layer can comprise polycarbonate. Such polycarbonate plastic is interesting for financial (price) reasons and is easy to bend manually, so that several (in particular non-permanent) types of fastening means and methods become practically feasible. This is important with a view to realizing the adaptations to previously sold helmets that consumers may require, so that said consumers can provide said helmets with light-sensitive features themselves, i.e. for the so-called after-sales markets and for do-it-yourself kits. For the so-called OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) market especially the permanent variant, which has already been pre-bent at the factory, is advantageous. 
         [0012]    A fastener may be provided for fastening the photochromic material layer to the outer surface of the transparent plate, and can comprise one of: a clamp, tension, snap, clip, hook and loop, pin, or magnet fastening system, or adhesive. 
         [0013]    The material provided on the outer side of the visor may be provided with an anti-scratch coating which is water repellent or which prevents the visor from misting up. 
         [0014]    The visor and the helmet according to the present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures below, in which like parts are provided with the same numerals. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    In the drawings: 
           [0016]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are top plan views of embodiments of visors according to the present invention which are provided with a permanent layer of a photo-sensitive material, which visors can be manufactured in various ways; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C show examples of visors on which the photosensitive layer is removably provided; and 
           [0018]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  are top plan views of further embodiments of the detachable visor, in which the photosensitive layer is spaced from the transparent plate by a short distance in the assembled condition of the visor. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  each show a top plan view of a shield or visor  1 , which usually protects the face, which can be detachably or undetachably connected to a helmet, a mask or generally a head covering (not shown). The visor  1  comprises a transparent plate  2 , which is bent in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , generally a two- or three-dimensionally bent plate, which plate, when used on a helmet, will usually be made of a flexible, transparent plastic, such as polycarbonate, by thermal molding or injection-molding. The plate  2  has an inner side  3 , which faces towards the helmet or the user, and an outer side  4 . 
         [0020]    In the embodiment that is shown in  FIG. 1A , a recess  5  has been formed in the outer side  4 , the depth of said recess being equal to the thickness of the layer  6  of a light-sensitive material (yet to be explained hereinafter), so that the surface at the front side of the visor  1  is flat, which reduces the occurrence of local turbulence which may be accompanied by objectionable whistling sounds or noise while riding. If desired, the layer  6  may merge into a sun visor in the outward direction. When the polycarbonate is being injection-molded, the pre-formed layer of material  6  can be melted in place in the recess  5 . The advantage of this is that no water or moisture can penetrate between the various layers, which are thus closely packed together, but that there will be no trapped air bubbles, either, so that light can reach the eye without any optical interference. 
         [0021]    The recess is preferably limited to an effective field of vision or viewing portion of the plate  2 . If desired, a motorcyclist can look past said portion when there is not enough light available temporarily, for example upon driving into a tunnel. 
         [0022]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 1B , too, the layer  6  of light-sensitive material is permanently provided on the outer side  4  of the transparent plate  2 . In this embodiment the layer  6  of material, which preferably has a minimum thickness of only 0.5 mm, has been applied to the plate  2  during or after the injection-molding process, in the latter case by means of a suitable vacuum technique. In view of the cost price of the light-sensitive material, which material will be explained hereinafter, the dimensions of the layer  6  of material will be limited to those of the field of vision or viewing portion of the plate  2 . 
         [0023]    Suitable ways of permanently combining the plate  2  and the layer  6  are: injection molding or casting, thermal molding, gluing or laminating. 
         [0024]    As regards said laminating, the photosensitive material may also be laminated between two transparent layers of plastic material, preferably polycarbonate. Usually this takes place by means of a combination of a thermal treatment and a pressure treatment, followed by a treatment in a furnace so as to realize the desired two- or three-dimensional shape. Said sandwich will have a thickness of about 0.5 mm in that case, comprising two polycarbonate layers each having a thickness of 0.2 mm, between which a laminate or glue is provided in a thickness of 0.1 mm. In this way very little of the costly photosensitive material is used in the intermediate layer, which is advantageous. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and the detail of  FIG. 2C  show embodiments in which the layer  6  of photosensitive material, possibly in the form of a laminate or a film, is detachably provided on the outer side  4  of the transparent plate  2 . The visor  1  is provided with fastening means  7  in that case, for example in the form of a clamp, tension, snap, clip, pin, or magnet fastening system, or of single- or double-sided adhesive means. An example of this is shown in  FIG. 2A , in which Velcro  7  is affixed to the plate  2  and the layer  6  of photosensitive material. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2B , this manner of attachment is combined with a snap connection  7 - 1 ,  7 - 2  as shown in more detail in  FIG. 2C , which is connected or molded to the layer  6  and which makes it possible to detach the layer  6  from the plate  2 . 
         [0026]    In an embodiment that is not shown in the figures, the embodiment of  FIG. 2A  is provided with Velcro in several places, and holes may have been formed both in the plate  2  and in the layer  6 , if desired, for receiving the pins, thus making it possible to detach the layer  6  from the plate  2 . The plate  2  may in turn be detachable or pivotable with respect to the helmet, as the embodiment of  FIG. 3A  (yet to be explained) shows. Important is in any case that the layer which comprises the photosensitive material is detachable and that the layer  6  can be secured to the plate  2  with sufficient mechanical tension. To that end clamping means may be provided, which may be eccentric and rotatable, for example, and to which the layer  6  is connected, which layer can subsequently be pulled tight on the plate  6  under tension, for example by rotating a pin. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are top plan views of two embodiments of the visor  1 , in which the layer  6  of photosensitive material is kept spaced from the transparent plate  2  by a short distance by means of pins  7 - 3  and  7 - 4  ( FIG. 3A ). Present between the plate  2  and the layer  6 , in particular round the pins  7 - 3  and  7 - 4 , is an elastic element  8 , for example in the form of a ring, which, in compressed condition, exerts a pressure on the plate  2  and the layer  6 , thus ensuring water-tightness around the pins. The element  8 , which functions as a spacer between the transparent plate  2  and the photosensitive layer  6 , is preferably configured as a dry, non-adhesive, flexible silicone seal which may extend over at least part, possibly even the whole, of the circumferential edges of the photosensitive layer  6 . This achieves that the visor  1  is water-tight all around, whilst the flexible seal prevents the occurrence of mechanical point loads by distributing the tensions. 
         [0028]    In the embodiment that is shown in  FIG. 3A , separable pins, i.e. pins that can be detached from each other, for example configured with male and corresponding female connecting elements, make it possible to detach the layer  6  from the plate  2 . The flexible, dry, transparent element  8  prevents the ingress of air, water, moisture and dirt in that case and prevents the plate  2  and the layer  6  from moving undesirably relative to each other under the influence of the wind when driving. 
         [0029]    In the embodiment that is shown in  FIG. 3B , the layer  6  is detachably provided on an extension  9  of the transparent plate  2 . The element  8 , which forms a practically cured silicone seal in that case, on the one hand maintains a certain spacing between the plate  2  and the layer  6  in that case, also when the wind exerts a pressure force on the layer  6  when driving, whilst on the other hand said element  8  thus prevents the plate  2  and the layer  6  from flapping and beating together, so that there will be no damage and/or wear. The use of the silicone seal furthermore prevents the occurrence of so-called Newton rings. 
         [0030]    In the case of the non-permanent, i.e. detachable or removable variants it is generally not necessary to buy a new helmet or a new visor and nevertheless benefit from the light-sensitivity. After all, the existing helmet may be fitted with a new visor exhibiting the light-sensitive characteristic, or the old visor may be exchanged for the new visor temporarily or permanently. Not only does this have a cost-saving effect, but it also leads to less wear, because it is possible in that case to use the new visor only in situations in which the rider considers this necessary in view of the weather conditions. Possibly, a permanent layer of light-sensitive material may be provided once-only on the visor  1  by means of foam or acrylic tape in the field of vision of an existing visor  1 . The light-sensitive, in particular UV-sensitive layer  6  comprises (photochromatic) pigments, which have the property that they are photosensitive and regulate the amount of light transmitted, especially UV light, in dependence on the amount of visible light and/or UV light incident thereon. In that case the layer  6  is transparent in unexposed, deactivated condition. In particular UV light-intensity-activated, light-blocking pigments are commercially available. For example, to form the layer  6 , a pigment mixed with a suitable liquid is applied to a transparent substrate or is integral with the substrate itself, or a pigment-containing film is glued to the substrate, or the pigment or pigment mixture is mixed with the glue itself in a laminating process. The properties of the layer  6  of photosensitive material to be finally obtained must meet the stringent European Public Road Safety Regulations. 
         [0031]    A pigment which is suitable for use in the visor  1  is a so-called “base grey” pigment, which consists of three mixed base color, light-sensitive pigments. In non-UV-activated condition the light transmission thereof is at least 90%, and it meets all the safety regulations for a safe use also at night or when unexpectedly driving into a badly lit or unlit tunnel. The pigment layer that regulates the transmission of light above 380 nm is preferably minimally 0.1 mm thick, it may for example be sandwiched between two polycarbonate layers, each preferably having a thickness of minimally 0.1 mm. Polycarbonate is easy to extrude and process in an injection-molding process. The layer  6  of light-sensitive material thus built up of three layers is easy to form to precisely the required dimensions and shape. This may be done mechanically, but also by the aforesaid thermal molding, using heat and pressure. It stands to reason that combination possibly with other plastics in a laminating-bonding process is possible, in which case the pigment powder is mixed in an amount that matches the desired light-blocking specifications and which, for cost-saving reasons, will be provided only in the field of vision or viewing portion of the visor  1 . 
         [0032]    On the outer side, the visor  1  may be provided with a, preferably water-repellent, anti-scratch film applied to the outer side of the layer  6  of photosensitive material. Furthermore, means which are known per se may be used on the visor  1 , for example to prevent parts of the visor from misting up or becoming moist. 
         [0033]    The helmet and the visor  1  are each provided with length-adjustable connecting means, which are known per se, for being fixedly or detachably connected together. 
         [0034]    Apart from the above-explained sandwich variant and the variant in which the pigment or the pigments are incorporated in the plastic or the polycarbonate, the UV-sensitive or light-sensitive material  6  must be provided on the outer side of the visor  1 , as it would otherwise take too long for the material to adapt its transparency in case of a change in the amount of light incident thereon, which might lead to unsafe situations. It is for that reason that the material is intentionally not provided on the inner side of the visor  1 .