Patent Publication Number: US-10786032-B2

Title: Skydiving helmet and visor mounting system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The technical field generally relates to a protective helmet adapted for use in various activities and sports such as skydiving and motorcycling, and more specifically relates to a protective helmet having a visor mounting system to prevent inadvertent raising of the visor when wearing the helmet. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Historically, skydiving helmets were submitted to very few safety standards, as practitioners of the sport tended to allocate more importance to comfort and style. However, since the release of full-face skydiving helmets in the early 1990s, drop zones and skydiving centers have been setting pre-requisites relating to the gear (e.g., helmets) that the athletes/jumpers are using. 
     Skydiving helmets are now provided with mechanisms adapted to keep the visors lowered. However, there is still room for improvement, so that these mechanisms can be easily manipulated by the users, while still being able to maintain the visor lowered in high winds and pressure drops, and so that they can maintain their efficiency throughout the helmet&#39;s useful life. 
     There is thus a need for an improved visor mounting/locking system suitable for skydiving helmets. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to a first aspect, a skydiving helmet is provided. The skydiving helmet includes a helmet shell having a front opening and a visor having a lateral mounting section provided with a visor channel. The visor is operable between a lowered position for substantially covering the front opening, and a raised position. The skydiving helmet also has a visor mounting system laterally positioned on the helmet shell which includes a visor retaining pin insertable in the visor channel to pivotally connect the lateral mounting section of the visor to the helmet shell, and a base plate having a locking and guiding cavity formed therein. The locking and guiding cavity including a locking slot and an arcuate guiding section communicating with one another. The visor mounting system also includes a locking element positioned within the locking and guiding cavity operable between an extended configuration for engaging with the locking slot and preventing rotation of the visor, and a retracted configuration for fitting within and moving along the arcuate guiding section, thereby allowing a frontward translation of the visor, away from the helmet front opening, and subsequent rotation of the visor, from the lowered to the raised position. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the visor channel is sized and configured to retain the locking element therein when operating the locking element and/or pivoting the visor. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the visor channel is configured to align with the locking slot when the visor is in the lowered position. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the locking slot is recessed relative to the arcuate guiding section, the sidewalls of the locking slot constraining the motion of the locking element to a translational motion when in the extended configuration. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the locking element is operatively connected to the visor, and the visor is configured to disengage the locking element from the locking slot via a forward translation of the visor. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the arcuate guiding section of the locking and guiding cavity includes a stopper configured to limit movement of the locking element along the arcuate guiding section, thereby limiting rotational movement of the visor when the visor has reached the raised position. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the visor retaining pin has a stem connected to the base plate, and a pin head connected at a distal end of the stem, the pin head being shaped and configured to extend at least partially over the visor channel, thereby retaining the lateral mounting section pivotally connected to the helmet shell. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the locking element comprises a lock head, a lock base, and a resilient member extending between the lock head and lock base, the lock head being shaped and configured for engaging the locking slot; the lock base engaging with the stem of the visor retaining pin, and the resilient member biasing the lock head outwardly, away from the stem, such that it engages the locking slot when aligned therewith. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the visor mounting system includes a hub plate connected to the lateral mounting section of the visor such that moving the hub plate correspondingly moves the visor. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the hub plate is shaped and configured to cover the base plate and the locking element and is further configured to operate the locking element from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration via a forward translation thereof. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the resilient member is a compression spring that limits forward translation of the hub plate. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the hub plate includes a gripping surface to facilitate moving the visor. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the lock head includes a protrusion and the hub plate includes a lock recess for receiving the protrusion and connecting the lock head to the hub plate. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the hub plate includes a pin receiving cavity to receive the pin head therein and allow the pin head to slide and pivot within the pin receiving cavity when moving the hub plate. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the lock base of the locking element has an arcuate sidewall configured to pivot about the stem of the visor retaining pin when moving the locking element along the arcuate guiding section. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the arcuate guiding section of the guiding and locking cavity has an outer perimeter, and a radial distance between the stem and the outer perimeter of the cavity is constant along the arcuate guiding section, whereby when the visor is rotated from the lowered to the raised positions, spacing between the helmet shell and the visor is substantially constant. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the arcuate section has an outer perimeter, and a radial distance between the stem and the outer perimeter varies when moving away from the locking slot, whereby when the visor is rotated from the lowered to the raised positions, spacing between the helmet shell and the visor also varies. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the front opening has a recessed edge configured to block rotation of the visor when the visor is in the lowered position and the locking element is in the extended configuration. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the helmet shell includes air vents positioned below the front opening, near the mouth of the wearer, when in use. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the helmet shell and the base plate are formed as a one-piece unit. 
     According to a second aspect, a visor mounting system for connecting a visor to a skydiving helmet shell is provided. The visor mounting system includes a visor retaining pin engageable with the visor to pivotally connect a lateral section thereof to the helmet shell; a base plate having a locking and guiding cavity formed therein, the locking and guiding cavity including a locking slot and an arcuate guiding section communicating with one another; and a locking element positioned within the locking and guiding cavity, the locking element being operable between an extended configuration for engaging with the locking slot and preventing rotation of the visor, and a retracted configuration for fitting within and moving along the arcuate guiding section, thereby allowing a frontward translation of the visor, away from the helmet front opening, and subsequent rotation of the visor, from the lowered to the raised position. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the locking slot is recessed relative to the arcuate guiding section, and sidewalls of the locking slot constrain motion of the locking element to a translational motion when moved between the extended and the retracted configurations. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the locking element is operatively connected to the visor and is configured to disengage the locking slot upon moving the visor forward. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the arcuate guiding section of the locking and guiding cavity includes a stopper configured to limit movement of the locking element along the arcuate guiding section, thereby limiting rotational movement of the visor when the visor has reached the raised position. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the visor retaining pin has a stem connected to the base plate, and a pin head connected at a distal end of the stem, the pin head being shaped and configured to extend at least partially over the visor channel, thereby retaining the lateral mounting section pivotally connected to the helmet shell. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the locking element includes a lock head, a lock base, and a resilient member extending between the lock head and lock base, the lock head being shaped and configured for engaging the locking slot; the lock base engaging with the stem of the visor retaining pin, and the resilient member biasing the lock head outwardly, away from the stem, such that it engages the locking slot when aligned therewith. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the lock base of the locking element has an arcuate sidewall configured to pivot about the stem of the visor retaining pin when moving the locking element along the arcuate guiding section. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the visor mounting system includes a hub plate connected to the lateral mounting section of the visor such that moving the hub plate correspondingly moves the visor. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the hub plate is shaped and configured to cover the base plate and the locking element and is further configured to operate the locking element from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration via a forward translation thereof. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the resilient member is a compression spring that limits forward translation of the hub plate. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the hub plate includes a gripping surface to facilitate moving the visor. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the lock head includes a protrusion and the hub plate includes a lock recess for receiving the protrusion and connecting the lock head to the hub plate. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the hub plate includes a pin receiving cavity to receive the pin head therein and allow the pin head to slide and pivot within the pin receiving cavity when moving the hub plate. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the arcuate guiding section of the guiding and locking cavity has an outer perimeter, and wherein a radial distance between the stem and the outer perimeter of the cavity is constant along the arcuate guiding section, whereby when the visor is rotated from the lowered to the raised positions, spacing between the helmet shell and the visor is substantially constant. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the arcuate section has an outer perimeter, and wherein a radial distance between the stem and the outer perimeter varies when moving away from the locking slot, whereby when the visor is rotated from the lowered to the raised positions, spacing between the helmet shell and the visor also varies. 
     According to a third aspect, a method of adjusting a visor of a skydiving helmet from a lowered position to a raised position is provided. The skydiving helmet has a visor mounting system having a locking element movable in a locking and guiding cavity and being operable to allow rotation of the visor. The method includes the steps of operating the locking element from an extended configuration to a retracted configuration by moving the visor forward, thereby disengaging the visor from a front opening of the skydiving helmet; and rotating the locking element in the locking and guiding cavity for positioning the visor in a raised position. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the step of moving the visor forward includes manually pushing lateral sections of the visor forward. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a skydiving helmet according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the skydiving helmet shown in  FIG. 1 , showing the visor in a lowered position. 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the skydiving helmet shown in  FIG. 1 , showing the visor in a raised position. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a visor mounting system according to an embodiment, showing various components of the visor mounting system and a lateral mounting section of the visor to which the mounting system connects. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of a base plate of the visor mounting system according to an embodiment, showing a visor retaining pin having a stem and a pin head. 
         FIG. 6A  is a front elevation view of the visor mounting system, showing a locking element in an extended configuration within a locking slot. 
         FIG. 6B  is a side elevation view of the skydiving helmet, showing the position of the visor corresponding to the configuration of the visor mounting system shown in  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7A  is a front elevation view of the visor mounting system, showing the locking element in a retracted configuration and aligned with a locking slot. 
         FIG. 7B  is a side elevation view of the skydiving helmet, showing the position of the visor corresponding to the configuration of the visor mounting system shown in  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 8A  is a front elevation view of the visor mounting system, showing the locking element in a retracted configuration and rotated within an arcuate guiding section. 
         FIG. 8B  is a side elevation view of the skydiving helmet, showing the position of the visor corresponding to the configuration of the visor mounting system shown in  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 9A  is a front elevation view of the visor mounting system, showing the locking element in a retracted configuration and contacting a stopper within the arcuate guiding section. 
         FIG. 9B  is a side elevation view of the skydiving helmet, showing the position of the visor corresponding to the configuration of the visor mounting system shown in  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 10  is a front elevation view of an alternate visor mounting system, showing an arcuate guiding section having an eccentric curve. 
         FIG. 11  is a rear view of a hub plate of the visor mounting system according to an embodiment, showing various cavities for connecting the hub plate to other components. 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of the skydiving helmet according to an embodiment, showing a helmet strap connector. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, it should be noted that the same numerical references refer to similar elements. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several references numbers, not all figures contain references to all the components and features, and references to some components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and features of the present disclosure which are illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures are optional and are given for exemplification purposes only. 
     Furthermore, although the various exemplary embodiments described herein may be used in relation with a skydiving helmet, it is understood that it may be used with other types of helmets, such as motorcycle helmets for example. 
     As will be explained below in relation to various embodiments, a skydiving helmet for protecting a wearer&#39;s head is provided. The skydiving helmet includes a helmet shell having a front opening, and a visor pivotally connected to the helmet shell for selectively covering the front opening. It will be understood that the expressions “visor”, “face shield”, “transparent shield”, or any other variants thereof, may be used interchangeably in the context of the present disclosure. The skydiving helmet further includes a visor mounting system for operatively connecting the visor to the helmet shell. The visor mounting system is configured to prevent rotation of the visor (i.e., lock the visor in place) when the visor covers the front opening and allow rotation of the visor upon operation thereof, as will be explained below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , a skydiving helmet  10  according to a possible embodiment is shown. The skydiving helmet  10  (hereafter simply “helmet”) includes a helmet shell  12  having a front opening  14  (identified in  FIG. 3 ) allowing the wearer to see. The helmet  10  further includes a visor  16  pivotally connected to the helmet shell  12  and operable between a lowered position, as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and a raised position, as seen in  FIG. 3 . When in the lowered position, the visor  16  covers the front opening  14  to protect the wearer&#39;s face and eyes. The helmet  10  is provided with a visor mounting system  100  laterally positioned on the helmet shell  12  for operatively connecting the visor  16  to the helmet shell  12 . More specifically, the visor mounting system  100  is adapted to lock the visor  16  in the lowered position, therefore preventing rotation of the visor  16 , and is operable to allow rotation of the visor  16  in a manner that will be described further below. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the front opening  14  of the helmet shell  12  is provided with a recessed edge  15  shaped and configured to receive an outer edge of the visor  16  thereon. In other words, the visor  16  is adapted to sit/abut on the recessed edge  15  when in the lowered position. As seen in  FIG. 2 , when the visor  16  is engaged with the recessed edge  15 , a shoulder formed by the helmet shell  12  prevents an upward rotation of the visor  16 . As will be described further below, the visor mounting system  100  can be operated to allow the visor  16  to disengage the recessed edge  15 , in a frontward translation of the visor, thereby allowing rotation of the visor  16  in the raised position, once it is moved away from the recessed edge  15 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 4 , the visor mounting system  100  includes various components for operatively connecting the visor  16  to the helmet shell  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the visor mounting system includes a base plate  120 , a visor retaining pin  130 , a locking element  140  and a hub plate  160 . Broadly described, the base plate  120  is adapted to be connected to the helmet shell  12  and has a cavity  122  formed therein for housing the locking element  140 . The visor retaining pin  130  (which is best shown in  FIG. 5 ) is adapted to engage with the visor  16  in a manner allowing at least rotational movement thereof, thereby allowing users to operate the visor  16  between the lowered and the raised positions. Furthermore, the locking element  140  is shaped and configured to be positioned within the cavity  122  of the base plate  120  and cooperate therewith to lock the visor  16  and prevent rotation thereof. Moreover, the locking element  140  can be operated and displaced within the cavity to unlock the visor  16  and allow its rotation. Finally, the hub plate  160  is connected to the visor  16  and positioned over the base plate  120 , the visor retaining pin  130  and the locking element  140  to at least provide protection to these components. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , the visor  16  includes a lateral mounting section  18 , configured to be pivotally connected to the helmet shell  12  via the visor mounting system  100 , and more particularly, via the visor retaining pin  130 . The visor retaining pin  130  can be adapted to engage with the lateral mounting section  18  in a manner allowing at least rotational movement of the lateral mounting section  18 , and thus the visor  16 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral mounting section  18  is provided with a visor channel  20  in which the visor retaining pin  130  can be inserted for operatively (e.g., pivotally) connecting the visor  16  to the helmet shell  12 . In addition, the visor retaining pin  130  can cooperate with the visor channel  20  in a manner allowing translational movement of the visor  16 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the visor retaining pin  130  preferably includes a stem  132  connected to the base plate  120 , and a pin head  134  connected at a distal end of the stem  132 . It is possible for the stem  132  to be removably connected to the base plate  120 , or alternatively formed as a one-piece unit with the base plate  120 , as illustrated. The pin head  134  can be shaped and configured to extend at least partially over the visor channel  20  and the surrounding area of the lateral mounting section  18 . As such, axial movement of the lateral mounting section  18  (e.g., along the axis of the stem, away from the helmet shell) is limited due to the presence of the pin head  134 . In this embodiment, the stem  132  is shaped and sized to be inserted within the visor channel  20  and can move or slide therealong, upon translating the visor  16 . It is appreciated that the lateral mounting section  18  can be adapted to pivot about the stem  132  upon rotation of the visor  16 , although other configurations are possible. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the base plate  120  includes a locking and guiding cavity  122  formed therein for receiving the locking element  140 . As will be described further below, depending on the position of the locking element  140  within the locking and guiding cavity  122 , the visor  16  is either locked or unlocked for respectively preventing or allowing rotation of the visor  16 . In this embodiment, the locking and guiding cavity  122  includes a locking slot  124  and an arcuate guiding section  126  communicating with one another. In some embodiments, it is appreciated that when the locking element  140  is positioned within the locking slot  124 , the visor  16  is locked, and that when the locking element  140  is positioned within the arcuate guiding section  126 , the visor  16  is unlocked. In some embodiments, the base plate  120  is connected to the helmet shell via mechanical fasteners (e.g., screws), although it is appreciated that any other suitable fasteners or fastening means can be used, such as an adhesive for example. Alternatively, it is appreciated that the base plate  120  can be integrally formed with the helmet shell such that the locking and guiding cavity  122  is defined in a thickness of the helmet shell. 
     In this embodiment, the locking element  140  is shaped and configured to engage the locking and guiding cavity  122  of the base plate  120  for either allowing or preventing rotation of the visor  16 . The locking element  140  is thus operable between an extended configuration (as shown in  FIG. 6A ), whereby rotation of the visor  16  is prevented, and a retracted configuration (as in  FIGS. 7A, 8A and 9A ) for allowing rotation of the visor  16 . Preferably, the locking element  140  has an elongated shape, as illustrated, but other configurations are possible. It should thus be understood that the extended configuration corresponds to the visor  16  being locked, and that the retracted configuration corresponds to the visor  16  being unlocked. In this embodiment, the locking element  140  is operatively connected to the visor  16  in a manner such that moving the visor  16  operates the locking element  140  between the extended and retracted configurations. More specifically, moving the visor  16  in a forward translation (i.e., away from the front opening), effectively moves the locking element  140  in the retracted configuration. Preferably, as per the illustrated embodiment, the visor  16  is moved by the user by pushing the hub plate  160  frontwardly, the hub plate and visor being connected together. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 7B , the locking element  140  can be shaped and sized to fit within the visor channel  20  of the lateral mounting section  18 . More particularly, the visor channel  20  is shaped and configured to retain the locking element  140  therein when operating the visor  16  (i.e., between the lowered and raised positions) and/or the locking element  140  (i.e., between the extended and retracted configurations). It should thus be understood that, when pivoting the visor  16 , the locking element  140  correspondingly rotates within the locking and guiding cavity  122 , and more specifically moves along the arcuate guiding section  126 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4 , the locking element  140  can include a lock head  142 , a lock base  144 , and a resilient member  146  extending between the lock head  142  and the lock base  144 . In this embodiment, the lock head  142  is shaped and configured to engage the locking slot  124  for blocking rotational movement of the visor  16 , and the lock base  144  is configured to engage with the stem  132  ( FIG. 5 ) of the visor retaining pin  130 . The lock base  144  also preferably has an arcuate sidewall  145  configured to mate the shape of the retaining pin stem  132 , so as to facilitate pivoting the locking element about the stem. In this embodiment, the arcuate sidewall  145  simply abuts the stem  132  when pivoting about it. However, it is appreciated that the lock base  144  can be pivotally connected to the stem  132  in a manner preventing disengagement of the lock base  144  therefrom. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , and also to  FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, the locking and guiding cavity  122  is preferably provided with a side flange  129  (identified in  FIG. 5 ) and the locking element  140  can include a protruding edge  148  adapted to engage the side flange  129  for preventing accidental disengagement of the locking element  140  from the locking and guiding cavity  122 . More specifically, the side flange  129  is defined along a sidewall of the locking and guiding cavity  122  such that, when the locking element  140  abuts said sidewall, the protruding edge  148  engages the side flange  129  by sliding thereunder. In this embodiment, the protruding edge  148  extends laterally from the lock base  144  and/or the lock head  142 , although it is appreciated that other configurations are possible. 
     In this embodiment, the resilient element  146  is adapted to bias the lock head  142  outwardly (e.g., away from the stem  132 ) such that the lock head  142  engages the locking slot  124  when aligned therewith. In addition, the resilient element  146  can be adapted to bias the lock base  144  towards the stem  132  to maintain the lock base  144  engaged therewith. In the illustrated embodiment, the resilient element  146  is a spring, and more particularly a compression spring  147  configured to push the lock head  142  and lock base  144  in opposite directions for engaging the locking slot  124  and the stem  132  respectively. As such, it should be understood that when the locking element  140  is aligned with the locking slot  124 , the compression spring  147  reverts/extends and pushes the lock head  142  within the locking slot  124 , effectively moving the visor  16  backwards in order to engage the recessed edge of the front opening. Other types of resilient elements can be considered, such as resilient/compressible polymers for example. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , and also to  FIGS. 6A to 9B , the locking slot  124  is preferably recessed relative to the arcuate guiding section  126  and includes sidewalls  125  adapted to prevent rotation of the locking element  140 . In the illustrated embodiment, the locking slot  124  is a substantially rectangular shape, with the bottom sidewall  125   c  of the slot being at a greater radial distance from the retaining pin  130 , than that of the arc-shaped sidewall  127  of the arcuate section  126 . The sidewalls  125   a ,  125   b  are configured and dimensioned to constrain the motion of the locking element  140  to a translational movement. As seen in  FIG. 6B , the extended configuration of the locking element  140  corresponds to the visor  16  being in the lowered position, engaged with the recessed edge of the front opening. 
     Referring more specifically to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , it is appreciated that moving the visor  16  forward effectively compresses the spring  147  and disengages the lock head  142  from the locking slot  124 . In other words, moving the visor  16  forward, via the hub plate  160 , moves the locking element  140  in the retracted configuration. It should be noted that, prior to rotating the visor  16 , the lock head  142  remains aligned with the locking slot  124 . It is further noted that the configuration of the locking element  140  illustrated in  FIG. 7A  corresponds to the visor  16  being in the lowered position but disengaged from the recessed edge  15  of the front opening, as illustrated in  FIG. 7B . In other words,  FIG. 7B  shows the visor  16  after having been translated frontwardly, away from the user&#39;s face, but still in the lowered position. Similarly, when the visor  16  is lowered after having been opened, the visor channel  20  aligns back with the locking slot  124  such that the lock head  142  is pushed, via the compression spring  147 , within the locking slot  124 , thereby re-engaging the visor  16  within the front opening. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8A and 9A , when the locking element  140  is in the retracted configuration, it is positioned to fit within the arcuate guiding section  126 . As described above, the locking element  140  moves along the arcuate guiding section  126  as the lock base  144  pivots about the stem of the visor retaining pin  130 . In this embodiment, moving the locking element  140  along the arcuate guiding section  126  correspondingly pivots the visor  16 , as seen in  FIGS. 8B and 9B . In some embodiments, the arcuate guiding section  126  includes an end wall which acts as a stopper  128  and limits movement of the locking element  140  along the arcuate guiding section  126 , which in turn limits rotational movement of the visor  16 . In other words, when the locking element  140  contacts the stopper  128 , the visor  16  has reached the raised position ( FIG. 9B ). In this embodiment, the stopper  128  corresponds to one of the sidewalls of the locking and guiding cavity  122 , although it is appreciated that other configurations are possible. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 10 , in addition to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the arcuate guiding section  126  has an outer periphery, or outer wall  127 , along which the lock head  142  of the locking element  140  slides when pivoting the visor  16 . In some embodiments, the radial distance between the stem  132  of the visor retaining pin  130  and the outer wall  127  is substantially constant ( FIG. 9A ). As such, movement of the visor  16  is exclusively rotational when moving along the arcuate section, thereby maintaining a substantially constant spacing between the helmet shell  12  (e.g., a top section thereof) and the visor, as the visor  16  rotates. Alternatively, and as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the radial distance between the stem  132  of the visor retaining pin  130  and the outer wall  129  can vary along the arcuate guiding section  126 . For example, the radial distance R1 proximate the locking slot  124  can be greater than the radial distance R2 proximate the stopper  128 . Consequently, the locking element  140  will at least partially retract or extend during movement of the visor  16 , creating a combination of rotational and translational movements, i.e., the movement of the visor  16  is eccentric as it rotates. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , in addition to  FIG. 4 , the hub plate  160  of the visor mounting system  100  is adapted to be connected to the lateral mounting section  18  of the visor  16  using any suitable fasteners, such as screws for example. It should thus be understood that moving the hub plate  160  correspondingly moves the visor  16 . For example, pushing the hub plate  160  forwardly when the visor  16  is in the lowered position ( FIG. 6B ) effectively moves the visor  16  forward and disengages the front opening ( FIG. 7B ). Moreover, it should be further understood rotating the hub plate  160  correspondingly rotates the visor  16  in the same direction. In some embodiments, the lateral mounting section  18  can include fastener holes  22  respectively having a flange  24  engageable with the hub plate  160  to further secure the hub plate  160  to the lateral mounting section  18 . As seen in  FIG. 11 , the hub plate  160  can be provided with one or more flange receiving cavities  162  shaped and configured for receiving a corresponding one of the flanges  24 . 
     In some embodiments, the hub plate  160  can further be operatively connected to the locking element  140  such that moving the hub plate  160  operates the locking element  140  between the extended and retracted configurations. More specifically, moving the hub plate  160  forward effectively translates the visor  16  forward and therefore retracts the locking element  140 , i.e., disengages the lock head  142  from the locking slot  124 . In this embodiment, the hub plate includes a gripping surface  163  shaped and adapted to facilitate manually moving the hub plate  160 . More particularly, the gripping surface  163  can be configured to increase the user&#39;s grip on the hub plate  160 , therefore reducing the risk of slipping when moving/rotating the hub plate  160 . In this embodiment, the gripping surface  163  is defined along an outer rim of the hub plate  160 . However, it is appreciated that other configurations of the gripping surface  163  are possible, such as being defined across a top surface of the hub plate  160  for example. 
     In this embodiment, the lock head  142  of the locking element  140  includes a protrusion  143  ( FIG. 4 ) extending therefrom for engaging the hub plate  160 . As seen in  FIG. 11 , the hub plate  160  can include a lock recess  164  shaped and configured to receive the protrusion  143  of the lock head  142 , effectively connecting the locking element  140  to the hub plate  160 . In addition, the hub plate  160  can be provided with a pin receiving cavity  166  shaped and configured to receive the pin head  134  of the visor retaining pin  130 . In this embodiment, the pin receiving cavity  166  is shaped in a manner allowing the pin head  134  to slide and pivot therein when moving the hub plate  160 . More specifically, the pin receiving cavity  166  is substantially oblong to allow the circular pin head to pivot and slide along the oblong cavity  166 . It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the hub plate  160  is connected to the lateral mounting section  18  of the visor  16  (via fasteners), to the base plate  120  (via the visor retaining pin  130 ), and to the locking element  140  (via the protrusion  143 ). 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the helmet  10  can be provided with a ventilation system adapted to establish fluid communication between the interior of the helmet  10  and the surrounding environment. In this embodiment, the helmet  10  includes one or more air vents  26  positioned below the front opening  14 , substantially opposite the mouth of the wearer when wearing the helmet  10 . The helmet  10  can further be provided with means to connect a strap (not shown) for securing the helmet  10  on the head of the wearer. As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 12 , the helmet  10  can include a strap connector  28  ( FIG. 12 ) for connecting a first end of the strap, and a corresponding fastening cavity  29  ( FIG. 2 ) for connecting a second end of the strap to the helmet shell  12  via a snap-fit connection for example. It is appreciated that the strap connecting means are exemplary, and that other configurations are possible, such as connecting the strap inside the helmet shell  12  for example. 
     Referring broadly to  FIGS. 1 through 12 , a method of adjusting the visor  16  between the lowered and raised positions will now be described. First, from the lowered position, as seen in  FIG. 2 , the locking element  140  is operated from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration by manually moving the visor  16  forward via a forward translation of the hub plate  160 . Once the locking element  140  is in the retracted configuration, as seen in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the visor is still in a disengaged but lowered position, and the hub plate  160  can be manually rotated, rotating the visor  16  and engaging the locking element  140  within the arcuate guiding section  126  of the locking and guiding cavity  122 . The hub plate  160  is rotated as such until the visor  16  reaches the raised position. In order to return to the lowered position, the visor  16  is rotated downwardly, either directly or via the hub plate  160 , in order to move the locking element  140  towards the locking slot  124  of the locking and guiding cavity  122 . Once the locking element  140  is aligned with the locking slot  124 , the compression spring  147  will extend and push the lock head  142  within the locking slot  124 , effectively positioning the visor  16  in the lowered position. 
     It should be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the skydiving helmet  10  can be provided with a single visor mounting system  100  as described above on one side of the helmet shell  12 , with a simple hinge or pivot being used on the other side instead of the visor mounting system  100 . Alternatively, the helmet  10  can be provided with a visor mounting system on both the left and right sides of the helmet shell  12 , as per the illustrated embodiment. It should further be appreciated from the present disclosure that the visor mounting system offers improvements and advantages as described above. Indeed, the visor mounting system  100  is easy to operate and advantageously prevents inadvertent opening of the visor, even during freefall (i.e., when skydiving), where winds can reach speeds of up to about 300 km/h for example. 
     In addition, although the optional configurations as illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprise various components, and although the optional configurations of the skydiving helmet as shown may consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that other suitable components and cooperations thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the helmet, and corresponding parts, as briefly explained and as can be easily inferred herefrom, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.