Patent Description:
A helmet is used to protect a wearer's head and is classified into several types like a bicycle helmet, a ski helmet, a motorcycle helmet, and so on according to purpose thereof.

Generally, the helmet is fitted to the wearer's head by fastening chin straps provided on both sides thereof, and so as to prevent the helmet from moving after worn on the wearer's head, the helmet has a band fitted to the back part of his or her head, thereby enhancing the fitting to his or her head.

A conventional helmet is configured to have a dial for controlling the band in length. If the dial rotates in one direction, accordingly, the band becomes tight, and if the dial rotates in the other direction, the band becomes loose. Whenever the conventional helmet is put on or taken off, accordingly, the dial has to rotate to allow the band to be tightened or loosened, which causes many inconveniences in use.

Patent Document <NUM> describes a fit element for helmets that reduces movement on the wearer's head. It consists of a base portion with attachment legs and arms, cut-out sections for flexibility, and a curved lower edge for ease of use.

Patent Document <NUM> describes a bike helmet with a flexible member at the back, providing a better fit and stability, particularly for mountain biking. It applies forward and upward pressure to the head and has an adjustable elastic strap.

Patent Document <NUM> describes an integrated system to improve the fit and retention of a helmet. It includes two rigid straps and a chin strap that connects them under the wearer's chin.

Patent Document <NUM> describes an improved retention mechanism for a bicycle helmet that includes a fit system with a bowl, hinge, and spring element to provide a stable and comfortable fit around the head.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems occurring in the related art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a helmet fitting system that is provided with a fitting part for providing an elastic force toward the back part of a wearer's head, so that whenever a helmet is put on and taken off, no additional control is needed.

To accomplish the above-mentioned objects, according to the present invention, there is provided a helmet fitting system including: a band whose one end is fixed to a helmet; and a fitting part connected to the band to provide an elastic force toward the back part of a wearer's head.

In the helmet fitting system according to the present invention, further, the band includes: a first band whose one end is fixed to one side of the helmet; and a second band whose one end is fixed to the other side of the helmet.

In the helmet fitting system according to the present invention, further, the other end of the first band and the other end of the second band are connected to the fitting part through elastic means for providing the elastic force.

In the helmet fitting system according to the present invention, further, the elastic means is a tension spring, a band, rubber, or silicone.

In the helmet fitting system according to the present invention, further, the elastic means includes: first elastic means for connecting the other end of the first band to the fitting part; and second elastic means for connecting the other end of the second band to the fitting part.

In the helmet fitting system according to the present invention, further, one end of the first elastic means is connected to the other end of the first band, while the other end is connected to the fitting part, and one end of the second elastic means is connected to the other end of the second band, while the other end is connected to the fitting part.

In the helmet fitting system according to the present invention, further, if the area of the fitting part which is close to one side of the helmet is defined as a first area and the area of the fitting part which is close to the other side of the helmet is defined as a second area, the first elastic means is coupled to the fitting part in the second area, and the second elastic means is coupled to the fitting part in the first area.

In the helmet fitting system according to the present invention, further, the first elastic means and the second elastic means are arranged to overlap each other in vertical directions with respect to the directions deformed elastically.

In the helmet fitting system according to the present invention, further, the fitting part includes a separation wall for separating the first elastic means and the second elastic means from each other.

In the helmet fitting system according to the present invention, further, the fitting part includes: a base; and a cover coupled to the base in such a manner as to form a given space in conjunction with the base, the first elastic means and the second elastic means being located in the given space formed by the base and the cover.

In the helmet fitting system according to the present invention, further, one end of the first elastic means is connected to the other end of the first band, one end of the second elastic means is connected to the other end of the second band, and at least any one of the base and the cover has protrusions protruding therefrom, so that the other end of the first elastic means and the other end of the second elastic means are connected to the protrusions.

In the helmet fitting system according to the present invention, further, if the area of the fitting part which is close to one side of the helmet is defined as a first area and the area of the fitting part which is close to the other side of the helmet is defined as a second area, the protrusions include: a first protrusion formed on the second area in such a manner as to be connected to the other end of the first elastic means; and a second protrusion formed on the first area in such a manner as to be connected to the other end of the second elastic means.

In the helmet fitting system according to the present invention, further, the fitting part includes a separation wall formed on at least any one of the base and the cover to separate the first elastic means and the second elastic means from each other.

In the helmet fitting system according to the present invention, further, one end of the first band and one end of the second band are fixed to two or more positions of the helmet, the two or more positions having different distances from the fitting part.

The helmet fitting system further includes a support part for supporting the fitting part so that the fitting part is movable in forward and backward directions with respect to the helmet.

In the helmet fitting system according to the present invention, further, the first elastic means and the second elastic means overlap each other in upward and downward directions or in forward and backward directions.

In the helmet fitting system according to the present invention, further, the first elastic means is extended in one direction with respect to a given position of the fitting part, and the second elastic means is extended in the other direction with respect to the given position of the fitting part.

Objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the detailed description as will be described below and the attached drawings.

Further, the terms used in this application are used to only describe specific exemplary embodiments, but may be varied under the intention or regulation of a user or operator. Therefore, they should be defined on the basis of the whole scope of the present invention.

According to the present invention, the helmet fitting system is provided with the fitting part for providing the elastic force toward the back part of the wearer's head, so that whenever the helmet is put on and taken off, no additional control is needed.

According to the present invention, in addition, the helmet fitting system is provided with the two or more first and second concave portions coupled to the first and second protrusions to thus enable the initial setting positions to be controlled by the wearer, so that the fitting part can be moved to a degree desired by the wearer to provide various elastic forces toward the back part of the wearer's head. That is, the fitting part can provide various wearing fit for the wearer and can be freely moved to correspond to the wearer's head size.

Objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the detailed description as will be described below and the attached drawings wherein the corresponding parts in the embodiments of the present invention are indicated by corresponding reference numerals and the repeated explanation on the corresponding parts will be avoided Terms, such as the first, the second, etc., may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be restricted by the terms. The terms are used to only distinguish one element from the other element. If it is determined that the detailed explanation on the well known technology related to the present invention makes the scope of the present invention not clear, the explanation will be avoided for the brevity of the description.

Now, embodiments of the present invention will be in detail described with reference to attached drawings.

<FIG> and <FIG> are perspective views showing a helmet fitting system according to an embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> and <FIG> are enlarged perspective views showing a fitting part of the helmet fitting system according to the present invention, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing the helmet fitting system according to the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, a helmet fitting system according to the present invention includes a band <NUM> which is fixed at one end thereof to a helmet <NUM>; and a fitting part <NUM> which is connected to the band <NUM> so as to provide an elastic force toward the back part of a wearer's head.

The band <NUM> serves to support the fitting part <NUM> thereagainst and has one end fixed to the helmet <NUM> and the other end connected to the fitting part <NUM> through elastic means <NUM>. The band <NUM> is provided with one pair of bands fixed to both sides of the helmet <NUM> in such a manner as to be extended toward the back part of the wearer's head and thus connected to the fitting part <NUM>. In specific, the band <NUM> includes a first band <NUM> whose one end is fixed to one side of the helmet <NUM> and a second band <NUM> whose one end is fixed to the other side of the helmet <NUM>. For example, one end of the first band <NUM> is fixed to the inside of the helmet <NUM> facing the left side of the wearer's head, and one end of the second band <NUM> is fixed to the inside of the helmet <NUM> facing the right side of the wearer's head. In this case, one end of the first band <NUM> and one end of the second band <NUM> are fixed at positions facing each other. In addition, one end of the first band <NUM> and one end of the second band <NUM> are not fixed only to given positions of the helmet <NUM>, but fixed to two or more positions of the helmet <NUM>, which have different distances from the fitting part <NUM>. That is, the two or more positions having different distances from the fitting part <NUM> are provided at the inside of the helmet <NUM>, and among the two or more positions, the first band <NUM> and the second band <NUM> are each coupled to one position. For example, if the first band <NUM> and the second band <NUM> are coupled to the position having a relatively long distance from the fitting part <NUM>, the fitting part <NUM> is placed at a relatively front side by means of the first band <NUM> and the second band <NUM>. Contrarily, if the first band <NUM> and the second band <NUM> are coupled to the position having a relatively short distance from the fitting part <NUM>, the fitting part <NUM> is placed at a relatively rear side by means of the first band <NUM> and the second band <NUM>. Like this, if the position of the fitting part <NUM> moves according to the coupling positions of the first band <NUM> and the second band <NUM> to the helmet <NUM>, an elastic force of the fitting part <NUM> that is applied to the back part of the wearer's head may be varied, and an explanation of the change in the elastic force will be described later. Further, the method for coupling the first band <NUM> and the second band <NUM> to the helmet <NUM> is not specifically limited, but as shown in <FIG>, the first band <NUM> and the second band <NUM> have a first protruding portion <NUM> and a second protruding portion <NUM> protruding from one end thereof, while the helmet <NUM> having two or more first concave portions <NUM> concavely formed to insert the first protruding portion <NUM> thereinto and two or more second concave portions <NUM> concavely formed to insert the second protruding portion <NUM> thereinto. In this case, for example, the first and second protruding portions <NUM> and <NUM> are coupled to the first and second concave portions <NUM> and <NUM> by means of snap-fit.

As shown in <FIG>, the other end of the first band <NUM> is connected to the fitting part <NUM> by means of first elastic means <NUM>, and the other end of the second band <NUM> is connected to the fitting part <NUM> by means of second elastic means <NUM>. In specific, a first through hole <NUM> is formed on the other end of the first band <NUM>, and accordingly, a first hook <NUM> provided on one end of the first elastic means <NUM> is fitted to the first through hole <NUM>. In a similar manner to the above, a second through hole <NUM> is formed on the other end of the second band <NUM>, and accordingly, a third hook <NUM> provided on one end of the second elastic means <NUM> is fitted to the second through hole <NUM>. Like this, the first and second bands <NUM> and <NUM> are fixed to the helmet <NUM> and connected to the fitting part <NUM> through the elastic means <NUM>, so that the elastic force to be applied to the back part of the wearer's head may be provided to the fitting part <NUM>, which will be in specific described below.

The fitting part <NUM> serves to provide excellent fitting to the helmet <NUM> for the wearer, and to do this, the fitting part <NUM> is connected to the band <NUM> to provide the elastic force toward the back part of the wearer's head. Basically, the fitting part <NUM> is connected to the first and second bands <NUM> and <NUM> fixed to both sides of the helmet <NUM> and supportedly connected to a support part <NUM> fixed to the rear side of the helmet <NUM>. In this case, the fitting part <NUM> is connected to the first and second bands <NUM> and <NUM> through the elastic means <NUM>, and accordingly, the elastic force applied toward the back part of the wearer's head is provided to the fitting part <NUM>. In a state where the fitting part <NUM> is supported against the support part <NUM>, the fitting part <NUM> may be movable in forward and backward directions with respect to the helmet <NUM>. On the other hand, only if the elastic means <NUM> provides the elastic force to the fitting part <NUM>, the elastic means <NUM> may be not limited particularly in type, and for example, the elastic means <NUM> is a tension spring. However, of course, the elastic means <NUM> may be provided in various forms, such as, a band, rubber, silicone, and the like.

In specific, the elastic means <NUM> includes the first elastic means <NUM> adapted to connect the other end of the first band <NUM> to the fitting part <NUM> and the second elastic means <NUM> adapted to connect the other end of the second band <NUM> to the fitting part <NUM>. In this case, one end of the first elastic means <NUM> is connected to the other end of the first band <NUM>, and the other end is connected to the fitting part <NUM>. In a similar manner as above, one end of the second elastic means <NUM> is connected to the other end of the second band <NUM>, and the other end is connected to the fitting part <NUM>. In more specific, the first hook <NUM> is provided on one end of the first elastic means <NUM> in such a manner as to be inserted into the first through hole <NUM> formed on the other end of the first band <NUM>, and a second hook <NUM> is provided on the other end of the first elastic means <NUM> in such a manner as to insert a first protrusion 215a of the fitting part <NUM>. In a similar manner as above, the third hook <NUM> is provided on one end of the second elastic means <NUM> in such a manner as to be inserted into the second through hole <NUM> formed on the other end of the second band <NUM>, and a fourth hook <NUM> is provided on the other end of the second elastic means <NUM> in such a manner as to insert a second protrusion 215b of the fitting part <NUM>. As mentioned above, the first elastic means <NUM> connects the first band <NUM> to the fitting part <NUM>, and the second elastic means <NUM> connects the second band <NUM> to the fitting part <NUM>. If an external force is applied to the fitting part <NUM> in a backward direction, the first and second elastic means <NUM> and <NUM> are expanded to allow the fitting part <NUM> to be moved to the rear from the front (See the change to <FIG> from <FIG>). If the external force is removed out of the fitting part <NUM>, the first and second elastic means <NUM> and <NUM> are contracted to allow the fitting part <NUM> to be moved to the front from the rear (See the change to <FIG> from <FIG>).

Now, the fitting part <NUM> is specifically described, and the fitting part <NUM> includes a base <NUM> and a cover <NUM>. In this case, the base <NUM> has a shape of a plate in such a manner as to be connected to the support part <NUM>, and the cover <NUM> is coupled to the base <NUM> in such a manner as to form a given space in conjunction with the base <NUM>. In the space formed by the base <NUM> and the cover <NUM> are located the first elastic means <NUM> and the second elastic means <NUM>. In this case, the base <NUM> has protrusions <NUM> protruding therefrom, and accordingly, the second hook <NUM> provided on the other end of the first elastic means <NUM> and the fourth hook <NUM> provided on the other end of the second elastic means <NUM> are connected to the protrusions <NUM> of the base <NUM>. In specific, as shown in <FIG>, if the area (left) of the fitting part <NUM> which is close to one side of the helmet <NUM> is defined as a first area A and the area (right) of the fitting part <NUM> which is close to the other side of the helmet <NUM> is defined as a second area B, the protrusions <NUM> include a first protrusion 215a formed on the second area B and a second protrusion 215b formed on the first area A. In this case, the second hook <NUM> provided on the other end of the first elastic means <NUM> is insertedly connected to the first protrusion 215a, and the fourth hook <NUM> provided on the other end of the second elastic means <NUM> is insertedly connected to the second protrusion 215b. Accordingly, the first elastic means <NUM> and the second elastic means <NUM> are arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction of the base <NUM>, while overlapping each other in vertical directions (upward and downward directions) with respect to directions (longitudinal directions) where they are elastically deformed. Like this, if the first elastic means <NUM> and the second elastic means <NUM> overlap each other in the upward and downward directions, they can be stored within a relatively low thickness. Further, they are located in a relatively large area with respect to an imaginary surface contacting with the back part of the wearer's head, thereby applying uniform pressures to the back part of the wearer's head.

Moreover, the fitting part <NUM> includes a separation wall <NUM> protruding from the cover <NUM> so as to separate the first elastic means <NUM> and the second elastic means <NUM> from each other. That is, the first elastic means <NUM> and the second elastic means <NUM> can be isolated from each other by means of the separation wall <NUM>. As the first elastic means <NUM> and the second elastic means <NUM> are separated from each other through the separation wall <NUM>, they can be completely prevented from interfering with each other, while being elastically deformed.

As mentioned above, the protrusions <NUM> protrude from the base <NUM>, and the separation wall <NUM> protrudes from the cover <NUM>. However, of course, the protrusions <NUM> may protrude from the cover <NUM>, and the separation wall <NUM> may protrude from the base <NUM>, without being limited thereto. That is, the protrusions <NUM> and the separation wall <NUM> may be formed freely on the base <NUM> and the cover <NUM>.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, the fitting part <NUM> includes guide members <NUM> provided on both longitudinal ends of the base <NUM>, and the guide members <NUM> each include a guide hole <NUM>. Accordingly, the first and second bands <NUM> and <NUM> pass through the guide holes <NUM> of the guide members <NUM>, so that the first and second bands <NUM> and <NUM> can be freely moved with respect to the base <NUM>. Further, the fitting part <NUM> includes fastening protrusions <NUM> formed on both longitudinal ends of the cover <NUM> in such a manner as to be inserted into the guide holes <NUM> of the guide members <NUM>, so that the cover <NUM> can be coupled to the base <NUM>.

On the other hand, the support part <NUM> is extended upward from the base <NUM> of the fitting part <NUM> and separately fixed to the inside of the rear side of the helmet <NUM>. As the fitting part <NUM> is supported against the support part <NUM>, it can be moved in the forward and backward directions according to the elastic deformation of the first and second elastic means <NUM> and <NUM>, while being not sagged down.

In addition, a pad <NUM> is disposed on the fitting part <NUM> to provide stability in wearing for the wearer. In specific, a curvedly extended pad support <NUM> is disposed on one surface of the fitting part <NUM> which faces the back part of the wearer's head, and the pad <NUM> is separately coupled to the pad support <NUM> by means of a Velcro tape. When the helmet <NUM> is put on, accordingly, the pad <NUM> can stably come into contact with the back part of the wearer's head by means of the elastic force applied to the fitting part <NUM>.

As mentioned above, the fitting part <NUM> is connected to the first and second bands <NUM> and <NUM> fixed to the helmet <NUM> by means of the first and second elastic means <NUM> and <NUM>, and accordingly, the elastic force is applied to the back part of the wearer's head. Whenever the helmet <NUM> is put on and taken off, accordingly, the first and second elastic means <NUM> and <NUM> are expanded to allow ends of the first and second bands <NUM> and <NUM> to be exposed to the outside from the inside of the fitting part <NUM> (See the change to <FIG> from <FIG>), and as a result, the fitting part <NUM> moves to the rear (See the change to <FIG> from <FIG>). Accordingly, the helmet <NUM> can be easily put on and taken off, without any additional control. In this case, the fitting part <NUM> is supported against the support part <NUM>, and accordingly, it can be moved in the forward and backward directions with respect to the helmet <NUM>. When the helmet <NUM> is put on, further, the elastic force toward the back part of the wearer's head is applied to the fitting part <NUM>, so that the fitting part <NUM> comes into contact with the back part of the wearer's head to prevent the helmet <NUM> from being arbitrarily taken off and to make the wearer feel comfortable.

Referring to <FIG>, on the other hand, if the coupling positions of the first and second bands <NUM> and <NUM> to the helmet <NUM> are changed to cause the fitting part <NUM> to be varied in position, the elastic force toward the back part of the wearer's head, which is applied to the fitting part <NUM>, may be varied. For example, if the first protruding portion <NUM> of the first band <NUM> and the second protruding portion <NUM> of the second band <NUM> are coupled to the first and second concave portions <NUM> and <NUM> formed at relatively long positions from the fitting part <NUM>, the fitting part <NUM> is located at a relatively front side. If the helmet <NUM> is put on, accordingly, relatively strong fitting is applied to the back part of the wearer's head. Contrarily, if the first protruding portion <NUM> of the first band <NUM> and the second protruding portion <NUM> of the second band <NUM> are coupled to the first and second concave portions <NUM> and <NUM> formed at relatively short positions from the fitting part <NUM>, the fitting part <NUM> is located at a relatively rear side. If the helmet <NUM> is put on, accordingly, relatively weak fitting is applied to the back part of the wearer's head. As a result, two or more first and second concave portions <NUM> and <NUM> coupled to the first and second protruding portions <NUM> and <NUM> are formed to enable the initial setting positions to be controlled by the wearer, so that the fitting part <NUM> can be moved to a degree desired by the wearer to provide various elastic forces toward the back part of the wearer's head. That is, the fitting part <NUM> can provide various wearing fit for the wearer and can be freely moved to correspond to the wearer's head size.

<FIG> is a sectional view showing the fitting part of a helmet fitting system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention as mentioned above, the first elastic means <NUM> and the second elastic means <NUM> overlap each other in the upward and downward directions (See <FIG>), but of course, they may not overlap necessarily in the upward and downward directions. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the first elastic means <NUM> and the second elastic means <NUM> may overlap each other in forward and backward directions. Like this, if the first elastic means <NUM> and the second elastic means <NUM> overlap each other in the forward and backward directions, they can be stored in a relatively small area. Accordingly, the entire area of the fitting part <NUM> can be minimized, thereby achieving miniaturization and providing the helmet fitting system adequate for children. In this case, the first elastic means <NUM> and the second elastic means <NUM> are located in the space formed by the base <NUM> and the cover <NUM> of the fitting part <NUM>, and they are isolatedly located in the front and rear sides of the space by means of the separation wall <NUM> formed on the cover <NUM> of the fitting part <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sectional view showing a helmet fitting system according to yet another embodiment that is not part of the present invention. In this embodiment the first elastic means <NUM> and the second elastic means <NUM> do not overlap.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the first elastic means <NUM> and the second elastic means <NUM> may be located continuously with respect to each other. That is, the first elastic means <NUM> is extended in one direction with respect to a given position X of the fitting part <NUM>, and the second elastic means <NUM> is extended in the other direction (in the opposite direction to one direction) with respect to the given position X of the fitting part <NUM>.

In the embodiments of the present invention the elastic means <NUM> includes the first elastic means <NUM> and the second elastic means <NUM>.

Accordingly, persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

The present invention relates to the helmet fitting system that is provided with the fitting part for providing the elastic force toward the back part of the wearer's head, so that whenever the helmet is put on and taken off, no additional control is needed.

Claim 1:
A helmet fitting system comprising:
a band (<NUM>) whose one end is fixable to a helmet (<NUM>); and
a fitting part (<NUM>) connected to the band (<NUM>) to provide an elastic force toward the back part of a wearer's head, wherein the band (<NUM>) comprises:
a first band (<NUM>) and
a second band (<NUM>) whose one ends are fixable to the opposite sides of the helmet (<NUM>), wherein the other end of the first band (<NUM>) and the other end of the second band (<NUM>) are connected to the fitting part (<NUM>) through elastic means (<NUM>) for providing the elastic force;
wherein the elastic means (<NUM>) comprises:
first elastic means (<NUM>) for connecting the other end of the first band (<NUM>) to the fitting part (<NUM>), and
second elastic means (<NUM>) for connecting the other end of the second band (<NUM>) to the fitting part (<NUM>);
characterized in that
the first elastic means (<NUM>) and the second elastic means (<NUM>) are arranged to overlap each other in vertical directions with respect to the directions deformed elastically.