Patent Description:
A typical known head-mounted display (HMD) is mounted on a two-wheeled vehicle helmet to show information about driving using virtual images. A display unit (display device) is arranged in the helmet to emit image showing light, and the HMD reflects the image showing light on a shield so that the image showing light is directed to the eyes of the driver. When a driver wears a helmet including an HMD and rides a two-wheeled vehicle, the driver can see, for example, vehicle information such as vehicle speed, map information obtained from a navigation system, and warning information while facing forward. As a result, immoderate sightline movements or posture changes of the driver are reduced. For example, actions of the driver such as facing downward to see a meter panel arranged on a handlebar of the two-wheeled vehicle are reduced. This stabilizes the driving. Patent Document <NUM> describes an example of a device that shows information from a navigation system.

The device described in Patent Document <NUM> includes a processor and memory including a computer program code. The device determines that the user is wearing a helmet during the occurrence of a navigation event. The device also determines a set of navigation notifications that are associated with the navigation event and are configured to be displayed in the helmet. The navigation set is adjusted so as to be displayed in the helmet. Patent document <NUM> describes an AR intelligent helmet. Patent document <NUM> describes a display device. Patent document <NUM> describes a helmet display including an information display horizontally aligned in a spaced relation along a curvature of a helmet jaw. Patent document <NUM> describes helmet system and methods.

Patent Document <NUM>: International Patent Publication No. <NUM>/<NUM>. Patent document <NUM>: <CIT>. Patent document <NUM>: <CIT>. Patent document <NUM>: <CIT>. Patent document <NUM>: International Patent Publication No. <CIT>.

Patent Document <NUM> describes that the device, for example, displays navigation notifications in a shield (visor) of the helmet.

The shield ensures visibility of a helmet, ensures protection against wind and rain, and is configured to open and close. An attaching mode of the shield that ensures these features is specified for a helmet. The field of view of a wearer varies depending on the posture and physical characteristics of the wearer. However, it is difficult to freely adjust a helmet shield so that the helmet shield fits to the posture and physical characteristics of the wearer. When the shield is used as a screen of an HMD or the like, it is difficult to adjust the position of the shield to a position in the field of view where the wearer can readily see an image projected on the screen.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a screen device and a helmet including the screen device that allows a set position of a screen to be readily adjusted in the helmet.

The present invention is defined in annexed independent claim <NUM>. Other advantageous features are defined in the dependent claims.

An aspect of the present disclosure is a helmet that includes a projector that projects an image and the screen device described above. The screen device shows the image projected by the projector in a field of view of a wearer.

An embodiment of a helmet will now be described with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, a helmet includes a spherical helmet <NUM>, a shield <NUM>, and two support mechanisms <NUM>. In the description hereafter, in the state of the helmet <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a side where the shield <NUM> is located is referred to as the front side. A direction in which the two support mechanisms <NUM>, one of which is shown on a left surface <NUM>, are arranged is referred to as the sideward direction.

The two support mechanisms <NUM> arranged at the left and right sides are fixed to an outer shell <NUM> that forms the helmet <NUM>.

The outer shell <NUM> defines the outermost shell of the helmet <NUM>. Although not particularly limited, it is preferred that the material of the outer shell <NUM> is any one selected from acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), and a thermosetting resin impregnated with reinforcement fibers. The outer shell <NUM> has a front surface 12F including an opening 12A that is open forward. The opening 12A ensures visibility for the wearer. The front surface 12F of the outer shell <NUM> includes a chin guard <NUM> located below the opening 12A. That is, the helmet <NUM> is a full face helmet.

The shield <NUM> is a colorless transparent plate member that is transmissive to light. The shield <NUM> is rotationally supported by the two support mechanisms <NUM>, which are arranged at the left and right sides. When receiving an operating force that moves the shield <NUM>, the shield <NUM> moves between an open position and a closed position. When the shield <NUM> is located at the open position, the opening 12A is open. When the shield <NUM> is located at the closed position, the opening 12A is closed as indicated by the double-dashed line as shown in <FIG>. At the closed position, the shield <NUM> hinders entrance of rain, wind, and airborne objects coming from the front into the helmet <NUM> to improve the visibility of the wearer. Although not particularly limited, it is preferred that the material of the shield <NUM> is a polycarbonate.

The two support mechanisms <NUM> maintain the position of the shield <NUM> when the shield <NUM> is not being operated. For example, when the shield <NUM> is moved to the open position, the two support mechanisms <NUM> maintain the open position until the next operation. When the shield <NUM> is moved to the closed position, the two support mechanisms <NUM> maintain the closed position until the next operation.

The helmet <NUM> includes an inner shell located at an inner side of the outer shell <NUM> defining the innermost shell. The material of the inner shell is a resin that absorbs impacts. Although not particularly limited, it is preferred that the material of the inner shell is any one selected from polyurethane and styrofoam resin.

The helmet <NUM> is provided with a screen device <NUM>. The screen device <NUM> extends between a space defined by the opening 12A and the front surface 12F, which is located above the opening 12A. The screen device <NUM> has a portion located at the front surface 12F between the outer shell <NUM> and the inner shell and attached to the outer shell <NUM> by a shell attachment <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the shell attachment <NUM> includes an outer surface 14a, and the outer surface 14a forms a portion of an outer surface of the outer shell <NUM>. As a result, the shell attachment <NUM> is arranged without producing a large step with the surrounding surface in the outer surface of the outer shell <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the shell attachment <NUM> has an inner surface including a first protrusion 141a, a second protrusion 141b, and a third protrusion 141c extending inward. The first protrusion 141a, the second protrusion 141b, and the third protrusion 141c of the shell attachment <NUM> extend through the outer shell <NUM> and are coupled to the screen device <NUM>, which is located at an inner side of the outer shell <NUM>.

According to the invention, the screen device <NUM> includes a vertical movement mechanism <NUM> and a combiner <NUM> that shows an image projected onto the helmet. The vertical movement mechanism <NUM> includes a body <NUM> and a support <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) coupled to the combiner <NUM>. More specifically, when the protrusions 141a, 141b, and 141c are coupled to the body <NUM> of the vertical movement mechanism <NUM>, the shell attachment <NUM> fixes the screen device <NUM> to the outer shell <NUM>.

The first protrusion 141a is inserted into an insertion hole 47a of the body <NUM> and fastened by a screw or the like. The second protrusion 141b is inserted through a through hole 48b and into an insertion hole 47b of the body <NUM> and fastened by a screw or the like. The third protrusion 141c is inserted through a through hole 48c and into an insertion hole 47c of the body <NUM> and fastened by a screw or the like. When the vertical movement mechanism <NUM> is attached to the outer shell <NUM>, the combiner <NUM> is located at an appropriate position relative to the helmet <NUM>. Holes through which the protrusions 141a, 141b, and 141c are inserted are sufficient for a structure of the outer shell <NUM> that fixes the combiner <NUM> to the outer shell <NUM>. Therefore, the combiner <NUM> is be fixed to the outer shell <NUM> without a large change in the structure of the outer shell <NUM>, which needs to have mechanical durability.

As shown in <FIG>, the screen device <NUM> is configured so that the vertical movement mechanism <NUM> is attached to the outer shell <NUM> by the shell attachment <NUM>. The body <NUM> of the vertical movement mechanism <NUM> includes a first member <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) and a second member <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). According to the invention, the support <NUM> of the vertical movement mechanism <NUM> is configured to be moved and positioned in a vertical direction X of the outer shell <NUM> along a slide hole <NUM> of the body <NUM>. The slide hole <NUM> corresponds to a passage through which the support <NUM> is vertically movably inserted.

As shown in <FIG>, the support <NUM> includes a distal end <NUM> that is located at a lower side in <FIG> and including an arcuate rail <NUM>. The combiner <NUM> includes a supported portion <NUM> that is supported by the arcuate rail <NUM> of the support <NUM> in a slidable manner. The support <NUM> supports the combiner <NUM> in the opening 12A of the helmet <NUM> and allows vertical movement, that is, movement in the vertical direction X, of the combiner <NUM>. The combiner <NUM> is a transparent screen that shows an image V (refer to <FIG>). The image V is projected by a projector <NUM>, which is arranged in the chin guard <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) of the helmet <NUM>, and is output from a projection outlet <NUM>.

Since the combiner <NUM> is vertically movably supported, the combiner <NUM> is located at a position suitable for the field of view of the wearer. In addition, the set position of the screen is readily adjusted on the helmet.

The arcuate rail <NUM> of the support <NUM> has a rail hole <NUM> extending in a front-rear direction Y defining a longitudinal direction. The rail hole <NUM> is shaped as a curve having an arc and extending in the longitudinal direction. The supported portion <NUM> is flat and is fitted into the rail hole <NUM> of the arcuate rail <NUM> so that rotation in which the supported portion <NUM> acts as an axis is prohibited. The supported portion <NUM> slides in the rail hole <NUM> along an arc R extending in the longitudinal direction.

The rail hole <NUM> is curved rearward and downward as viewed from the front in the front-rear direction Y. The arcuate rail <NUM> allows the flat supported portion <NUM> to slide along the rail hole <NUM>. At this time, the angle of the flat surface of the supported portion <NUM> changes in accordance with the curve of the arcuate rail <NUM>, and the inclination of the combiner <NUM> (projection surface <NUM>) having the supported portion <NUM> also changes with respect to the vertical direction. More specifically, the combiner <NUM> slides on the arcuate rail <NUM> in the front-rear direction Y to change the angle relative to the support <NUM>.

Thus, the angle of the combiner <NUM> relative to the vertical movement mechanism <NUM>, that is, the inclination of the combiner <NUM> with respect to the vertical direction, is changeable. This allows the combiner <NUM> to be located at a position that is more suitable for the field of view of the wearer.

As shown in <FIG>, the arcuate rail <NUM> includes a front end 53f and a rear end 53r. The support <NUM> allows the supported portion <NUM> to slide between the front end 53f and the rear end 53r so that the combiner <NUM> revolves along the arc R. The angle of the combiner <NUM> relative to the support <NUM> changes in a range of a central angle (change angle θ) of the arcuate rail <NUM>. At this time, the orientation of the combiner <NUM> changes between a first orientation AT11, AT12 (refer to <FIG>) at which the projection surface <NUM> serving as the screen is in the field of view S of a wearer E and a second orientation AT21, AT22 (refer to <FIG>) at which the projection surface <NUM> is outside the field of view S of the wearer E. The first orientation AT11, AT12 and the second orientation AT21, AT22 are specified by differences in the angle of the projection surface <NUM> relative to the support <NUM>.

The combiner <NUM> changes the angle relative to the support <NUM> in accordance with slide movement so that the position of the image V projected onto the projection surface <NUM> is adjusted between the first orientation AT11, AT12 and the second orientation AT21, AT22. In addition, occurrence of unexpected movement of the combiner <NUM> caused by oscillation is limited, for example, as compared to a structure that supports the combiner <NUM> to the support <NUM> by a hinge.

The first orientation AT11, AT12 is, for example, the orientation of the combiner <NUM> shown in <FIG> when the supported portion <NUM> is located at the front end 53f. The second orientation AT21, AT22 is, for example, the orientation of the combiner <NUM> shown in <FIG> when the supported portion <NUM> is located at the rear end 53r. More specifically, the second orientation AT21, AT22 recedes the supported portion <NUM> to the rear end 53r, thereby avoiding projection of the front end of the combiner <NUM> more frontward than the first orientation AT11, AT12.

As shown in <FIG>, the vertical movement mechanism <NUM> is configured so that movement of the support <NUM> to be positioned relative to the body <NUM> in the vertical direction X is independent from movement of the combiner <NUM> relative to the support <NUM> in the rail hole <NUM> along the arc R extending in the longitudinal direction. That is, at each point that positions the support <NUM> in the vertical direction X, the support <NUM> allows the combiner <NUM> to move along the arc R to change the angle of the projection surface <NUM> of the combiner <NUM> relative to the support <NUM>. With the adjustment of position and angle of the combiner <NUM>, the image V is projected onto a more suitable position in the field of view of the wearer. That is, the support <NUM> is positioned at different points in the vertical direction X, and the angle of the combiner <NUM> relative to the support <NUM> is changed at each point where the support <NUM> is positioned.

The vertical movement mechanism <NUM> and the combiner <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the body <NUM> of the vertical movement mechanism <NUM> includes the first member <NUM>, which is opposed to an inner surface of the outer shell <NUM>, and the second member <NUM>, which is opposed to the inner shell. The first member <NUM> includes an outer wall 41a opposed to the inner surface of the outer shell <NUM>. The second member <NUM> includes an outer wall 42a opposed to the inner shell. Cell fasteners <NUM> are thread-fastened to the second member <NUM> to couple the first member <NUM> and the second member <NUM>.

The body <NUM> accommodates a latch mechanism. The second member <NUM> includes a lower region <NUM> and an upper region <NUM>. The latch mechanism is configured to be accommodated in the lower region <NUM> and does not use the upper region <NUM>. Hence, the first member <NUM> has a size corresponding to the lower region <NUM>. More specifically, the first member <NUM> is smaller than the second member <NUM>, and the first member <NUM> is not coupled to the upper region <NUM> of the second member <NUM>.

The body <NUM> includes a slide port 44A arranged at a lower side in the vertical direction X to allow insertion of the support <NUM>. The support <NUM> is inserted from the slide port 44A into the slide hole <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). The body <NUM> further includes an operating port <NUM> arranged at the lower side in the vertical direction X. The operating port <NUM> allows an operating portion <NUM> of a release mechanism to be located outside the body <NUM>.

The operating portion <NUM> releases the latch mechanism that fixes the support <NUM>, which is located in the body <NUM>, to stepped positions. The operating portion <NUM> includes an operating end <NUM> arranged on an end, and a first operating shaft <NUM> extending from the operating end <NUM> to the inside of the body <NUM>. The first operating shaft <NUM> is movable through the operating port <NUM> in an insertion direction. The operating end <NUM> has a larger outer periphery than the first operating shaft <NUM> so that the operating end <NUM> cannot be inserted into the operating port <NUM> further from the first operating shaft <NUM>. The operating end <NUM> is shaped to have an end surface having a rear side in the front-rear direction Y that is inclined toward the operating port <NUM> so that the operating end <NUM> is readily operated by a finger of the wearer entering from the opening 12A.

The vertical movement mechanism <NUM> includes the arcuate rail <NUM> arranged on the distal end <NUM> of the support <NUM> and having the rail hole <NUM>. The arcuate rail <NUM> extends as an arc having the change angle θ in the front-rear direction Y. The rail hole <NUM> horizontally extends through the arcuate rail <NUM> and is elongated in a direction in which the arc extends. The rail hole <NUM> is located between an upper rail 53a and a lower rail 53b of the arcuate rail <NUM>. The rail hole <NUM> is defined by an inner portion of the arc of the upper rail 53a and an outer portion of the arc of the lower rail 53b.

The upper rail 53a is coupled to the distal end <NUM> of the support <NUM> and supports the arcuate rail <NUM>. The lower rail 53b has an elongated hole <NUM> extending through a width-wise center of the rail to the rail hole <NUM> and extending in an extension direction of the rail. An urging portion <NUM> extends in the elongated hole <NUM> and projects into the rail hole <NUM> at least partially between the front end 53f and the rear end 53r. The urging portion <NUM> urges the flat surface of the supported portion <NUM> of the combiner <NUM> located in the rail hole <NUM> toward the upper rail 53a. This increases retaining power at a set position of the combiner <NUM> to restrict changes in the set position of the combiner <NUM> in the arcuate rail <NUM>. The surface of the urging portion <NUM> opposed to the upper rail 53a may have roughness that increases the position retaining power such as grooves or irregularities to facilitate the positioning of the flat surface of the supported portion <NUM>.

The support <NUM> includes a slide portion accommodated in the slide hole <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) of the body <NUM>. The slide portion has side surfaces having latch holes <NUM> arranged at predetermined intervals. Movement of the support <NUM> in the vertical direction X is restricted in the slide hole <NUM> of the body <NUM> at the intervals of the latch holes <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the combiner <NUM> includes the projection surface <NUM>, which is a transparent screen, and an extension <NUM> extending from the projection surface <NUM> in the direction of the support <NUM>. The combiner <NUM> further includes the supported portion <NUM> inserted into the rail hole <NUM> of the arcuate rail <NUM> in the sideward direction and a fastening end <NUM> arranged on an end of the supported portion <NUM> to prevent separation of the supported portion <NUM> from the rail hole <NUM>.

The fastening end <NUM> includes a hole into which the end of the supported portion <NUM> is inserted through the rail hole <NUM>. The inserted end of the supported portion <NUM> is fastened by a screw coupled from a screw hole <NUM> in an orthogonal direction. As a result, the fastening end <NUM> is fastened to the end of the supported portion <NUM>. That is, the supported portion <NUM> is inserted through the rail hole <NUM>, and the end of the supported portion <NUM> is inserted into the hole formed in the fastening end <NUM>. The fastening end <NUM> has the screw hole <NUM> extending in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the end of the supported portion <NUM> extends. The fastening end <NUM> is fastened to the end of the supported portion <NUM> by the screw coupled to the screw hole <NUM>. Each of the extension <NUM> and the fastening end <NUM> has a surface orthogonal to the supported portion <NUM> and in contact with a wall surface of the rail hole <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). This limits loosening of the combiner <NUM> attached to the arcuate rail <NUM> in the rail hole <NUM> and entrapment of the combiner <NUM> when sliding.

The supported portion <NUM> directs the fastening end <NUM>, which is operated from the opening 12A of the helmet <NUM>, toward an outer side of the opening 12A. The fastening end <NUM> includes a front portion 66b and a rear portion 66a that is bulged more than the front portion 66b as viewed from front. As viewed from front, the fastening end <NUM> has a slope that eases contact of a finger pad of the wearer. This allows the wearer of the helmet <NUM> to readily adjust the position of the combiner <NUM> relative to the support <NUM> with a finger pad of the wearer.

The latch mechanism will be described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams of the first member <NUM> and the second member <NUM> that are uncoupled and separated. Each of <FIG> and <FIG> duplicately shows positioning components <NUM>. The body <NUM> is formed by coupling the first member <NUM> to a portion of the second member <NUM> located at the outer shell <NUM> with the fasteners <NUM> or the like.

In the body <NUM>, the first protrusion 141a of the shell attachment <NUM> is attached to the insertion hole 47a of the second member <NUM>. Also, in the body <NUM>, the second and third protrusions 141b and 141c of the shell attachment <NUM> are inserted through the through holes 48b and 48c of the first member <NUM> into the insertion holes 47b and 47c of the second member <NUM>.

The first member <NUM> and the second member <NUM> have sides opposed to each other and hold the latch mechanism between the opposed sides. The first member <NUM> has a size corresponding to the lower region <NUM> and does not extend to a region corresponding to the first protrusion 141a of the shell attachment <NUM>. In the body <NUM>, the latch mechanism is arranged between the first member <NUM> and the second member <NUM> in the lower region <NUM> located at a lower side that does not interfere with the protrusions 141a, 141b, and 141c of the shell attachment <NUM> in the vertical direction X.

The first member <NUM> and the second member <NUM> have the slide hole <NUM> extending through the center in the vertical direction. The slide hole <NUM> includes the slide port 44A located at a lower side and a slide port 44B located at an upper side. The slide hole <NUM> is defined as a passage having a rectangular cross section by an inner flat surface <NUM> and an inner guide 81A located inside the second member <NUM>, inner wall surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> located inside the second member <NUM>, and guides 82C (refer to <FIG>) located inside the first member <NUM>.

The second member <NUM> includes a slide groove 44C located above the slide port 44B and continuous with the slide hole <NUM>. The slide groove 44C includes a flat surface that is continuous with the inner guide 81A and wall surfaces <NUM> that are continuous with the inner wall surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>. The guides 82C of the first member <NUM> rise from the outer wall 41a of the first member <NUM> and extend in a vertical movement direction of the support <NUM>. Each guide 82C has an end that is coplanar with an inner flat surface 82A of the first member <NUM> defining the slide port 44A and an inner flat surface 82B of the first member <NUM>. The inner guide 81A of the second member <NUM> has an end surface that rises from the outer wall 42a of the second member <NUM> and is coplanar with the inner flat surface <NUM> of the second member <NUM>.

The body <NUM> includes an accommodation space that accommodates the latch mechanism.

The accommodation space includes two vertical spaces extending at opposite sides of the slide hole <NUM> and lateral spaces that connect the two vertical spaces, which are located at opposite sides of the slide hole <NUM>, so as not to interfere with the slide hole <NUM>. The first member <NUM> includes a first space <NUM> including the two vertical spaces and the lateral spaces. The first space <NUM> is shaped as a frame in which the guides 82C are located at a central position and bases <NUM> and <NUM> are located at positions corresponding to the positioning components <NUM>. The second member <NUM> includes a second space <NUM> and a third space <NUM> corresponding to the two vertical spaces located at opposite sides of the slide hole <NUM>.

The body <NUM> has wide voids in the first space <NUM> at a position opposed to the second space <NUM> and a position opposed to the third space <NUM> that do not interfere with the slide hole <NUM>. That is, the wide voids refer to the vertical spaces. The body <NUM> also has narrow voids in the first space <NUM> at positions that are not opposed to the second space <NUM> nor the third space <NUM> and avoiding interference with the slide hole <NUM>. That is, the narrow voids refer to the lateral spaces.

The accommodation space accommodates part of the operating portion <NUM> and the positioning components <NUM>. The positioning components <NUM> include hooks <NUM> that fit to the latch holes <NUM> in the support <NUM>. The positioning components <NUM> extend and retract relative to passages <NUM> and <NUM> formed in the inner wall surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> to move the hooks <NUM> to and away from the slide hole <NUM>. When the hooks <NUM> are moved to the slide hole <NUM> and fitted to the latch holes <NUM> in the support <NUM>, the hooks <NUM> fix the position of the support <NUM> in the vertical direction X. When the hooks <NUM> are moved out of the slide hole <NUM> and separated from the latch holes <NUM> of the support <NUM>, the hooks <NUM> free movement of the support <NUM> in the vertical direction X.

The passages <NUM> and <NUM> formed in the inner wall surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> have slopes extending downward toward the slide hole <NUM>. Each positioning component <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> and two hooks <NUM> extending diagonally downward from the main body <NUM>. The main body <NUM> arranged in the accommodation space and the two hooks <NUM> are joined by two arms <NUM> having slopes along the slope of the corresponding one of the passages <NUM> and <NUM>. The passages <NUM> and <NUM> respectively include central guides <NUM> and <NUM>, and the two arms <NUM> are arranged in passages defined by the central guides <NUM> and <NUM>.

Since the arms <NUM> are arranged in the passages <NUM> and <NUM> having the downward slopes, when downward force is applied to the hooks <NUM> from the support <NUM>, the hooks <NUM> are drawn to the slide hole <NUM> and engage with the latch holes <NUM> to prevent downward movement of the support <NUM>. When upward force from the support <NUM> is applied to the hooks <NUM>, which are supported by the arms <NUM> arranged in the passages <NUM> and <NUM> having the downward slopes, the hooks <NUM> are forced back from the slide hole <NUM> and separated from the latch holes <NUM> to allow upward movement of the support <NUM>. That is, the positioning components <NUM> allow upward movement of the support <NUM>, which is drawn out downward, while fixing the vertical position of the support <NUM>. When the support <NUM> is pushed upward from below, the position of the combiner <NUM>, which is coupled to the support <NUM>, is readily adjusted.

The operating portion <NUM> includes the first operating shaft <NUM> coupled to the operating end <NUM>, a second operating shaft <NUM> located at a side of the slide hole <NUM> opposite from the first operating shaft <NUM>, and a lower connecting rod <NUM> and an upper connecting rod <NUM> that connect the first operating shaft <NUM> and the second operating shaft <NUM> through the lateral spaces. The lower connecting rod <NUM> connects a lower end of the first operating shaft <NUM> in the accommodation space and a lower end of the second operating shaft <NUM>. The upper connecting rod <NUM> connects an upper end of the first operating shaft <NUM> and an upper end of the second operating shaft <NUM>.

When the operating end <NUM> is pushed and the first operating shaft <NUM> is moved upward, the second operating shaft <NUM>, which is connected with the upper connecting rod <NUM> and the lower connecting rod <NUM>, is also moved upward. A spring 49B is arranged between the upper wall of the accommodation space and each of the upper end of the first operating shaft <NUM> and the upper end of the second operating shaft <NUM> to downwardly urge the upper end. The springs 49B are arranged in receptacles <NUM> and <NUM> located in an upper part of the accommodation space to downwardly urge the upper end of the first operating shaft <NUM> and the upper end of the second operating shaft <NUM>, respectively. Thus, the first operating shaft <NUM> and the second operating shaft <NUM> are normally located in a lower part of the accommodation space. When the operating end <NUM> is pushed upward by an external operation, the first operating shaft <NUM> and the second operating shaft <NUM> are located in an upper part of the accommodation space against the urging force.

The first operating shaft <NUM> includes a holder <NUM> that holds the main body <NUM> of the positioning component <NUM> in the vertical direction. The second operating shaft <NUM> includes a holder <NUM> that holds the main body <NUM> of the positioning component <NUM> in the vertical direction.

When the first operating shaft <NUM> and the second operating shaft <NUM> are located in the lower part of the accommodation space, the positioning components <NUM> force the arms <NUM> into the downwardly sloping passages <NUM> and <NUM> so that the hooks <NUM> move to the slide hole <NUM> to fix the position of the support <NUM> in the vertical direction X. When the operating end <NUM> is pushed upward by an external operation and the first operating shaft <NUM> and the second operating shaft <NUM> are located in the upper part of the accommodation space, the positioning components <NUM> draw the arms <NUM> out of the downwardly sloping passages <NUM> and <NUM> so that the hooks <NUM> move out of the slide hole <NUM> to allow vertical movement of the support <NUM> in the vertical direction X.

As described above, the vertical movement mechanism <NUM> is fixed by the latch mechanism. This restricts vertical movement of the combiner <NUM> caused by oscillation and maintains the adjustment position of the combiner <NUM>. When an external operation is performed on the latch mechanism, vertical movement of the combiner <NUM> is allowed.

In the present embodiment, the latch mechanism includes the accommodation space, the operating portion <NUM>, and the positioning components <NUM>.

The operation and advantages of the present embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the screen device <NUM> is configured so that the support <NUM> is vertically moved in the vertical movement mechanism <NUM> to adjust the height of the combiner <NUM> having the first orientation AT11 and supported by the support <NUM> to a height L1 of the field of view S of the wearer E in the vertical direction X.

As shown in <FIG>, when the field of view S of the wearer E is at a height L2 that is lower than the height L1 of the field of view S of the wearer E, the support <NUM> is moved downward in the vertical movement mechanism <NUM>, so that the height of the combiner <NUM> having the first orientation AT12 in the vertical direction X is adjusted to the height L2 of the field of view S of the wearer E.

As shown in <FIG>, the relative angle of the combiner <NUM> having the first orientation AT11 and supported by the support <NUM> is changed. In this case, the combiner <NUM> slides along the arcuate rail <NUM> in the front-rear direction Y to have the second orientation AT21, at which the combiner <NUM> is located outside the field of view S of the wearer E. Thus, without vertical movement related to the height-wise direction, the orientation is changed from the first orientation AT11 to the second orientation AT21 while maintaining the height L1. This ensures the field of view S that is not bothered by images when images are not needed. When images are needed, the orientation is changed from the second orientation AT21 to the first orientation AT11 to ensure that the field of view S includes images.

As shown in <FIG>, when the field of view S of the wearer E is located at the height L2, the support <NUM> changes the orientation of the combiner <NUM> from the first orientation AT12 to the second orientation AT22, at which the combiner <NUM> is located outside the field of view S of the wearer E. Thus, without vertical movement related to the height-wise direction, the orientation is changed from the first orientation AT12 to the second orientation AT22 while maintaining the height L2. This ensures the field of view S that is not bothered by images. When images are needed, the orientation is changed from the second orientation AT22 to the first orientation AT12 to ensure that the field of view S includes images.

According to the present embodiment, images projected by the projector <NUM> are shown at a suitable position in the field of view S of the wearer of the helmet <NUM>.

The embodiment obtains the following advantages.

The embodiment may be modified as follows. The embodiment and the following modified examples can be combined as long as the combined modified examples remain technically consistent with each other.

The positions of the positioning components <NUM> are not limited to the opposite sides of the slide hole <NUM>. For example, a positioning component <NUM> may be configured to be located at only one of the opposite sides of the slide hole <NUM>. This configuration also obtains advantages corresponding to (<NUM>) to (<NUM>). In addition, one of the positioning components <NUM> and the spring 49B used for the positioning component <NUM> may be omitted. Further, the structure of the body <NUM> for arranging the positioning components <NUM> may be simplified, and the body <NUM> may be reduced in size. Reduction in size of the body <NUM> reduces an amount of the outer shell cut away for fixing the body <NUM> and an amount of an impact absorbing liner for arranging the body <NUM>. This limits adverse effects on the impact-related properties of the helmet caused by installation of a support mechanism.

The combiner may be moved forward along an arcuate rail to have an orientation where the combiner is outside the field of view. For example, when the arcuate rail is curved upwardly forward, forward movement results in an orientation of the combiner located outside the field of view S.

As long as the angle of the combiner relative to the support is changeable, the combiner may be supported and coupled to the support by a structure other than the arcuate rail, which is, for example, a hinge.

Claim 1:
A screen device (<NUM>), comprising:
a combiner (<NUM>) that is suitable to show an image projected onto a helmet (<NUM>); and
a vertical movement mechanism (<NUM>) which can be attached to a shell (<NUM>) of a helmet (<NUM>), wherein the vertical movement mechanism (<NUM>) supports the combiner (<NUM>) so that the combiner (<NUM>) is movable in a vertical direction (X) and so that an inclination of the combiner (<NUM>) is changeable with respect to the vertical direction (X),
wherein
the vertical movement mechanism (<NUM>) includes a body (<NUM>) that is suitable to be fixed to an outer shell (<NUM>) of a helmet (<NUM>) and a support (<NUM>) that vertically moves relative to the body (<NUM>),
the combiner (<NUM>) includes a supported portion (<NUM>) supported by the support (<NUM>), and
the body (<NUM>) of the vertical movement mechanism (<NUM>) includes a first member (<NUM>) and a second member (<NUM>),
whereby the screen device (<NUM>) is characterized in that the support (<NUM>) is configured to be moved and positioned in a vertical direction (X) of the outer shell (<NUM>) along a slide hole (<NUM>) corresponding to a passage through which the support (<NUM>) is vertically movably inserted.