Patent Description:
In particular, in the case of atmospheric events (heavy rain storms) it is necessary to prevent the water penetrating inside the helmet, in particular where the helmet has slits or openings. For example, the shield may consist of a protective shield which is movable with respect to a body of the helmet and which defines, precisely in order to allow movement, a slit with a remaining part of the helmet and therefore exposes the helmet to the risk of water entering.

A zone where water may enter a helmet is indicated by means of an arrow in <FIG> and <FIG>. A protective shield which is affected by this problem is for example a visor. When water enters, the visor may mist up and, in particular in the lowered position, may create problems during riding, resulting in difficulty in controlling and/or loss of control of the motorcycle. The visor is usually a body in the form of a curved plate having two lateral end portions which are suitably shaped for fixing to corresponding rotation mechanisms so as to allow a rotational movement of the visor between a raised position and a lowered position, and vice versa.

In the lowered position, the visor is intended to cover and shield a front opening of the helmet.

In order to reduce the penetration of water, the body of the helmet has a gasket around the front opening. The gasket is usually provided on the fixed part of the remaining portion of the helmet (in full-face helmets), all the way around the opening, and also movable (in the case of modular helmets). However, in particular in the case of modular helmets, there exists a difficulty in forming a perfect seal between the gasket and visor owing to the characteristics of the visor which is easily moved with respect to the gasket. Another aspect regarding formation of said seal is the difficulty in respecting the very small construction tolerances of the aforementioned elements. <CIT> discloses a helmet with a seal member intended to seal the gap between the helmet body and the visor.

In other words, it has been attempted to form the seal by means of contact between the rigid part (visor generally made of plastic) and the rubber, which is preferably glued or co-moulded onto the rigid parts (cap or chin guard). A perfect continuity which closes all the spaces is difficult to achieve and maintain over time during the many opening and closing cycles. In particular, the situation becomes critical in the case of modular helmets where the chin guard is movable with respect to the cap by means of use of a rotation system located on both sides of the helmet. For their configuration (possibility of the chin guard rotating with respect to the cap) it is not possible to ensure the mechanical continuity between the gasket in the bottom part (on the chin guard shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) and that on the cap as indicated by the arrows.

A technical problem underlying the present disclosure is that of providing a shield for helmets which is able to improve the protection against penetration of water in a helmet and a helmet which includes this shield for helmets.

This technical problem is solved by a shield for a helmet, by a helmet and by a method according to the respective independent claims. Secondary characteristics and particular embodiments forming the subject of the present disclosure are defined in the respective dependent claims.

The present disclosure is based on a recognition by the author that it is not possible to block entirely the penetration of water between the shield and the remaining part of the helmet; instead it is possible to exploit the generally negative characteristics associated with penetration of the water along an internal surface of the shield, such as the surface tension, capillarity and also effect of gravity. In particular, since it is not possible to block the penetration, it is proposed directing any water which enters and, by making use of its surface tension and predicting in which direction the water mainly flows, causing the water to flow in a guided manner. Even more particularly, the plate-shaped or foil-shaped body includes two end portions, each shaped so as to include a part of a rotation mechanism intended to co-operate with a corresponding part of the rotation mechanism associated with said remaining portion of the protective helmet so as to allow rotation of the shield with respect to the remaining portion of the protective helmet.

The guide element is arranged in at least one or both said end portions alongside, or separate from said part of the rotation mechanism. The guide element does not form part of the rotation mechanism. The guide element is separate and is therefore independent of any rotation mechanism.

The rotation mechanism may in fact have protrusions or channels on a surface of the visor. The guide element is independent of protrusions of the visor forming part of any shield rotation or opening mechanism, such as a visor opening mechanism.

At the same time, when the shield is a visor, the guide element remains outside the field of vision of the visor, so as not to block the vision.

For this purpose it is envisaged suitably shaping the internal surface of the visor in order to direct the water. For example, at least one guide element is provided in order to convey the water along an internal surface or side of the shield. For example, said guide element is a projection or protrusion formed by means of a rib or other thickness which creates a side wall along which the water may flow. It is possible to provide one or more water conveying guides in predetermined zones of the helmet shield, where it is possible to predict or determine beforehand (for example by means of careful examination) where the water will flow once it has entered.

For example, in the case where the shield is movable with respect to a remaining portion of the helmet, a rib is formed in a zone where the shield is rotatably mounted and where, precisely in order to allow movement of the shield, it is difficult to ensure a perfect water seal. In particular, in this case, the helmet has a slit between the shield and the rest of the helmet, substantially in the vicinity of the rotation mechanism, but separated therefrom. The water penetrates into a slit between the shield and the remainder of the helmet and is directed as a result of the surface tension towards a zone of the helmet where the rib or protrusion has been formed. The water is conveyed outside owing to the guide element, such as the rib or protrusion. In fact, a water conveying path extending from a water entry slit defined between the shield and a remaining part of the helmet is obtained, said path passing along the guide element on the internal surface facing the inside of the helmet and terminating in an exit slit defined between the shield and said remaining helmet part.

It is advantageous to provide two guide elements, for example arranged inside the shield symmetrically, close to the mechanism/devices which allow rotation of the said shield. Even more preferably, the aforementioned conveying path is defined when the shield is in the closed position. In this condition, the entry slit is in the zone of, but far from, the rotation mechanism (namely without involving the rotation mechanism), and the exit slit is in the region of an edge of the remaining portion of the helmet adapted to receive the shield in the closed condition. A gasket is preferably positioned in the region of the exit slit. One end of the rib, or other guide element, cooperates and comes into contact with the gasket, or precisely with a portion of the helmet. This contact allows the closure, preferably in a sealed manner, of other undesirable outflow zones for the water and the outflow to be conveyed into a zone of the shield which is located underneath the rotation mechanism.

More preferably, the guide element is arranged so as to come into contact with a free end of the gasket against which the shield rests in a closed position.

For example, in one embodiment, the shield is a visor and, in the closed position, the visor comes into contact with a gasket which surrounds the front opening of the helmet in the bottom part of the visor. In this condition, when the visor is positioned in the closed position, the guide element comes into contact with a free end of the bottom gasket. For this purpose, the bottom gasket is designed with suitable dimensions so as to terminate where the guide element is present in the closed condition of the visor. Each protrusion has preferably a curved shape and partly surrounds the rotation mechanism and favours the conveying of water.

A preferred example of embodiment of the invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings in which:.

With reference to the attached figures, the reference number <NUM> denotes a protective helmet for motorcyclists of the modular type, namely a helmet which includes a chin guard <NUM>. The protective helmet <NUM> may be used with the chin guard <NUM> lowered or with the chin guard <NUM> raised. A shield <NUM>, which in the case of the present example of embodiment is a so-called visor, is associated with the chin guard. The chin guard <NUM> is movable with respect to the cap <NUM> of the helmet. The cap <NUM> of the protective helmet <NUM> is understood as meaning a substantially spherical remaining part of the protective helmet inside which the head of a user is accommodated. The helmet <NUM> includes a front opening <NUM> which is defined between the chin guard <NUM> and the cap of the helmet <NUM>. The helmet <NUM> also includes a first gasket <NUM> which is associated with the edge of the cap <NUM> in an upper area with respect to the front opening <NUM> and a second gasket <NUM> which is associated with the edge of the chin guard in a lower area with respect to the front opening <NUM>. The first gasket <NUM> and the second gasket <NUM> may each be formed as one piece or several pieces, this being of no importance for the purposes of the present disclosure. The front opening <NUM> is an opening known in the sector of helmets and usually allows a vision which is as broad as possible for the user.

The protective helmet <NUM> also includes the aforementioned shield <NUM> which is associated with the front opening <NUM> and which, as mentioned, is preferably a visor intended to protect the user's face, while not impeding the vision.

The protective shield <NUM> is a plate-like or foil-like body obtained by means of moulding of plastic material, in a known manner. The protective shield <NUM> has a curved shape which is adapted in the region of the front opening <NUM> to the substantially spherical shape of the cap <NUM> of the protective helmet <NUM>, so as to form an ideal continuation of this spherical shape of the cap <NUM>. The protective shield <NUM> also has two terminal portions <NUM>, <NUM> or end portions. Each end portion <NUM>, <NUM> is lobe-shaped. More preferably, each end portion <NUM>, <NUM> is suitably shaped so as to allow rotation of the protective shield <NUM> around a rotation axis with respect to the remaining portion of the helmet <NUM>. For example, each end portion <NUM>, <NUM> is shaped for coupling with a corresponding rotation mechanism <NUM> associated with the cap <NUM> of the helmet <NUM>. In particular, each end portion <NUM>, <NUM> has at least one hole or alternatively a pin-like body arranged on a respective rotation axis and allows rotation of the said visor together with the chin guard <NUM>, or with respect to the chin guard <NUM> if the latter remains in a closed position. The rotation mechanism <NUM> and coupling of the shield <NUM> with the cap of the helmet <NUM> and the chin guard <NUM> are characteristics known to the person skilled in the art, in particular in the sector of modular helmets, and since these characteristics may be chosen as required from among those available, they are therefore not described here. More particularly, each of the two end portions <NUM>, <NUM> is shaped so as to include a part of the rotation mechanism <NUM> intended to cooperate with a corresponding part of the rotation mechanism <NUM> associated with said remaining portion <NUM> of the protective helmet so as to allow rotation of the shield <NUM> with respect to the remaining portion <NUM> of the protective helmet. The mechanism consists for example of a visor opening mechanism which moves the visor into the open position.

At least one end portion <NUM>, <NUM> of the protective shield <NUM> has a guide element or a conveying guide <NUM>, for example shaped as a protrusion <NUM>, arranged on an internal surface <NUM> of the helmet, namely a surface facing the inside of the helmet. The guide element, in this case, the protrusion <NUM>, projects towards the inside of the helmet to form a side wall <NUM> forming an angle for example of about <NUM>° with the internal surface <NUM> of the shield <NUM>, as can be seen in the detail of <FIG>.

As can be seen, said guide element <NUM> or conveying guide is arranged in at least one or both said end portions <NUM>, <NUM> alongside, or separate from, or spaced with respect to said part of the rotation mechanism <NUM>.

The guide element <NUM> does not form part of the rotation mechanism;
in other words the guide element is independent of the rotation mechanism and is not one of the protrusions which may be present on the shield in order to allow rotation thereof. If the shield is a visor, the rotation mechanism is a visor opening mechanism and the guide element is independent of the visor opening mechanism and is not one of the protrusions which may be present on the visor so as to allow opening of the visor as required.

Even more preferably, with reference to the attached figures, the guide element <NUM>, in this case said protrusion <NUM>, extends in a direction from an upper free edge <NUM> of the protective shield <NUM>, to a lower free edge <NUM> of the protective shield <NUM>, namely a direction which, when the protective helmet is worn and the shield is lowered and closes the front opening <NUM>, extends from the top downwards. It is to be understood that, within the scope of the present disclosure, in the description and claims, any spatial reference, such as upper, lower, front, lateral, etc., is to be understood, solely for explanatory and clarification purposes, but without limitation, as referring to a helmet worn by a user in a normal position of use and with the opening <NUM> directed forwards.

Preferably, the guide element <NUM>, in this case said protrusion <NUM>, follows a slightly curved trajectory in line with a curvature around the rotation mechanism <NUM>.

Even more particularly, the guide element <NUM>, in this case said protrusion <NUM>, occupies only a part of a trajectory which extends from the upper free edge <NUM> of the protective shield <NUM> to the lower free edge <NUM> of the protractive shield <NUM>, and in particular is situated in the bottom part of the protective shield <NUM> until it reaches nearly the lower free edge <NUM>, preferably at a suitable distance.

As a result, in the closed visor position of the shield <NUM>, the guide element <NUM>, in this case said protrusion <NUM>, comes into contact with the second bottom gasket <NUM>. More particularly, it should be noted that the second bottom gasket <NUM> does not extend over the entire lower perimeter which defines the front opening <NUM> of the protective helmet, but is interrupted at the end portion <NUM>, <NUM> so as to define a free end <NUM>. The guide element <NUM>, in this case said protrusion <NUM>, is arranged so as to come into contact with said free end <NUM> of the bottom gasket <NUM>, when the shield <NUM> is in the closed position.

As a result, at the free end <NUM> of the bottom gasket <NUM>, where the front opening <NUM> terminates laterally, a sealed closure is formed on the internal surface <NUM> with the guide element <NUM>, in this case said protrusion <NUM>.

As can be seen from the figures, preferably both the end portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the protective shield <NUM> have said guide element <NUM>, in this specific case protrusion <NUM>, preferably on the lower part of the internal surface <NUM> of the protective shield. It is understood, therefore, that the same characteristics of the guide element <NUM> of an end portion <NUM> are symmetrical and identical, with respect to a vertical mid-plane, or sagittal plane, when the helmet is worn, to those of the other end portion <NUM>.

Even more particularly, the protrusion <NUM> may in this case be a rib obtained by means of the moulding of the protective shield <NUM>, but it is also possible to form the protrusion using a different method. What is important is that, on the inside of the protective shield <NUM>, there should be a small wall <NUM> against which the water may flow. In particular, the guide element may be a small channel for the water which said wall may have, suitably shaped, and create a seal with the bottom gasket.

A plurality of ribs or channels or other guide elements suitably designed to convey the water may also be provided.

In fact, in connection with the present disclosure, what is important is that the internal surface is superficially machined, in order to make advantageous use of the surface tension of the water, and be able to convey the water in a desired direction, for example where the bottom gasket is situated.

In fact, as can be seen from <FIG>, the water strikes the top part of the visor in both end portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the protective shield, in the vicinity of the rotation mechanism <NUM>. Owing to the effect of capillarity and gravity the water would tend to reach the inner area, namely the internal surface <NUM>, of the shield associated with the field of vision. Instead, by means of the guiding action provided by the side wall defined by the protrusion or other guide element <NUM>, the water is conveyed downwards flowing along said wall <NUM> of the guide element <NUM> as far as the second bottom gasket <NUM> and inside a slit which is situated between the shield <NUM> and the cap <NUM> in the front area of the helmet <NUM>, as indicated by the arrow.

It should be noted that the proposed solution underlying the present disclosure may also be applied to full-face helmets. As already mentioned, in full-face helmets, a gasket may be formed without discontinuity (by means of moulding with a given shape rather than being extruded and adapted to the edge). Nevertheless, the use according to the present invention would in any case be effective since a system which conveys the water outside the zone of the visor associated with the field of vision ensures further safety for the user. Another area of use could that of jet helmets (in which there is no chin guard). The presence of the movable transparent visor results in a situation similar to that of modular helmets. In this case the use also of the present invention improves the riding safety, since the water could be guided along the internal surface of the visor.

Claim 1:
Shield (<NUM>) for a protective helmet (<NUM>), wherein said shield (<NUM>) includes a plate-shaped or foil-shaped body configured for association with a remaining portion (<NUM>) of the protective helmet (<NUM>), wherein said plate-shaped or foil-shaped body includes two end portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) each shaped to include a part of a rotation mechanism (<NUM>) intended to cooperate with a corresponding part of the rotation mechanism (<NUM>) associated with said remaining portion (<NUM>) of the protective helmet so as to allow a rotation of the shield (<NUM>) with respect to the remaining portion (<NUM>) of the protective helmet and
wherein said plate-shaped or foil-shaped body has an internal surface (<NUM>) intended to face an internal area of the remaining portion of the helmet (<NUM>), characterised by
said internal surface (<NUM>) having a guide element (<NUM>) having at least one conveying wall (<NUM>) for conveying water arriving on said internal surface (<NUM>),
and wherein said guide element (<NUM>) is arranged at least in at least one or both said two end portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) separate from said part of the rotation mechanism (<NUM>), and wherein said guide element (<NUM>) is independent of said rotation mechanism (<NUM>).