DION, Stéphane (10e Rang Ouest, Ste-Cécile de Milton Québec, JOE 2CO, CA)
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A protective headwear comprising a shell, a chin bar, and a mounting assembly for pivotally mounting said chin bar to said shell so as to be pivotable between a closed position and an open position, said mounting assembly comprising a female portion and a male portion mounted to said female portion, wherein when pivoting said chin bar from said closed position to said open position, one of said female and male portions rotates relative to the other causing a longitudinal displacement of one of said female and male portions with respect to the other thereby widening said chin bar during passage from said closed position to said open position
2 A protective headwear according to claim 1 , wherein said male portion rotates within said female portion
3 A protective headwear according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein one of said female and male portions is mounted to said shell and the other is mounted to said chin bar
4. A protective headwear according to claim 3, wherein said female portion is mounted to said shell and said male portion is mounted to said chin bar
5 A protective headwear according to any one of claims 1 to
4, wherein said female and male portions comprise respective corresponding engaging elements
6 A protective headwear according to any one of claims 1 to
5, wherein said mounting assembly comprises a helical screw assembly
7. A protective headwear according to any one of claims 1 to
6, wherein said female portion is mounted to said shell, said male portion being mounted to said chin bar.
8, A protective headwear according to any one of claims 1 to
7, wherein said female portion comprises a shoulder and a central aperture for receiving said male portion therein.
9. A protective headwear according to claim 8, wherein said shoulder abuts the inside surface of said shell
10. A protective headwear according to any one claims 8 to 9, wherein said central aperture comprises engaging elements.
11. A protective headwear according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein said female portion engaging elements comprise a helical thread.
12 A protective headwear according to claim 11 , wherein said helical thread is a double helical thread.
13 A protective headwear according to any one of claims 1 to 12 T wherein said male portion comprises a generally cylindrical outer surface for entering said female portion.
14. A protective headwear according to claim 13, wherein said cylindrical outer surface comprises engaging elements.
15. A protective headwear according to any one of claims 5 to 14, wherein said male portion engaging elements comprise a helical thread 16 A protective headwear according to claim 15, wherein said helical thread is a double helical thread.
17. A protective headwear according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein during said pivoting, said chin bar from said closed position to said open position, said male portion so rotates within said female portion as to partially egress said female portion thereby causing said longitudinal displacement.
18. A protective headwear according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein said mounting assembly further comprises a ramp and a skid for mutual cooperation.
19. A protective headwear according to claim 18, wherein said ramp is mounted to the outer surface of said shell, said skid being mounted to the inner surface of said chin bar
20. A protective headwear according to any one of claims 18 to 19 , wherein said ramp comprises a thin portion and a thick portion, said skid being movable along said ramp, movement of said skid along said ramp from said thin portion to said thick portion provides assistance in said widening of said chin bar
21 A protective headwear according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein said ramp further comprises a bump between said thin portion and said thick portion, said skid frictionally engaging said bump when said chin bar is in said open position.
22. A protective headwear according to any one of claims 1 to 21 , further comprising resilient sealing elements mounted to the outer surface of said shell, wherein when pivoting said chin bar from said open position to said closed position said resilient sealing elements are compressed.
23 A protective headwear according to claim 22, wherein said resilient sealing elements comprise a top and bottom seals.
24 A protective headwear according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein moving said chin bar from said open position to said closed position narrows the gap between said chin bar and said shell.
25 A mounting assembly for a flip-up protective headwear comprising a shell and a chin bar for pivotally mounting the chin bar to the shell, said mounting assembly comprising a female portion and a male portion mounted to said female portion, wherein when pivoting the chin bar from a closed position to an open position, one of said female and male portions rotateis relative to the other causing a longitudinal displacement of one of said female and male portions with respect to the other thereby widening the chin bar during passage from said closed position to said open position.
26 A mounting assembly according to claim 25, wherein sa;d male portion rotates within said female portion
27 A mounting assembly according to any one of claims 25 and 26, wherein one of said female and male portions is mountable to the shell and the other is mountable to the chin bar
28. A mounting assembly according to claim 27, wherein said female portion is mountable to the shell and said male portion is mountable to the chin bar.
29 A mounting assembly according to any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein said female and male portions comprise respective corresponding engaging elements.
30. A mounting assembly according to any one of claims 25 to 29, further comprising a helical screw assembly.
31. A mounting assembly according to any one of claims 25 to 30, wherein said female portion is mountable to the shell, said male portion is mountable to the chin bar.
32. A mounting assembly according to any one of claims 25 to 31 , wherein said female portion comprises a shoulder and a central aperture for receiving said male portion therein.
33. A mounting assembly according to claim 32, wherein said shoulder abuts the inside surface of the shell when said female portion is mounted thereto
34 A mounting assembly according to any one of claims 32 to 33, wherein said central aperture comprises engaging elements.
35 A mounting assembly according to any one of claims 29 to 34, wherein said female portion engaging elements comprise a helical thread. 36, A mounting assembly according to claim 35, wherein said helical thread is a double helical thread.
37. A mounting assembly according to any one of claims 25 to 36, wherein said male portion comprises a generally cylindrical outer surface for entering said female portion.
38 A mounting assembly according to claim 37, wherein said cylindrical outer surface comprises engaging elements.
39. A mounting assembly according to any one of claims 29 to 38, wherein said male portion engaging elements comprise a helical thread
40. A mounting assembly according to claim 39, wherein said helical thread is a double helical thread.
41 A mounting assembly according to any one of claims 25 to 40, wherein during said pivoting, the chin bar from said closed position to said open position, said male portion so rotates within said female portion as to partially egress said female portion thereby causing said longitudinal displacement.
42. A mounting assembly according to any one of claims 25 to 41 , further comprising a ramp and a skid for mutual cooperation.
43. A mounting assembly according to claim 42, wherein said ramp is mountable to the outer surface of the shell, said skid being mountable to the inner surface of the chin bar
44. A mounting assembly according to any one of claims 42 to 43 , wherein said ramp comprises a thin portion and a thick portion, said skid being movable along said ramp, movement of said skid along said ramp from said thin portion to said thick portion provides assistance in said widening of the chin bar.
45. A mounting assembly according to any one of claims 25 to 44, wherein said ramp further comprises a bump between said thin portion and said thick portion, said skid frictionally engaging said bump when the chin bar is in said open position.
46. A mounting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein moving the chin bar from said open position to said closed position narrows the gap between said chin bar and said shell. |
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
FLIP-UP MECHANISM FOR FULL-FACE HELMET
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to full-face protective headwear such as full-face helmets. More particularly but not exclusively, the present invention is concerned with a flip-up mechanism for a full-face helmet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The so-called "full-face helmets" are widely known in the art.
They usually come in two different styles, the conventional style where the shell and the chin bar of the helmet are integrally formed and the flip-up style where the chin bar is hingedly mounted to the shell for movements between open and closed positions.
[0003] To allow for movements between the open and closed positions, a flip-up mechanism is provided between the shell and the chin bar. Conventionally, the shells used on such flip-up helmets have generally flat sides to allow the pivoting action of the chin bar between these two positions. This imposes aesthetic limitations on the styling of the helmet. Furthermore, a relatively large gap must be maintained between the chin bar and the shell to allow the pivoting action. This gap increases the noise level inside the helmet.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a flip- up mechanism for a full-face helmet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a protective headwear comprising a shell, a chin bar, and a mounting assembly for pivotally mounting the chin bar to the shell so as to be pivotable between a closed position and an open position, the mounting assembly comprising a female portion and a male portion mounted to the female portion, wherein when pivoting the chin bar from the closed position to the open position, one of the female and male portions rotates relative to the other causing a longitudinal displacement of one of the female and male portions with respect to the other thereby widening the chin bar during passage from said closed position to said open position
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting assembly for a flip-up protective headwear comprising a shell and a chin bar for pivotally mounting the chin bar to the shell, the mounting assembly comprising a female portion and a male portion mounted to the female portion, wherein when pivoting the chin bar from a closed position to an open position, one of the female and male portions rotates relative to the other causing a longrtudiπal displacement of one of the female and male portions with respect to the other thereby widening the chin bar during passage from the closed position to the open position
[0007] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non- restπctive description of illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
10008] In the appended drawings:
[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a flip-up helmet provided with a flip-up mechanism according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; the helmet being shown in a closed position;
[0010] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the flip-up helmet of Figure 1 shown in an open position;
[0011] Figure 3 is a perspective exploded view of the helmet of
Figure 1, the chin bar being partially shown for clarity purpose,
[0012] Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view similar to Figure 3 but showing the inside surface of the chin bar;
[0013] Figure 5A is a rear view of the flip-up helmet of Figure 1 , the chin bar being in a closed position;
[0014] Figure 5B is a sectional rear view similar to Figure 5A illustrating the helical screw assembly when the chin bar is in the closed position,
[0015] Figure 6A is a rear view of the flip-up helmet of Figure 1 , the chin bar being in an open position; and
[0016] Figure 6B is a sectional rear view similar to Figure 6A illustrating the helical screw assembly when the chin bar is in the open position
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Generally stated an illustrative embodiment of the present invention is concerned with a flip-up mechanism allowing smooth movements of the chin bar of a flip-up style full-face helmet between open and closed positions. The flip-up mechanism includes a helical screw assembly that has a relatively large thread so configured as to widen the chin bar when the chin bar is pivoted towards its open position and replace the chin bar in its narrow configuration when it is pivoted back towards its closed position.
[0018] Turning now to Figure 1 of the appended drawings, a protective headwear such as a flip-up style full face helmet 10 according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0019] The full face helmet 10 includes a shell 12 and a pivotable chin bar 14. The chin bar 14 is pivotally mounted to the shell 12 via a helical screw assembly 16 that allow the chin bar 14 to be pivoted between the closed position illustrated in Figure 1 and the open position illustrated in Figure 2.
[0020] The chin bar 14 also includes a transparent face shield 15 conventionally pivotally mounted thereto. Since face shields such as 15 are believed well known in the art, they will not be further discussed herein.
[0021] Of course, the chin bar 14 and the shell 12 are provided with a locking mechanism (not shown) that selectively lock the chin bar 14 in the closed position for safety purpose. Again, since such locking mechanisms are various and well known in the art, they will not be further discussed herein.
[0022] As can be better seen from Figure 3, the flip-up mechanism includes a mounting assembly such as a three part helical screw assembly 16 defined by a female portion 18, secured to the shell 12, a male portion 20 mounted to the female portion 18 and a fastener 22 secured to the male portion 20; a ramp 24 mounted to the external surface of the shell 12 and a skid 26 secured to the inner surface of the chin bar 14.
[0023] The female portion 18 of the three part helical screw assembly 16 is mounted to the shell 12 from the inside of the shell 12 as is apparent from Figure 3. The female portion 18 is provided with a shoulder portjon 19 so configured as to abut the inside surface of the shell 12. An adhesive (not shown) may be used to fixedly mount the female portion 18 to the shell 12 The female portion 18 includes a central aperture 28 provided with engaging elements such an internal double relatively large helical thread 30 to allow the male portion 20 to be inserted therein as will be described hereinbelow.
[0024] The male portion 20 has a generally cylindrical outer surface and is configured and sized as to enter the central aperture 28 of the female portion 18 The male portion 20 includes engaging elements such as an external double relatively large helical thread 32 corresponding to the double relatively large helical internal thread 30 of the female portion 18 Accordingly, rotation of the male portion 20 within the female portion 18 causes a longitudinal displacement of one portion with respect to the other, caused by the contact between the internal and external threads of these elements.
[0025] The male portion 20 also includes a central threaded aperture (see numeral 34 in Figures 5B and 6B) allowing the fastener 22, including external treads (not shown) to be mounted thereto as will be discussed hereinbelow. Finally, the male portion 20 includes longitudinal projections 36
configured and sized as to interconnect with cutout portions 38 (see Figure 4) of the chin bar 14
[0026] The three part helical screw assembly 16 is assembled as follows. The female portion 18 is mounted to the shell 12 and secured thereto The male portion 20 is then threadingly inserted in the central opening 28 of the female portion 18 The chin bar 14 is mounted to the shell 12 by aligning the cutout portions 38 with the longitudinal projections 36 and by threadingly inserting the fastener 22 into the threaded aperture 34 of the male portion 20 from the outside surface of the chin bar 14. The operation of the three part helical screw assembly 16 will be described hereinbelow.
[0027] As mentioned hereinabove, the flip up mechanism also includes a ramp 24 and a corresponding skid 26 As can be seen from Figure 3, the ramp 24 is fixedly mounted to the outside surface of the shell 12 via fasteners or adhesives (not shown). At a corresponding location on the inner surface of the chin bar 14, better seen in Figure 4, is mounted the skid 26 for cooperation with the ramp 24. As can be seen from Figure 3. the ramp 24 has a thin portion 40 so thickening as to end in a thick portion 42 The ramp 24 also has an irregularity in its thickening in the form of a bump 44 The contact between the skid 26 and the ramp 24 help the widening of the chin bar 14 upon opening thanks to the thickening of the ramp 24. It is to be noted that the bump 44 provides a resting place for the skid 26 when the chin bar 14 reaches its open position shown in Figure 2. One skilled in the art will understand that the fπctionaf engagement between the skid 26 and the bump 44 of the ramp 24 may easily be overcome by the user that desires to move the chin bar from the open position to the closed position.
[0028] Turning now to Figures 5A and 5B of the appended drawings that both illustrate a rear view of the helmet 10 when the chin bar 14 is in the
closed position shown in Figure 1. As can be seen from these figures, the gap between the chin bar 14 and the shell 12 is relatively narrow when the chin bar 14 is in the closed position. Figure 5B illustrates the various elements of the flip-up mechanism described hereinabove As can be seen from this figure, the male portion 20 is enclosed in the female portion 18, thereby positioning the chin bar 14 in a narrow configuration.
[0029] Figures 6A and 6B are similar to Figures 5A and 5B but illustrate the chin bar 14 in the open position shown in Figure 2. As can be seen from Figure 6B, the male portion 20 is partly outside the female portion 18, thereby positioning the chin bar 14 in a widened configuration One skilled in the art will easily understand that the widening of the chin bar 14 is caused by the corresponding relatively large threads 30 and 32 of the female 18 and male 20 portions, respectively. Indeed, the pivoting action required to move the chin bar 14 from the closed position of Figure 1 to the open position of Figure 2 causes the male portion 20 to partially egress the female portion 18, causing the widening of the chin bar 14.
[0030] This widening of the chin bar 14 during the passage of the chin bar 14 from the closed position to the opened position has many advantages. For example, it is possible to design a chin bar 14 that is more aerodynamic since the gap between the chin bar 14 and the shell 12 is narrower Also, the size of the chin bar 14 in the area of the fastener 22 may be kept smaller and with a concave inner surface to better fit with the shell 12 Indeed, should there be no widening of the chin bar 14 during operation, the facing surface of the chin bar 14 and the shell 12 should be kept generally flat and parallel to allow the pivoting of the chin bar 14.
[0031] It is also possible to better seal the chin bar 14 to the shell 12 when the chin bar 14 is in its closed position Returning to Figure 3, the shell
12 is provided with resilient sealing elements in the form of a top seal 46 and a bottom seal 48, both secured to the external surface of the shell 12. These resilient sealing elements 46 and 48 are compressed when the chin bar 14 is pivoted from the open position to the closed position, providing a good seal between the chin bar 14 and the shell 12. Accordingly, the gap between the chin bar 14 and the shell 12 is minimal and adequately sealed, thus reducing the sound generated by the wind at the interface between the chin bar 14 and the shell 12,
[0032] Therefore, the present invention provides a flip-up mechanism allowing smooth movements of the chin bar of a flip-up style full- face helmet between open and closed positions. The flip-up mechanism includes a mounting assembly such as helical screw assembly that has a relatively large thread so configured as to widen the chin bar when the chin bar is pivoted towards its open position and replace the chin bar-' in a riarrow configuration when it is pivoted bacK towards its closed position
[0033] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. Hence, although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit, scope and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.
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