FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to protective helmets (such as those used by firemen) and engagement assemblies and components thereof.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Safety helmets for various purposes are well known. For example, safer;' helmets are used as firemen's helmets, in dangerous sports and as bike helmets.

[0003] Typically it is desirable for such safety helmets to include a retractable visor. Traditional firemen's helmets, for example, include the visor on the outer surface of the helmet. Muld-layered helmets such as described in our PCT application WO 2005/120265 t^ically include a. visor attached to one of the outer helmet layers. One of the problems with having the visor mechanism exposed is that the mechanism can easily be damaged owing to the nature of the environment in which the helmet is used.

[0004] TypicaEy such damage results in the need to replace expensive parts and/or replace the entire helmet. Once the helmet shell is damaged, generally the whole helmet is replaced. This is very costly and often requires disposing of a complete helmet when other parts of the helmet are not damaged.

[0005] It is typically desired for helmets to have as low a bulk as possible so as to not impede the actions of the user wearing the helmet. The difficulty with attachments on the exterior of the helmet, for example to support the visor, is that they catch on items, or add to the bulk of the helmet if a protective encasement is required for such mechanisms.

[0006] In this specification, where reference has been made to external sources of information, including patent specifications and other documents, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the present invention. Unless stated otherwise, reference to such sources of information is not to be construed, in any jurisdiction, as an admission that such sources of information are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a helmet which overcomes or at least ameliorates some of the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.

[0008] Other objects of die invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In one aspect of the invention there is provided a visored helmet comprising

. inner and outer shell layers,

2. a visor located between the inner and outer shell layers movable between a deployed and stowed position to define a visor movement path,

3. a removable bridging bracket that locates between or adjacent the inner and outer shell layers, and whereby (though not solely) the inner and outer shells are connected with each other,

wherein the bridging bracket has any one or more of the features selected from the group comprising

i) a visor articulation or attachment to provide an articulation that defines the visor movement path,

ii) a visor movement dampener,

iii) an adjustable visor movement path limiter to limit the extent of visor deployment along the visor movement path,

iv) a visor movement channel to house a portion at least of the visor movement path,

v) a chin strap or chin strap attachment,

vi) a visor stop to hold the visor in the stowed position, and

vii) any one or more of i) to vii).

[0010] In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a visored helmet that comprises

an inner shell layer indexed or nested within an outer shell layer and providing a recess between said inner and outer layers,

a visor located in the recess between said inner and outer layers and movable between a deployed and stowed position to define a visor movement path, and

a removable bridging bracket to retain the inner hard shell layer within the outer hard shell layer.

[0011] In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a visored helmet comprising an inner shell, adapted to be seated on a person's head,

an outer shell nesting over the inner shell, the outer shell preferably being held relative to the inner shell,

two articulation supports for the visor located between the shells, (the supports optionally being involved in the holding of one shell relative to the other), and a visor carried by the two articulation supports and moveable between deployed and towed positions reliant on such articulation supports.

[0012] In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising

an inner helmet shell,

an outer helmet shell,

a visor,

a bridging bracket that has any one or more of the features selected from the group comprising

i) a visor articulation or attachment to provide an articulation that defines the visor movement path,

ii) a visor movement dampener,

iii) an adjustable visor movement path limiter to limit the extent of visor deployment along the visor movement path,

iv) a visor movement channel to house a portion at least of the visor movement path,

v) a chin strap or chin strap attachment,

vi) a visor stop to hold the visor in the stowed position, and

vii) any one or more of i) to vii).

[0013] The following embodiments may relate to any of the above aspects.

[0014] In some embodiments the bridging bracket connects the inner and outer shell layers together when the helmet is in an assembled condition.

[0015] In some embodiments the outer shell layer comprises a rim.

[0016] In some embodiments the bridging bracket comprises a flange that protrudes substantially parallel to the outer shell layer rim surface. Preferably said flange is fastened to the outer shell rim, but in some embodiments may be attached to both the inner and outer shell layers.

[0017] In some embodiments the bridging bracket has any one or more of the features selected from the group comprising

i) a visor articulation or attachment to provide an articulation that defines the visor movement path,

ii) a visor movement dampener,

iii) an adjustable visor movement path limiter to limit the extent of visor deployment along the visor movement path, iv) a visor movement channel to house a portion at least of the visor movement path,

v) a chin strap or chin strap attachment,

vi) a visor stop to hold the visor in the stowed position, and

vii) any one or more of i) to vii).

[0018] In some embodiments the bridging bracket is fastened to the rim surface.

[0019] In some embodiments the bridging bracket is fastened to the inner shell layer.

[0020] In some embodiments the bridging bracket is fastened to the inner shell layer and the outer shell layer.

[0021] In some embodiments the bridging bracket is at least in part sandwichly retained between the inner and outer shell layers, such that when the inner and outer shell layers are connected to each other (preferably by some other mechanism) the bridging bracket is held in place securely between the inner and outer shell layers.

[0022] In some embodiments the inner shell, the outer shell or the inner and the outer shell are hard shells.

[0023] In some embodiments the outer shell is the outmost shell.

[0024] In some embodiments the inner shell is to seat on a person's head.

[0025] In some embodiments the visor is housed within the visor channel of the bridging bracket when the visor is in a deployed position.

[0026] In some embodiments the fastening is by way of rivets or screws, or a mixture thereof.

[0027] In some embodiments the visor attachment pivot is located on the outer surface of the inner hell layer.

[0028] In some embodiments the dampener mechanism is located on the outer surface of the inner hell layer.

[0029] In some embodiments the articulation supports for the visor are located between the shells and on opposite sides of the shells. [0030] In some embodiments the inner surface of the inner shell layer comprises indexing to facilitate insertion of a head cap.

[0031] In some embodiments the helmet is designed to allow for easy replacement of helmet parts.

[0032] In some embodiments the helmet is a fireman's helmet.

[0033] Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which:

[0036] Figure 1 is a side view of a helmet assembly of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the components of the helmet assembly of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 3 is a side view of a bridging bracket of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 4 is a side perspective view of a bridging bracket of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 5 is a top view of a bridging bracket of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 6 is a side view of a bridging bracket of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 7 is a side perspective cut-out view of the helmet assembly of the present invention with the bridging bracket removed.

[0043] Figure 8 is a side perspective cut-out view of a helmet assembly of figure 7 with the bridging bracket included. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] In one aspect of the invention there is provided a visoted helmet comprising

1. inner and outer shell layers,

2. a visor located between the inner and outer shell layers movable between a deployed and stowed position to define a visor movement path,

3. a removable bridging bracket that locates between or adjacent the inner and outer shell layers,

wherein the bridging bracket has any one or more of the features selected from the group comprising

i) a visor articulation or attachment to provide an articulation that defines the visor movement path,

ii) a visor movement dampener,

iii) an adjustable visor movement path limiter to limit the extent of visor deployment along the visor movement path,

iv) a visor movement channel to house a portion at least of the visor movement path,

v) a chin strap or chin strap attachment,

vi) a visor stop to hold the visor in the stowed position, and

vii) any one or more of i) to vii).

1. Definitions

[0045] As used herein the term "and/ or" means "and" or "or", or both.

[0046] The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of. When interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

2. Outer shell layer

[0047] The outer shell layer is typically the most expansive layer in terms of the protection given to the user since the outer layer generally includes a rim. The rim at the rear of the helmet gives protection to the user's neck. [0048] In some embodiments the rim has skirting that may depend from the rim of the helmet and extend around a part thereof of the helmet. The purpose of the skirting, as present in most firemen helmets, is to give protection to the back and sides of the user's neck.

[0049] The outer shell layer typically is made of hard plastic material and may include a number of devices such as a torch that attaches to the exterior of the helmet.

[0050] With many firemen's helmets, such as those helmets typically used in the United States, the visor attachment is located on the outer surface of the helmet.

[0051] In one aspect of the present invention is provided a helmet that has a streamlined outer surface and does not carry any mechanisms or accessories needed for the function of the helmet and visor.

[0052] It will be appreciated that an advantage of streamlined construction is that it reduces the chance that debris or the like is caught on the helmet when in use.

3. Inner shell layer

[0053] The inner shell layer sits indexed within the outer shell layer. The inner shell layer preferably is formed from a hard plastics material and is preferably spaced, at least in part, from the outer shell helmet layer to provide some form of recess between the inner and outer shells.

[0054] In some embodiments, a visor is located within this recess when the visor is in a stowed position.

[0055] In some embodiment the remainder of the recess, if present beyond that recess used for stowing the visor, is filled with a filler material. By way of example the filler material may be a foaming material suitable for impact energy and thermal protection. For example, polystyrene or polyurethane. In some embodiments the filler material may continue part way or majority around the circumference of the outer layer of the inner shell helmet layer.

[0056] In some embodiments the inner shell layer includes a means for attaching a skull cap for a user's head. By way of example, the portion of the helmet in direct contact with the user's head is termed a skull cap and this is generally customised to a shape of the user's head either through the provision of certain standard sizes or by being direcdy customized to an individual's head. The skull cap is indexed within the inner shell layer and can be held in place in the inner shell layer by clips, Velcro, glue, clips or any other fastening means that would be known to a person skilled in the art. [0057] In some embodiments of the invention the inner shell layer may direcdy support the visor attachment pivot and other mechanisms that contribute towards the movement of the visor. For example, the inner shell layer may also support the visor movement dampener.

[0058] The inner shell layer is retained within the outer shell layer by an bridging bracket that attaches to both inner and outer shell layers holding them in position relative to each other.

[0059] In some embodiments the bridging bracket is fixed to the inner shell layer through the use of fasteners such as rivets or screws. It should be appreciated that other fasteners can be used. For example, the bridging bracket could be held in position by being sandwiched between a slotted aperture present in the inner shell helmet.

[0060] When held in position by way of a slotted aperture in the inner shell helmet into which a portion of the bridging bracket is inserted, that portion inserted by being sandwiched within the aperture of the inner shell layer may be held in position by fasteners that protrude through from the inner shell layer and bracket to hold both the abridging bracket and the inner shell layer affixed to each other relative to each other.

[0061] In some embodiments the inner shell layer may also carry the visor dampening mechanism direcdy on its outer surface. In such case preferably the visor dampening mechanism is held within a cut-out of the inner shell layer to which the previously mentioned lining that may optionally be present on the exterior surface of the inner shell layer extends around and provides said cut-out.

[0062] It should be appreciated that an advantage of the design is that the mechanism for controlling the visor movement is safely held within the gap between the inner shell helmet and the outer shell helmet. It is therefore not exposed to the environment to which the helmet is being used. For example, when used as a firemen's helmet in highly dangerous situations it is clearly very easy for parts of the helmet to be damaged while in use. The advantage of having the mechanisms for the primary visor movement between the inner and outer shell layers is that they are protected from this environment therefore extending the life of the helmet and reducing the need to replace as they are damaged.

[0063] Additionally, the advantage of this design is that the streamlined shape and allows for the helmet to have as little bulk as possible since bulky helmets can impede the user if being used in a high risk environment such as would occur as a firemen's helmet. [0064] It should be appreciated that the visor movement mechanisms can be used in conjunction with the helmet of the present invention. See our PCT publication WO 2009/ 48335 that describes visor movement mechanisms.

4. Bridging bracket

[0065] In some embodiments of the invention the bridging bracket has any one or more of the features selected from the group comprising

i) a visor articulation or attachment to provide an articulation that defines the visor movement path,

ii) a visor movement dampener,

iii) an adjustable visor movement path limiter to limit the extent of visor deployment along the visor movement path,

iv) a visor movement channel to house a portion at least of the visor movement path,

v) a chin strap or chin strap attachment,

vi) a visor stop to hold the visor in the stowed position, and

vii) any one or more of i) to vii) .

[0066] In some embodiments the bridging bracket connects the inner and outer shell layers to each other. The bridging bracket can be affixed to either the inner shell layer or outer shell layer through a number of different means as described above.

[0067] In some embodiments the bridging bracket is sandwiched between the inner and outer shell layers without being (00:19?) affixed to either one or more of the inner or outer shell layers. The inner and outer shell layers may be connected to each other through some other means with the bridging bracket held in place by being sandwiched between the two layers.

[0068] In some embodiments the bridging bracket comprises a flange that protrudes substantially parallel to the outer shell layer rim surface. Preferably said flange is fastened to the outer shell rim.

[0069] Preferably the bridging bracket carries on it many of the various functionalities required of the helmet such as mechanisms relating to the visor movement and chin strap.

[0070] In some embodiments the bridging bracket includes a channel that is cut out of the bracket to allow movement of the visor along the movement path between the stowed and deployed positions. [0071] In some embodiments at least one of the bridging brackets includes an adjustable visor movement path limiter for controlling the extent of movement of the visor along the visor movement path. For example, the adjustable visor movement path limiter may be a projection at or around the channel that protrudes into the channel and whose protrusion is adjustable. For example, as the protrusion is increased, the visor contacts the protrusion earlier than if the distance of the protrusion is decreased therefore controlling how far down the visor moves when in its deployed state. In a preferred embodiment the visor movement adjustment means is a screw whose height can be adjusted with the channel portion of the bridging bracket.

[0072] In some embodiments the bridging bracket contains both the visor attachment and/ or the visor movement dampener.

[0073] In some embodiments the bridging bracket contains a visor stop that can be activated to hold the visor in the retained position if need be. For example, if it is desired that the visor remains in a stowed position securely or if the visor mechanism is damaged and needs to be held in a retained position. It should be appreciated that a visor stop can include a number of different aspects and could include a projection that is rotated to overlap the visor when in a stowed position to prevent it from moving downwards or could include a push button that inserts into a corresponding hole in the visor to lock it into position.

[0074] In some embodiments the bridging bracket also includes the attachment point for a chin strap.

[0075] An advantage of the present invention is that this modular design allows various components of the helmet to be replaced easily. For example, when using a firemen's helmet the helmets are easily damaged and instead of requiring the helmet to be replaced, which increases expense, the design of the present invention allows for easy disassemble and replacement of damaged parts. This saves cost and also allows for helmets to be easily repaired onsite as need be.

[0076] Additionally, as mentioned above, the design of the helmet to provide for the bridging bracket to be substantially held between the inner and outer shells protects the visor mechanisms which would otherwise be easily damaged.

EXAMPLE

[0077] The following example describes a firemen's helmet.

[0078] With reference to Figures 1 and 2 is shown a helmet assembly 1 that is formed from an outer shell layer 2, an inner shell layer 3 and a bridging bracket 4. The outer shell layer 2 is typically a hard outer protective layer and the inner shell layer 3 is typically designed as a hard shell layer. The inner shell layer may be formed from a softer material since protection is provided by the outer shell layer. In some instances where the inner shell layer 3 is also formed from harder material this adds to the protection given by the outer shell layer.

[0079] Shown in Figures 1 and 2 is that the visor 5 is located between the outer shell layer 2 and the inner shell layer 3 and rotates about a visor articulation or attachment 6 on the inner shell layer 3 or alternatively on the bridging bracket 4.

[0080] Shown in Figure 2 is that the visor 5 is a single piece that rotates about an arc from the visor articulation or attachment point 6. It will be appreciated that numerous visor designs could be used such as one that they use a track to define the visor movement path or a visor 5 formed by multiple parts.

[0081] Shown in Figures 3-6 is the bridging bracket. The bridging bracket 4 in this example is designed to connect the outer shell layer 2 to the inner shell layer 3. However, it should be appreciated in some embodiments of the present invention the bridging bracket may be sandwiched between the inner and outer shell layers.

[0082] Shown in Figures 3-6 is that the bridging bracket includes a tab 7 that inserts into an associated slot 8 in the helmet shell 3.

[0083] The bridging bracket 4 comprises attachment points 8 for attaching to the outer shell layer 2.

[0084] In some embodiments, and as shown in the example, the attachment point 8 for attaching to the outer shell layer 2 is present as screws that attach to the rim of the outer shell layer as shown in figure 2.

[0085] In some embodiments, and as shown in the examples, the bridging bracket includes a chin strap attachment 9.

[0086] Shown in figure 7 is the visor articulation or attachment 6 that is connected to the inner shell layer. In some embodiments the visor articulation or attachment 6 may also be formed with the bridging bracket 4.

[0087] In the present example the visor articulation and attachment 6 includes adjacent to it a dampening mechanism 10 and spring that vices the visor to a downward position in a controlled movement as discussed in our PCT patent application published as WO 2009/148335. As part of this design the visor includes a locking clasp 11 that locks the visor into a stowed position.

[0088] Not shown in the Example and which can be included, is a visor stop to keep the visor in a stowed position. This lock may be a rotatable lock that attaches to either the inner shell layer or the bridging bracket, and can be rotated to engaged the lower surface of the visor to keep the visor in a stowed position if, for example, the locking clasp 11 fails.

[0089] Such a visor stop can be in various forms and is preferably easily moveable by the user to engage the lower surface of the visor to maintain the visor in the stowed position.

[0090] Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to elements or integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are included as if they were individually set forth.

[0091] Although the invention has been described by way of example and with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and/ or improvements may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.