VAN TILBURG, Mark Wilhelmus Theresia (Couperusstraat 8, ZC Son, NL-5691, NL)
RENSINK, Pim (Bonistraat 38, SL Utrecht, NL-3532, NL)
VAN TILBURG, Mark Wilhelmus Theresia (Couperusstraat 8, ZC Son, NL-5691, NL)
| Claims 1. Helmet configuration, comprising - a helmet shell (2), - an inside helmet structure (3), attached to the helmet shell and arranged to enclose the helmet user's cranium, - ear muffs (5) arranged for covering the helmet user's ears (6), a top side of each ear muff having a recessed portion (10), configured to receive the inside helmet structure (3) of the helmet (2), the ear muff having a protrusive part (7) extending from the recessed portion (10) under said inside helmet structure (3), between the inside helmet structure (3) and the user's head during use of the helmet configuration. 2. Helmet configuration according to claim 1, comprising a chin strap (4), arranged to extend from opposite sides of the helmet towards the helmet user's chin, wherein said ear muffs are arranged to be in contact with said inside helmet structure (3) and the chin strap (4) during use of the helmet configuration. 3. Helmet configuration according to claim 2, wherein said ear muffs are arranged to be in releasable contact with said inside helmet structure (3) and the chin strap (4). 4. Helmet configuration according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the inside helmet structure (3) comprises a head strap connected to the helmet shell (2), connected to the helmet shell and arranged to enclose the helmet user's cranium, the protrusive part (7) being arranged to extend under said head strap. 5. Helmet configuration according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the helmet shell extends down below the recessed portion that supports a lower edge of the inside helmet structure (3), at least part of the ear muffs lying between a part of the helmet shell that extends down below the recessed portion and the user's head during use of the helmet configuration. 6. Helmet configuration according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said protrusive part (7) of at least one of the ear muffs is provided with a cushion (12) facing the user's head. 7. Helmet configuration according to claim 6, each ear muff further comprising a seal ring (11) below the cushion (12), the recessed portion on an outer edge of the ear muff below and facing the user's head, configured to cover an area that runs around the user's ear. 8. Helmet configuration according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one auxiliary strap (13) is provided, interconnecting the ear muffs over a top of the user's head. 9. Helmet configuration according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each ear muff includes a further protrusive part (8) arranged to extend under said chin strap (4) during use of the helmet. 10. Ear muff (5) arranged to be brought into releasable contact with the inside helmet structure (3) and the chin strap (4) of a helmet configuration according to any of the preceding claims, the ear muff comprising a recessed portion (10), configured to receive the inside helmet structure (3) of the helmet (2) and a protrusive part (7) extending from the recessed portion to extend between said inside helmet structure (3) and a user's head. 11. Ear muff according to claim 10, wherein said protrusive parts (7) is provided with a cushion (12) facing the user's head. 12. Ear muff according to claim 10 or 11, comprising a protrusive part (8) arranged to extend under said chin strap (4) during use of the helmet. 13. Method of supporting a helmet shell and an inside helmet structure (3), attached to the helmet shell, the method comprising - applying ear muffs (5) covering the helmet user's ears (6), - enclosing the helmet user's cranium with the inside helmet structure (3); - supporting the inside helmet structure (3) on a recessed portion (10) of the ear muff, with a protrusive part (7) extending from the recessed portion (10) under said inside helmet structure (3), between the inside helmet structure (3) and the user's head. |
The invention relates to a helmet configuration, e.g. for military use, the helmet configuration comprising a helmet shell which covers the user's ears partly or completely, having an inside helmet structure arranged to enclose the helmet user's cranium.
Background Helmets with a helmet shell, an inside helmet structure and a chin strap arranged to extend from both sides of the helmet towards the helmet user's chin are general knowledge.
WO 2004/089137 describes a sports helmet which additionally contains detachable ear muffs. The ear muffs can be attached to straps that run from the helmet shell to the chin strap. Each ear muff has a convex rounded shape that fits over the ear (herein references to the vertical direction, such as "over", "upper", "top", "bottom", "below", "above", "height" etc. refer to the orientation of the helmet configuration when worn on an upright head). The helmet shell has a concave recess that corresponds to the upper part of the rounded shape of the ear muff, the upper part of the ear muff being fitted into the concave recess. On the top of the ear muff a locating tab is provided that fits into a slot between the helmet shell and the inner lining of the shell. The inner lining is made of foam that provides for comfortable contact with the head and functions to support the shell on the head. JP 2004/068201 shows a similar sports helmet, wherein ear muffs are attached to pairs of chin straps that extend from the lower edge of the helmet shell to the chin. JP 2004/068201 has no convex recesses for the upper part of the ear muffs. An embodiment is shown wherein an upper part of the earmuff extends upward between the shell and the user's head.
The ear muffs of WO 2004/089137 are worn outside the helmet, below its lower edge, so that the ear muffs provide the entire protection for the ears. The helmet shell does not provide for protection of the ears: the concave recess in the shell ensures that the shell does not cover part of the ear.
In helmet configuration designs wherein the helmet shell reaches down over the ears, such as many helmet for military use, ear muffs must be provided between the head and the shell. A disadvantage of the interior structures of such helmets is that there is no or only limited space for receiving ear muffs. A particular problem is that the ear muffs need to be held upon the ears, covering them, under a certain pressure towards the ears for sealing the ear muffs, providing good hearing protection.
Known configurations with earmuffs between the helmet shell and the head use a separate headset, comprising a bracket and ear muffs at both sides of it. The biggest disadvantage of wearing known helmet configurations in conjunction with ear muffs is that the location on the head directly above the ears cannot serve both as a support point for the helmet interior as well as a sealing surface for the ear-muffs. With current ear muff designs those two functions can not be combined, without decreasing the helmet stability or causing sound leakage. An other disadvantageous is that the head strap and/or foam pads of the helmet (forming the inside helmet structure) has to be worn over the bracket of the headset, which is not optimal for the fit and stability of the helmet and it is less convenient for the helmet user due to pressure points on the skull. Besides, if a user wants to put on or put off the existing headsets, first the helmet has to be put off, leaving the head unprotected. Summary
It is an object to provide a helmet configuration including a more compatible set of ear muffs with enhanced stability of the helmet.
According to one aspect a helmet configuration is provided, comprising a helmet shell, an inside helmet structure, attached to the helmet shell and arranged to enclose the helmet user's cranium, ear muffs arranged for covering the helmet user's ears, a top side of each ear muff having a recessed portion, configured to receive the inside helmet structure of the helmet, the ear muff having a protrusive part arranged to extend from the recessed portion under said inside helmet structure, between the inside helmet structure and the user's head during use of the helmet. In this way enhanced stability of the helmet is realized by providing that the helmet -via its inside helmet structure, comprising a head strap for example- rests on the whole cranium of its user without any disruption by a headset bracket. When the inside helmet structure comprises a head strap, the head strap rests on the whole cranium in the sense that the head strap runs around cranium the user's head (i.e. at substantially constant height, without any disruption of the size of the ear or bigger). In another embodiment the inside helmet structure may be formed by a foam pad that rests on the entire cranium from a certain height. The recessed portion, i.e. a portion where the outer surface of the ear muff recedes towards the user's head, allows the inside helmet structure to run around the head at a constant level above the recessed portion, at a relatively low height on the user's head, which improves stable wearing of the inside helmet structure. The protrusive part above the recessed portion allows the ear muff to be held between the inside helmet structure and the head. No bracket is needed within the helmet shell to define the position of the ear muffs. In an embodiment the helmet configuration comprises a chin strap, arranged to extend from both sides of the helmet towards the helmet user's chin, said ear muffs being in contact with said inside helmet structure and the chin strap during use of the helmet. Thus the inside helmet structure and the chin strap keep the ear muffs in place during use.
In an embodiment releasable contacts are used between the ear muffs being on one hand and said inside helmet structure and the chin strap on the other hand. Thus, the ear muff can applied and removed easily, without the need for putting off the helmet.
The helmet shell may be of a type that extends downward over at least part of the ear to provide protection against projectiles and the like. Because the ear muffs are positioned by means of the inside helmet structure, such as the head strap that runs around the cranium and supports the helmet shell, a minimum of additional space is needed within in the helmet shell. Because the ear muffs are positioned by holding the protrusive part between the inside helmet structure and the head, the helmet shell can run at a distance from the head strap and the ear muffs. Moreover the use of protrusive parts between the inside helmet structure and the head makes it possible to take of the helmet shell and the inner helmet structure without removing the ear muffs as well, for example to put on a gas mask. Preferably, the recessed portion, arranged for receiving the inside helmet structure of the helmet, is provided at a height that allows a (soft) seal provided on the ear muffs outer edge facing the user, will cover the area around the user's ear below the recessed portion. This way a good seal and a support point can be achieved. Brief description of the drawing
These and other advantages and other advantageous aspects will become apparent from a description of exemplary embodiments using the following figures, wherein
Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the helmet configuration;
Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the ear muff.
Detailed description of exemplary embodiments
Figure 1 shows the head 1 of a user, wearing a helmet configuration including a helmet shell 2, a head strap 3 connected by connections (not shown) to the shell 2, head strap 3 forming part of an inside helmet structure which is arranged to enclose the helmet user's cranium, and a chin strap 4 which is connected to the head strap 3 at three or four connection points for example, which chin strap 4 further rounds the user's chin. As is known per se, connections (not shown) between the shell 2 and the head strap 3 may be used to keep the shell 2 at a distance from the head 1 when the helmet
configuration is worn on the head. The chin strap 4 may include connecting and or length adjustment means, e.g. buckles, Velcro closures or similar elements (not shown).
Ear muffs 5 are provided, arranged for covering the helmet user's ears 6. Ear muffs 5 may be provided for protection the user's ears against high sound levels. They may -instead or additionally- include earphones for
communication purposes. The ear muffs 5 are preferably arranged to be releasably connected to the head strap 3 and to the chin strap 4 by means of upper protrusive parts 7 arranged to extend between the head strap 3 and the head of the user 1, and bottom protrusive parts 8 arranged to extend under part of the chin strap 4 during use of the helmet. Bottom parts 8 include a transverse area 9 for holding the chin strap 4.
In this way the helmet configuration includes a compatible set of ear muffs, wherein the proper helmet, via its head strap 3, rests on the whole cranium of its user without being affected by a headset bracket or something like that. The ear muffs 5 can applied and removed easily, without the need for putting off the helmet, viz. by removing the chin straps 4 from the ear muff parts 8 and sliding then the ear muffs 5 downward.
The top of the ear muff housing 5 includes a recessed portion 10, i.e. a portion where the outer surface of the ear muff recedes towards the user's head. In other words, the housing of ear muff 5 has a stepped form, with a step in the distance from the outer surface of the ear muff to the head, above which step this distance becomes smaller. Recessed portion 10 is arranged for receiving the head strap 3 or foam pads (not shown) of the helmet 2. Recessed portion 10 provides that a soft seal 11, below recessed portion 10 where the distance is larger, on the ear muffs outer edge facing the user 1, will provide good coverage of the area around the user's ear. This way a good seal and a support point can be achieved together. An additional cushion 12 is provided between the upper part of the protrusion and the user's head, to ease contact with the head and help keeping ear muff 5 in place.
As the ear muffs are held in position by the helmet inside structure 3 and the chin straps 4, the ear muffs could fall down when the helmet is put off (e.g. for putting on a gas mask). For that reason an auxiliary strap 13 is provided interconnecting both ear muff top portions.
The ear muff shown in figure 1 is also shown in figure 2 using the same references as in figure 1. More explicitly shown is the soft seal 11, provided on the ear muffs outer edge facing, in operation, the user 1, which seal 11 is intended to cover the area around the user's ear.
According to one aspect a helmet configuration is provided, comprising a helmet shell (2), an inside helmet structure (3), attached to the helmet shell and arranged to enclose the helmet user's cranium, and a chin strap (4), arranged to extend from both sides of the helmet towards the helmet user's chin, the helmet configuration, moreover, comprising ear muffs (5) arranged for mainly covering the helmet user's ears (6), wherein said ear muffs are arranged to be in releasable contact with said inside helmet structure (3) and the chin strap (4) during use of the helmet.
In further embodiments each ear muff includes protrusive parts (7, 8) arranged to extend under said inside helmet structure (3) and chin strap (4) respectively during use of the helmet. The top side of the ear muff (5) may include a recessed portion (10), arranged for receiving the inside helmet structure (3) of the helmet (2). At least one of said protrusive parts (7, 8) may be provided with a cushion (12) facing the user's head. At least one auxiliary strap (13) may be provided, interconnecting both ear muffs.
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