FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to helmets and, more particularly, to an assembly comprising a helmet, a helmet cover and a helmet accessory. The invention also relates to a method for connecting a helmet accessory to a helmet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most of the helmets are worn for safety reasons. Typically, a safety helmet provides a user or a wearer protection from head injury or damage in case of an accident. There is a wide variety of safety helmets available in the market. Various examples of safety helmets may include, but are not limited to, bicycle helmets, motor bike helmets, and racing car helmets.

It is known to customize helmets and decorate those using accessories which can be connected to the helmet. An example is patent publication FR 2921800 which describes a helmet with a rigid shell pierced with openings to connect removable decorations. In FR 2921800 the outer shell of the helmet comprises a plurality of openings for receiving connection members of the decorations. In this way ail the openings can be used to attach a badge. However, if the decorations are not attached, the outer shell of the helmet will show openings which is not favourable for several reasons. First of all, people may find the openings at the outer surface of the helmet less appealing, and secondly, the openings make the helmet vulnerable to weather influences, such as rain.

OBJECT AND SU MARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to be able to customize a helmet wherein at least one of the problems mentioned above is solved.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to

an assembly comprising a helmet, a helmet cover, and at least one helmet accessory, wherein

the helmet accessory comprises at least one connection member for connecting the accessory to the helmet, the helmet comprising an outer shell comprising at least one opening at an outer surface for receiving the connection member of the helmet accessory, the cover comprising a stretchable material and being arranged to cover the at least one opening,

wherein the accessory can be attached to the helmet by inserting the connecting member into the opening thereby stretching the stretchable material.

By combining a helmet with openings at the outer shell and a stretchable cover, accessories can be attached by way of insertable connection members that push part of the cover through the openings of the outer shell. When an accessory is removed, the cover will return back to its original form and the outer surface of the helmet will look smooth again. The cover will avoid rain from entering the helmet, and it may also keep out the bugs that may possibly want to enter via the openings. The cover can be given all sorts of prints so as to be able to customize the appearance of the helmet even further.

In an embodiment, the connection member comprises a plug arranged to be plugged-in into the opening. This is a very simple a safe way of connection.

In a further embodiment, the plug is shaped like a mushroom. The mushroom shaped plug can be plugged in, and will expand once it has been inserted. This will avoid the plug from getting out easily when forces are applied.

In a further embodiment, the connection member comprises a compressible material, such as natural or synthetic rubber. If should be noted that instead of using compressible material, connection members may be used which comprises appropriate grooves that make the connection member as a whole deformabie.

The cover may comprise at least one out of nylon, LYCRA, polyester, cotton, rubber, latex and leather.

In a further embodiment, the helmet accessory comprises at least one of:

- a sun cap; - a decoration element, such as a crown;

- a connection member for connecting ski glasses;

- a face protection cap;

- a lightning element

- a communication device

- a music player

- a camera.

In a further embodiment, the cover is removably attachable to the helmet. It should be noted that the cover may as well be part of the helmet and thus be fixed to the helmet

In a further embodiment, the cover comprises at least one flexible strip element arranged at the edge of said cover.

In a further embodiment, the cover comprises two substantially flat strip elements. This will result in a cover which is easy to pull over the helmet.

The at least one strip element may be shaped so as to follow at least part of the rim of the outer shell.

In a further embodiment, the strip may comprise plastic or any other suitable flexible material.

In a further embodiment, the helmet comprises a groove arranged to receive said at least one strip.

In a second aspect, a helmet is provided for use in the assembly as described above.

In a third aspect, a helmet accessory is provided for use in the assembly as described above.

In a fourth aspect, a helmet cover is provided for use in the assembly as described above.

In a fifth aspect, a method is provided for connecting a helmet accessory to a helmet, the method comprising:

- providing a helmet accessory comprising at least one connection member for connecting the accessory to the helmet;

- providing a helmet comprising an outer shell comprising at least one opening at an outer surface for receiving the connection member of the helmet accessory, - covering the at least one opening using a cover comprising a stretchab!e material;

- attaching the accessory to the helmet by inserting the connecting member into the opening thereby stretching the stretchable material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and embodiments thereof will now be further elucidated by means of figures, wherein:

Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a helmet according to an embodiment,

Figure 2 schematically shows the helmet of Figure 1 covered by a helmet cover,

Figure 3 shows the helmet covered by the cover of Figure 2 wherein a helmet accessory is attached to the helmet,

Figure 4 shows a further embodiment, wherein a communication device is coupled to the helmet,

Figure 5 shows a cross section of a schematic representation of part of the outer shell and the cover,

Figure 6 shows the configuration of Figure 5 but now after the plug has been inserted through the opening into the cavity,

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the cover comprising a fabric and two strips attached to the edge of the fabric,

Figure 8 schematically shows part of a cross section of an embodiment of the helmet wherein a strip is inserted into a groove arranged between the outer shell and the internal padding,

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a helmet according to an embodiment. The helmet 1 comprises an outer shell 2 and an internal padding 3. The helmet 1 further comprises chin strap flaps 4, 5 at both sides of the helmet 1 . The outer shell 2 comprises a plurality of openings. In this case, the outer shell comprises openings 8, 9 at the front, openings 12, 13, 14 at the top and openings 18, 19, 20, 21 , 22 at the side. The outer shell 2 also comprises a plurality of openings 24, 25 grouped together at both sides of the outer shell. At the position of the ears, the internal padding 2 comprises two cavities, one of which is visible in Figure 1 , see cavity 27, At the top, the outer shell 2 comprises two grooves 28, 29 extending from the rim on the front side to the rim at the back side of the helmet 1 . In this embodiment, the outer shell also comprises a relatively large opening 1 1 , through which a press button of a integrated strap clasp (not shown) can be operated. The outer shell 2 is preferably made of a shock-proof material. In an embodiment it comprises a flexible thermoplastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The openings in the outer shell 2 can have different sizes. Typically the diameter of the openings varies between 4-20 mm, other values are possible.

Figure 2 schematically shows the helmet 1 of Figure 1 covered by a helmet cover 30. According to an embodiment, the cover 30 comprises a stretchable material. The cover 30 can be made out of one or more segments of textile or synthetic material. Possible materials include but are not limited by cotton, leather, LYCRA, polyester, nylon, latex, silicone. In the

embodiment of Figure 2, the cover 30 comprises a seam 31 . In an

embodiment, the cover 30 has an initial size smaller than the size of the outer surface of the shell 2. in that way, the cover 30 can be stretched by a user and wrapped around the rim of the outer shell 2. This will result in a fiat surface of the cover 30. in this way the helmet 1 is having an appearance determined by the color and print of the cover. If looks like a helmet without the holes. Preferably the cover 30 has an initial shape substantially resembling the shape of the outer surface of the outer shell 2. in this way, once the cover 30 is covering the outer shell 2, the stretching forces will be evenly distributed so as to avoid pleats in the cover 30.

Figure 3 shows the helmet 1 covered by the cover 30 of Figure 2 wherein a helmet accessory 35 is attached to the helmet 1 . In this

embodiment, the accessory 35 comprise a sun cap 35.

Figure 4 shows a further embodiment, wherein a communication device is coupled to the helmet 1 . The communication device, such as a Waikie- Talkie, comprises a speaker part 40 and a microphone part 41 . The speaker part 40 is connected to the helmet by inserting connection members fixed to the speaker part 41 into one or more of the openings 24 arranged in the outer shell 2, as will be explained in more detail with reference to Figure 5.

Figure 5 shows a cross section of a schematic representation of part of the outer shell 2 and the cover 30. The outer shell 30 comprises an opening or hole 9, just above a cavity 50 in the internal padding 3. in Figure 5 a connection member 52 is shown being a mushroom shaped plug 52. In this embodiment, the plug 52 is made out of rubber, which is slightly

compressible. The plug 52 may be an integral part of a helmet accessory 54, or it may be connected by means of molding, gluing or any other suitable way of fixing. The helmet accessory 54 could be the sun cap 35 of Figure 3 or the communication device of Figure 4 or any other helmet accessory. Figure 8 shows the configuration of Figure 5 but now after the plug 52 has been inserted through the opening 9 into the cavity 50. In an embodiment, the opening 9 is circular wherein the maximum radius of the plug 52 is larger than the radius of the opening 9. Since the plug 52 is compressible, it will be compressed when it is pushed through the opening 9. After passing the opening 9, the plug 52 will expand. This results in a sufficiently firm

connection between the connection member 52 with the helmet 1 and thus with the accessory 54 and the helmet 1 .

As can be seen from Figure 6, the plug 52 has forced part of the stretchabie cover 30 into the cavity 50.

In this way, a helmet accessory with one or more connection members can be coupled to the helmet 1 while the outer shell 2 is covered by the helmet cover 30. Since the cover 30 comprises a stretchabie material, it will get back in its unpressed form once the plug 52 is removed from the opening 9.

By using the connection mechanism described above all types of accessories can be added to the helmet 1 . Other examples of accessories are a decorative element such as a crown, a cockscomb, a roman soldier's ornament, artificial eyes, ears or horns, fruit steel. Alternatively, the accessory may comprise a connection for ski glasses, a visor, a light device or a camera. It should be noted that the openings in the outer shell 2 do not necessarily have to be circular. They can have all kinds of shapes including oval, triangular and square. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the use of compressible plugs. Also all kinds of click mechanisms may be used as will be appreciated by the skilled person.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the cover 30 comprising a fabric and two strips 75, 76 attached to the edge of the fabric. In the embodiment of Figure 7, the two strips are formed in such a way that they follow the contours of the rim of the outer shell 2 of the helmet 1 . In Figure 7 the strips are stitched into the fabric and of which strip 75 is actually not visible. The two strips 75, 76 meet at the front 77 and the back side 78. A user may first place the cover on the surface of the outer shell 2, and then stretch the cover so that the edge of the cover can be folded around the rim of the outer shell 2. in an embodiment, the helmet comprises a groove arranged in the rim in which the two strips can be inserted. By inserting the strips into a groove, the strips are securely positioned. Furthermore, the strips will be hidden in the grooves so that they will be invisible to the user.

Figure 8 schematically shows part of a cross section of the helmet wherein the strip 75 is inserted into a groove arranged between the outer shell 2 and the internal padding 3. The strip 75 can be made out of plastic or any other flexible material. The edge of the cover 30 can be attached to the strips by means of e.g. stitching, welding or gluing. Due to the specific form, i.e. curvature of the strips, a perfectly, seamless, fit without pleats in the cover can be achieved.

Instead of using two strips, several strips can be used. The usage of two strips showed advantageous when folding the cover around the rim. Preferably, two identical strips are used at the left and right side of the helmet 1 . This will make the cover 30 very easy to store/pack /transport/sell.

Furthermore, two identical strips are cheaper to fabricate than fabricating different shapes of strip elements.

Preferably, the accessories described above are made out of relatively soft material minimizing the risk of injuries in case of an accident or fall in which case the accessories could get loose from the helmet and injure the users face or other part. Soft materia! also minimizes transfer of forces on the accessories onto the head of the user in case of an impact. In the

embodiment with a compressable connection member, the connection member will be compressed in case of an impact and eventually forces on the connection member will be absorbed by the padding. The risk of head injuries caused by contact between the head and the connection member is therefore minimized.

In a preferred embodiment, the connection member is arranged in such a way that the accessory will detach from the helmet in case of a fall or impact.

Furthermore, by using relatively soft material, the cover will not be damaged when the connection member is inserted into the openings.

It should be emphasized that the assembly described above provides a helmet that can be customized in multiple ways. Besides, the tight stretched cover will give the helmet an attractive appearance. Since the cover is made out of stretchable material, it will recover from insertions performed when attaching an accessory. So even without the accessories, the helmet may have an attractive appearance, By using the appropriate covers, a user can customize her helmet, and follow the latest fashion trends.

it is emphasized that the present invention can be varied in many ways, of which the alternative embodiments as presented are just a few examples. A person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various features disclosed in the description may be modified and that various embodiments disclosed and/or claimed may be combined without departing from the scope of the invention. These different embodiments are, hence, non-limiting examples. The scope of the present invention, however, is only limited by the subsequently following claims.