CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/965,707, filed January 24, 2020 entitled “Alpine Helmet with Panel Ventilation System,” which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

FIELD

[0002] The disclosed subject matter relates to a protective helmet, and more particularly to a protective snow and ski helmet having a ventilation system that provides ventilation for the user and impact protection.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0003] To reduce the probability of physical impact to the head of a user, protective gear, such as a helmet, is often worn in activities that are associated with an increased level of risk for a head injury. Examples of such activities include, but are not limited to skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and ice skating. In general, a helmet is designed to maintain its structural integrity and stay secured to the head of a wearer during an impact. [0004] A number of impact standards exist to ensure wearer safety. Such standards include

Snell RS-98, ASTM F2040 and EN-1077. For example, EN-1077 was adopted in 2007 by the European Committee for Standardization for all non-motorized ski and snowboard helmets sold in many European countries. Class B of the EN-1077 standard does not require ear coverage, allowing better hearing and ventilation. In addition, a 3 kilogram striker is used to test the helmet shell’s penetration resistance. The striker is dropped from a height of 0.375 meters to ensure greater protection.

[0005] As helmet are required to meet the impact requirements, there is a need to provide adequate ventilation to the wearer during use. Such ventilation is provided by opening, or vents, in the structure of the helmet. The introduction of such vents can reduce the impact resistance of the helmet.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a helmet having an optimal ventilation while meeting impact resistance requirements.

SUMMARY

[0007] In one aspect, a helmet for protecting the head of a wearer is provided including an outer shell defining a first plurality of vents; an energy dissipating padding assembly located in an interior of the outer shell, the padding assembly defining a plurality of openings; the energy dissipating padding assembly and the outer shell defining a space therebetween; a first slider that can be actuated by the wearer to slide along a first direction that extends substantially parallel to the surface of the outer shell, the first slider defining first cooperating members; and a second slider including second cooperating surfaces and a plurality of panels configured to cover the first plurality of vents, such that movement of the first slider along the first direction generates movement of the second slider along a second direction substantially normal to the surface of the helmet shell, thereby selectively moving the panels to cover and uncover the first plurality of vents.

[0008] In some embodiments, a slider button is provided that is fixed to the first slider and accessible to the wearer to move the first slider in the first direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first cooperating members include one or more angled slots. In some embodiments, the second cooperating members comprise one or more transverse pins slidable in the angled slots. In some embodiments, the angled slots are configured such that when the first slider moves in the first direction, the transverse pins are moved in the second direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, an inner surface of the outer shell includes first guiding surfaces and the second slider includes second guiding surfaces. The first guiding surfaces are posts, and the second guiding surfaces are apertures slidable over the posts in some embodiments.

[0011] In some embodiments, the helmet further includes a panel defining a second plurality of vents. The first slider can include a plurality of fingers configured to selectively cover and uncover the second plurality of vents. The first slider can be configured to slide the plurality of fingers in the first direction when the first slider is moved in the first direction.

[0012] In some embodiments, the outer shell further includes a brow component defines a third plurality of vents.

[0013] In some embodiments, at least one of the panels of the second slider is pivotally mounted to the outer shell.

[0014] The outer shell can be fabricated from the group consisting of ABS plastic, polycarbonate or composite material. The energy dissipating padding assembly can be fabricated form expanded polystyrene or polypropylene. The first and second sliders can be fabricated from nylon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is perspective view of a helmet in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

[0016] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the component parts of the helmet of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the helmet of FIG. 1 with a portion of the outer shell removed. [0018] FIG 4 is an enlarged view of FIG. 2 illustrating components parts of the helmet of

FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 5 is coronal cross-sectional view of the helmet of FIG. 1, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1, with the normal slider in a first position

[0020] FIG. 6 is coronal cross-sectional view of the helmet of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1, with the normal slider in a second position.

[0021] FIG. 7 is perspective view, from below, illustrating components of the helmet with the normal slider in the first position of FIG. 4.

[0022] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of FIG. 7, illustrating components of the helmet with the normal slider in the first position of FIG. 4.

[0023] FIG. 9 is perspective view, from below, illustrating components of the helmet with the normal slider in the second position of FIG. 5.

[0024] FIG. 10 is a sagittal cross-sectional view of the helmet of FIG. 1 with the normal sliders in the first position of FIGS. 4, 7 and 8.

[0025] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the airflow of the helmet of FIG. 1 in partial cutaway view. [0026] FIG. 12 is a sagittal cross-sectional view of the helmet of FIG. 1 illustrating the airflow through the helmet.

[0027] FIG. 13 illustrates a prior art thermal dissipation test.

[0028] FIG. 14 illustrates the performance of the helmet of FIG, 1 in the thermal dissipation test.

[0029] FIG. 15 illustrates the performance of a prior art helmet in the thermal dissipation test.

[0030] FIG. 16 is a sagittal cross-sectional view of the helmet in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Various aspects of the apparatuses disclosed herein are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure.

[0032] The helmet includes a number of large ventilation openings that extend though the outer shell and the energy absorbing liner. The helmet also includes a first, actuating slider that can be actuated by the user to slide along a first, longitudinal, direction that extends substantially parallel to the surface of the helmet shell. The actuating slider engages a second, normal, slider such that movement of the first slider along the first direction generates movement of the second slider along a second direction substantially normal to the surface of the helmet shell.

[0033] This substantially normal movement of the second slider, generated by the substantially parallel movement of the first slider, is obtained by the cooperation of cooperating members of the first slider and the second slider, respectively, e.g. a ramp in the first slider and a pin of the second slider, the pin being engaged in the ramp and being guided by the ramp. The ramp is oriented in a way such that, when the first slider (and thus its ramp) moves in the first direction, the cooperating member (pin) of the second slider is moved in the second direction.

[0034] The shell has guiding members which are engaged into corresponding guiding elements of the second slider so that any movement of the second slider relative to the shell is guided by the guiding members and is substantially normal to the shell.

[0035] This cooperation between the first slider, the second slider, and also the shell allows opening and closing of vents in the helmet shell by the second slider. It also allows the creation of an “intermediate space” below the surface of the shell, when the second slider is in the (full or partial) open position. This intermediate space extends under the shell, and connects all vents of the helmet shell with all vents of the EPS protection layer (and also with all vents of the helmet brim - and any other all vents that may be provided in communication with this intermediate space) so that airflow is maximized (all vents communicate with all vents). The intermediate space functions as a distribution space, distributing air from all vents, to all vents.

[0036] The configuration of the helmet allows the first slider to serve both as an actuator slider for the second slider, allowing opening and closing of a first group of vents by the second slider, and as a slider for directly opening and closing other vents of a second group of vents. In the embodiments shown below, the first group of vents is in the front of the helmet, and the second group of vents is in the back.

[0037] Helmet 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1. Helmet includes an outer shell having a first shell component 12 and a second shell component 14. The brow component 18 is provided in the front of the helmet 10. The outer shell components 12, 14 and brow component 18 can be fabricated from rigid materials such as ABS plastic, polycarbonate, or composite material. The first shell component 12 includes a first set of vent openings 24 that are selectively opened by a normal slider 26 that includes a plurality of panels 40, 42, 44 that span each of the openings 24. As will be described in greater detail, the normal slider 26 is configured to move normal to shell 12 in order to provide venting of the helmet.

[0038] At the rear portion of the helmet 10 is a panel 22 providing a second set of vents, e.g., extractor channels 23. A slider button 20 is provided on the shell 12, and is moveable in a longitudinal direction, as indicated by arrow L, in order to actuate the normal slider 26 in a normal direction, thereby allowing the ventilation openings 24 to be opened and closed. In some embodiments, the slider button 20 also opens and closes the rear extractor channels 23, simultaneously with the ventilation opening 24.

[0039] As illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, the helmet includes an energy dissipating padding assembly, such as a liner 16 typically fabricated from expanded polystyrene (EPS) expanded polypropylene (EPP) or similar energy absorbing material which is positioned within outer shell components 12, 14 and brow component 18. The normal slider 26 is disposed between the outer shell 12 and liner 16, and is configured to move in a normal direction, i.e., towards the wearer’s head and away from the wearer’s head. The actuating slider 28 is also disposed between the outer shell 12 and liner 16, and is configured to slide longitudinally, i.e., towards the front of the helmet 10 and towards the back of the helmet 10. The slider button 20 include a post 29 that extends through a longitudinal slot in shell 12 and is fixed to the actuating slider 28.

[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates the normal slider 26 and actuating slider 28 in greater detail. The normal slider 26 and actuating slider 28 are each symmetrical about the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the normal slider 26 include five panels, although fewer or more panels are contemplated. Normal slider 26 includes a center panel 40, secondary panels 42 and tertiary panels 44. Panels 40, 42 and 44 each have a curved surface that is substantially conforms to the inner surface of the shell 12 to selectively close the ventilation openings 24. The secondary panels 42 are each connected to the center panel 40 by a forward connecting bar 48 and rear connecting bar 46. The tertiary panels 44 are each connected to the adjoining secondary panels 42 by a forward connecting bar 52 and rear connecting bar 50. The normal slider 26 is fabricated from nylon or a similar material.

[0041 ] A plurality of guiding structures, e.g., apertures 82, are provided on the center panel

40, which allow the panel to move in a normal direction with respect to the shell 12, as will be described in greater detail below.

[0042] A plurality of cooperating surfaces, e.g., transverse pins 54 and 56, are provided on normal slider 26. Transverse pins 54 extend from each side of the center panel 40, and transverse pins 56 extend inwardly from the tertiary panels 44. The transverse pins 54, 56 cooperate with cooperating surfaces on the actuating slider 28 to move panels 40, 42 and 44 normally with respect to the shell 12, as will be described below. The front and rear portions of the tertiary panels 44 are each provided with a recess 58 which abuts a component on the shell 12 to prevent the normal slider from moving longitudinally.

[0043] With continued reference to FIG. 4, the actuating slider 28 includes a pair of primary fingers 60 joined by a transverse component 66. A center member 68 extends rearwardly from the transverse component 66. When viewed from above, the primary fingers 60, the transverse component 66 and the center member 68 generally form a “Y” configuration. The slider button post 29 (not shown in FIG. 4) is affixed the center member 68 at location 69. A pair of secondary fingers 62 are connected to the primary fingers 60 by connecting bars 64. [0044] Each of the fingers 60 and 62 are provided with a ramp portion 70 at a forward end thereof. The ramp portions 70 each include a cooperating surface, e.g., an angled slot 72. The cooperating surfaces of the normal slider 26, e.g., transverse pins 54, 56, are configured to slide within the cooperating surfaces of the actuating slider 28, i.e., slots 72, such that longitudinal movement of the actuating slider 28 (and thus the ramp portion 70) cause the transverse pins 54, 56 (and thus the panels 40, 42 and 44) to move in a normal direction.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the helmet 10 in coronal cross section. The panels 40, 42 and 44 are in a position disposed in an open position, i.e., displaced in a normal direction (indicated by arrows N) away from the shell 12, to allow ventilation of the wearer’ s head. The air is allowed to pass through the openings 24 in the liner shell 12, around the panels 40, 42, 44 and through openings 17 in the liner 16. (It is understood that the air is also allowed to pass through the openings 27 in the liner 16 around the panels 40, 42, 44 and escape through opening 24 in the shell 12.)

[0046] FIG. 6 is a similar cross-section as FIG. 5. However, panels 40, 42 and 44 are in position blocking the shell vent openings 24 and openings 27 provided in the liner 16.

[0047] FIGS. 7-8 illustrate the normal slider 26 and actuating slider 28 disposed within the interior of shell 12 as seen from below, with the liner 16 removed for explanatory purposes. As illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 8, the normal slider 26 is inhibited from longitudinal movement. Each of the tertiary panels 44 includes a recess 58 at a front portion and a rear portion thereof that engage an abutment 78 formed in the inner surface of the shell 12. It is understood that there could be more of fewer cooperating recesses and abutments surfaces to inhibit longitudinal movement of the normal slider 26.

[0048] Guiding surfaces, e.g., four apertures 82, are provided in the center panel 40, and are slidable on guiding surfaces, e.g., four posts 80, formed in the inner surface of the shell 12. This configuration permits the center panel 40, along with the connected panels 42 and 44 to move in a normal direction to block the ventilation openings or to be spaced apart from the ventilation openings 24 (not shown) to vent the air about the wearer’s head.

[0049] The actuating slider 28 is actuated longitudinally by the wearer. As shown in FIG.

7, the center member 68 is restrained to slidable longitudinal movement by a pair of brackets 90 that extend from the inner surface of the shell 12. Further, the center member 68 is provided with a groove 86 that is slidable over a post 88 extending from the inner surface of shell 12. When the actuating slider 28 is in its forwardmost position, the groove 86 is engaged with post 88 at the rearwardmost position of the groove 86. The groove 86 may be provided with an enlarged opening or detent in order to restrain the actuating slide 28 in position. An amount of additional force is necessary to dislodge the detent from the post 88.

[0050] As the fingers 60 and 62 are urged forwardly by the slider button 20, the transverse pins ride 54, 56 ride within the angled slots 72 in the ramp portions 70, thereby urging the panels in an inward normal direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the panel 40 is located near the top of each of the posts 80 and spaced apart from the ventilation openings 24 in the shell 12. FIG. 10 is a cross- sectional view showing the panel 40 displaced normally in an inward position to allow venting of the air about the wearers head.

[0051] With continued reference to FIG. 7, the rear portion of the actuating slider 28 includes a plurality of transverse fingers 74 that are intended to selective cover and open the rear extractor channels 23 as the slider button 20 is moved in the longitudinal direction,

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the actuating slider 28 is moved towards its rearwardmost position, such that the groove 86 of the center member 68 is engaged with post 88 at the forwardmost position of the groove 86. The groove 86 may also be provided with an enlarged opening or detent in order to restrain the actuating slider 28 in position. An amount of additional force is necessary to dislodge the detent from the post 88.

[0053] As the fingers 60 and 62 are urged rearwardly by the slider button 20, the transverse pins ride 54, 56 ride within the angled slots 72 in the ramp portions 70, thereby urging the panels in an outward normal direction. As shown in FIG. 9, the panel 40 is located near the bottom of each of the posts 80 and closing the ventilation openings 24 in the shell 12.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the transverse fingers 74 are moved with the center member 68 of the actuating sliders to open and close the rear extractor channels 23. When the slider button 20 is moved in the forwardmost position, as shown in FIG. 7, the transverse fingers

74 are clear of the rear extractor channels 23. When the slider button 20 is moved in the rearwardmost position, as shown in FIG. 9, the transverse fingers 74 cover rear extractor channels 23.

[0055] The benefits of the arrangement of the helmet are illustrated in FIGS. 11-15 FIGS.

11-12 illustrate the airflow through the helmet 10. Other features provided in the helmet include goggle venting openings 19 at the front of the helmet to provide internal channeling, expanded space between the outer shell 12, 14 and energy dissipating padding assembly 16 directs the airflow, e.g., “air-extractor” technology, and large open space between the rear exhaust vents allows for maximum airflow to exit the helmet. As shown in FIG. 11, outside air (represented by arrows G) enters the helmet at the brow section 18 via vents 19 (shown in FIG. 12). Outside air (represented by arrows F) enter via ventilation openings 24 as discussed above, when panels 40, 42 and 44 are disposed away from the shell 12. Air can pass through the helmet and exit via the second set of opening, air extractor vents 23 (as represented by arrows E).

[0056] FIG. 13 illustrates a thermal dissipation test for measuring the effects of the novel helmet ventilation system provided herein. In particular, the test subject the helmet to airflow of

0 degrees C at 40 km/h. The results of the test are illustrated in FIGS. 14-15. The novel helmet

10 results in a larger surface area of the wearer’s head that is cool, and very small “hot area,” as illustrated in FIG. 14. Air penetrates the helmet thanks to the configuration of vents and slider configuration. The novel helmet design is more effective (as shown by the flow of region HI) than the conventional design illustrated in FIG. 15, in which air is permitted to stagnate due to lack of internal channeling (as shown by the flow of region H2). For example, the region B1 in FIG. 14 and the region B2 in FIG. 15 illustrate regions in which the air travelling over the head of the wearer moves slower than the surrounding regions (“stagnating air.”) Regions of slower moving or stagnating air are typically inclined to become warmer due to the lack of ventilation. In FIG.

14, the region B1 is smaller than the region B2 of conventional prior art helmets shown in FIG.

15, due to the improved slow characteristics of helmet 10 discussed above.

[0057] A further embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is shown in FIG. 16. Helmet

100 is substantially identical to helmet 10 (references used in the previous figures preceded by “1” in FIG. 16 designate similar elements) with the differences noted herein. For example, the center panel 140 is secured to the shell 112 at pivot point 192. When the actuating slider 128 is advanced longitudinally, the cooperating surfaces of the actuating slider 128 cooperate with the cooperating surfaces of the normal slider 126 in order to move the panels 140, 142 and 144. In the case of helmet 110, the panels rotate in direction R about the pivot point 192. Portions of the panels 140, 142 and 144 also will move in a normal N direction.

[0058] While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments and/or implementations can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.