WO2002049470A1

WO2002049470A1 - Ventilated protective helmet

Info

Publication number: WO2002049470A1
Application number: PCT/SE2001/002838
Authority: WO
Inventors: Klas Johansson
Original assignee: Bil Ab Atlas
Priority date: 2000-12-21
Filing date: 2001-12-20
Publication date: 2002-06-27
Also published as: SE0004789D0; AU2002216566A1

Abstract

A safety helmet with ventilation has a number of channels (6) disposed in or on the helmet. The channels (6) are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the safety helmet and are open in the forward (2) and the rear (3) portions of the helmet. The channels (6) are connected to the interior of the safety via transverse ducts or apertures (9).

Description

Ventilated protective helmet

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a safety helmet with ventilation.

BACKGROUND ART

A large number of various types of safety helmets are previously known, for example for sporting events and motor sports.

A simple type of cycle helmet is produced from a skull cap shaped shell, consisting of foamed polystyrene plastic, which has superior shock-absorbing properties. Such a helmet is of relatively great thickness, often of the order of magnitude of 10-20 mm, possesses superior thermal insulation and, consequently, requires ventilation so as not to become uncomfortable. The ventilation in such a helmet is realised quite simply in that the helmet shell is provided with a number of through-going apertures.

If a safety helmet of this type is to give a sensible ventilation effect, the through- going apertures through the shell of the helmet must be so many in number and so large that the helmet shell becomes weakened so that thereby its protective effect risks being jeopardised.

In another type of cycle helmet, use is made of an outer, relatively hard outer shall which is connected to an inner shell of relatively soft and shock-absorbing material. Also in this construction, the ventilation apertures extend straight through both shells. Also in this case, the ventilation and mechanical strength place contrary demands on the safety helmet.

In, for example, an ice hockey helmet, use is made of a shell produced from a semi- hard plastic which is also provided with a large number of through-going apertures for ventilation, but also for adjustment of the size of the helmet. On the inside of this shell, there is a number of shock-absorbing pads or cushions substantially in the front and rear regions of the helmet in order in particular to protect the wearer's forehead and neck.

In a motorcycle helmet of the integral type, use is made of an outer, penetration- preventing hard outer shell often of glass-, carbon fibres or kevlar laminate or laminate of combinations of such fibres, the outer shell having, on its inside a shock- absorbing inner shell. A helmet of this type is provided with a visor in front of the wearer's face and the ventilation which normally occurs is, as a rule, intended to keep the inside of the visor demisted when driving in cold weather. Adjustable air vents are provided in the chin region of the helmet and the forehead region of the helmet and are arranged to impart a diffuse air flow on the inside of the visor.

There is no ventilation available which is sufficient to keep a helmet of the above- outlined type more or less comfortable when driving in warm weather.

PROBLEM STRUCTURE

The object of the present invention is to design the helmet intimated by way of introduction such that the drawbacks inherent in prior art technology are obviated. In particular, the present invention has for its object to realise a helmet where it has been possible to combine extremely good mechanical strength with good ventilation. The present invention further has for its object to realise a helmet which is simple and economical in manufacture.

SOLUTION

The objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attained if the safety helmet intimated by way of introduction is characterised by a number of channels disposed in the safety helmet and oriented in its longitudinal direction, the channels being open in the forward and rear portions of the safety helmet, the channels being interconnected with the interior of the safety helmet via transverse ducts or apertures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with reference to the accompanying Drawings. In the accompanying Drawings:

Fig. 1 shows an inner helmet shell included in the subject matter of the present invention seen from above;

Fig. 2 shows the helmet shell of Fig. 1 seen from the inside; and

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section through a complete helmet designed according to the present invention, the section being taken along the section marking A-A in Fig. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figs. 1 and 2 show an inner helmet shell included in the subject matter of the present invention, the helmet shell being produced from a relatively soft, shock-absorbing material, for example an expanded plastic material of suitable quality. The inner shell 1 and naturally also the safety helmet in its entirety have an forward portion 2 and a rear portion 3, where the designation "forward" and "rear" relate to the conditions which apply when the helmet is worn by a person who is, for example, cycling or skiing.

It will be apparent from Fig. 3 that the inner shell 1 is disposed interiorly in and connected to an outer shell 4 which is produced from a penetration-preventing, relatively hard material such as a hard plastic, a glass-, carbon-fibre or kevlar laminate or the like. Preferably, the inner shell 1 and the outer shell 4 are united to one another throughout the greater part of their mutual contact surface area.

It is further apparent from Fig. 3 that the safety helmet has an insert 5 which is readily replaceable for adapting the size of the helmet. The insert 5 is produced from a shock-absorbing material, preferably washable, and is secured on the inside of the inner shell 1 for example by gluing or by means of Nelcrotape® fasteners. In its most generic form, the present invention implies that the safety helmet has a number of channels running in the longitudinal direction of the helmet and having open inlets in the front of the safety helmet and free outlets in the rear region of the safety helmet. The channels are in communication with the interior of the safety helmet via a number of transverse ducts or apertures. The channels may be externally disposed hose- or tubular formations but may also be integrated in the material of the safety helmet.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, the inner shell 1 has, as is most clearly apparent from Fig. 1, the channels 6 oriented in the longitudinal direction of the safety helmet accommodated in the outside of the material of the inner shell so that the inner shell, apart from the channels 6, will still have a smooth abutment surface against the inside of the outer shell 4. The channels 6 may, while not being shown in Fig. 1 , be in communication with each other at the forward portion 2 of the inner shell 1. Further, it might be mentioned that the front ends of the channels 6 are closed against the lower edge surface 7 of the inner shell (see Fig. 2). The rear ends of the channels 6 are, on the other hand, open down to the above-mentioned edge surface 7 so that, via these apertures 8, the channels are in free communication with the ambient surroundings at the rear/lower edge of the safety helmet.

It will be apparent from Fig. 3 that the channels 6, in an upward or outward direction seen from the centre of the helmet, are closed by the outer shell 4 of the helmet. IT should be particularly mentioned that the outer shell leaves the channel mouths 8 free at the rear portion 3 of the helmet.

At the forward portion 2 of the safety helmet, the outer shell 4 has, on the other hand, at least one but preferably two through-going apertures which place the forward ends of the channels 6 in flow communication with the surroundings of the helmet in the area of its forward, lower region, i.e. in the area of the forehead of the wearer of the helmet. The apertures through the outer shell 4 suitably have regulator devices so that the effective through flow area can be regulated, possibly shut off entirely.

The channels 6 are in flow communication with the space interiorly in the inner .shell 1 via a number of transversely directed ducts or apertures 9. The ventilation functions as follows:

when a person wearing the safety helmet moves rapidly forwards, for example while skiing, a minor excess pressure is formed at the forward portion 2 of the safety helmet and a corresponding partial vacuum at its rear portion 3. This implies an air current through the channels 6 in a direction from the front and rearwards. This air current through the channels gives rise to a venturi effect at each one of the transversely directed apertures 9, which implies that air from the interior of the helmet is sucked up into the channels 6 via the apertures 9 and out via their rear/lower openings 8. The faster the wearer of the helmet moves, the more effective will be the ventilation: it may be expected to increase approximately by the square of the air speed around the safety helmet.

As was mentioned above, the safety helmet has an insert 5 (see Fig. 3). This insert has at least one circumferential formation so that it covers the lower inner surfaces of the helmet around the wearer's head. On the other hand, the insert 5 has no upper portion but is in principle open in an upward direction towards the upper side and a part of the side surfaces interiorly in the inner shell 1. As a result, it will be ensured that at least the greater part of the transverse apertures 9 through the inner shell 1 are kept free. The upper edge of the insert 5 is shown by means of the line 10 in Fig. 3.

As a result of the arrangement of the channels in the outside of the inner shell 1, an extremely good mechanical strength will be obtained in the safety helmet since the outer shell 4 is intact and connected with the inner shell over the greater part of its surface.

While the above-described embodiment enjoys major advantages, it is possible to dispose the channels as grooves on the inside of the inner shell 1 and then close them against the interior of the safety helmet with the aid of adhesive tape or foil which is provided with the apertures 9. An alternative is also to design the insert 5 so that this partly surrounds the channels downwardly and partly has apertures corresponding to the transversely directed apertures 9. A further conceivable embodiment entails that the channels 6 are placed as hose- or tubular formations on the outside of the outer shell 4. In such instance, the transverse ducts 9 extend through both the inner shell 1 and the outer shell 4.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A safety helmet with ventilation, characterised by a number of channels disposed in or on the safety helmet, oriented in its longitudinal direction and being open in the forward (2) and rear (3) portions of the safety helmet, the channels being connected to the interior of the safety helmet via transverse ducts or apertures (9).

2. The safety helmet as claimed in Claim 1, the safety helmet having an inner, relatively soft shock-absorbing shell (1) and an outer, relatively hard penetration- preventing shell (4) which is connected to the inner, characterised in that the channels (6) oriented in the longitudinal direction are disposed in the inner shell (1) and outwardly defined by the outer shell (4).

3. The safety helmet as claimed in Claim 2, characterised in that the outer shell (4) has, in the forward portion (2) of the safety helmet, at least one opening via which the channels (6) are in communication with the ambient surroundings.

4. The safety helmet as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the channels (6) at the rear portion (3) of the safety helmet discharge (8) at the rear/lower edge of the inner shell (1).

5. The safety helmet as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the aperture or apertures at the forward portion (2) of the safety helmet are provided with regulator devices by means of which the through flow area of the aperture or apertures may be regulated.

6. The safety helmet as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, characterised by an insert (5) which, for adaptation of size, is replaceably disposed interiorly in the safety helmet and which is open upwardly for exposure of the transverse ducts (9) or apertures.