Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02820278 2013-06-28
HELMET WITH REAR ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM
TECHNICAL FIELD
The application relates generally to protective helmets and, more
particularly,
to adjustable protective helmets.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
Helmets for various activities, including sporting activities and work in
dangerous environments, often require a shell or protective surface. The range
of
shapes and sizes of a wearer's head may require a helmet to be made larger or
smaller
to fit. Furthermore, adjustment may be required depending on the activity,
environmental conditions, appearance, or some other factor. In particular, the
wearer of
a helmet may want to have a tighter or looser fit, depending on circumstances,
or may
alternatively want to modify the fit, for example during play, or depending on
the
season, etc.
Adjustable helmets typically include two sections that are moved to change
the length of the helmet. Usually, the two sections are slidingly engaged
along their
sides and an adjustment mechanism is provided on each side to selectively
block the
relative sliding motion. Other types of helmets require the use of tools to
adjust the
relative position of the helmet sections.
SUMMARY
In one aspect, there is provided a protective helmet comprising: a first shell
including a front portion configured to cover a front of a head of a wearer, a
top portion
extending from a top of the front portion and configured to cover a top of the
head, and
two side portions extending rearwardly from the front portion and downwardly
from the
top portion and configured to each cover a respective side of the head; a
second shell
configured to cover a rear of the head, the second shell having a top end
connected to
the top portion of the first shell and an opposed bottom end extending between
the two
side portions and movable with respect thereto about the connection between
the top
end and the top portion along two opposed directions; two connecting members,
each
connecting member connected to a respective one of the side portions at a
fixed
1
location and connected to the bottom end of the second shell through a
respective
connection allowing relative movement therebetween; and an adjustment
mechanism
connected to the second shell and having a movable portion thereof movable
between
a unlocked position free of the connecting members to allow relative movement
between the first and second shells and a locked position in engagement with
the
connecting members to prevent relative movement between the first and second
shells
along at least one of the opposed directions.
In another aspect, there is provided a protective helmet comprising: a first
shell configured to cover a major part of a head of a wearer, the first shell
including two
side portions spaced apart by an elongated opening defined through the first
shell and
configured to extend over a rear of the head; an elongated second shell
configured to
cover a rear of the head, the second shell having a top end connected to the
first shell
and an opposed bottom end, the second shell extending within and across the
elongated opening of the first shell, the bottom end of the second shell being
movable
relative to the second shell along two opposed directions; an adjustment
mechanism
connected to the second shell and having a movable portion pivotable with
respect to
an outer surface of the second shell between a locked position adjacent the
second
shell and an unlocked position away from the second shell; and two connecting
members connected to the bottom end of the second shell such as to allow
relative
movement therebetween, each connecting member having a first end connected to
a
respective one of the side portions of the first shell and an opposed second
end
engaged to the adjustment mechanism when the movable portion is in the locked
position such as prevent relative movement therebetween along at least one of
the two
opposed directions, the movable portion in the unlocked position being
disengaged
from the connecting members.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference is now made to the accompanying figures in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic front tridimensional view of a protective helmet in
accordance with a particular embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a schematic exploded rear tridimensional view of the helmet of Fig.
1, showing an adjustment mechanism thereof in a locked position;
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Fig. 3 is a schematic partial rear tridimensional of the helmet of Fig. 1,
showing an adjustment mechanism thereof in an unlocked position;
Fig. 4 is a schematic front tridimensional view of a shell of the helmet of
Fig.
1;
Fig. 5 is a schematic exploded rear tridimensional view of an adjustment
mechanism and connecting members of the helmet of Fig. 1; and
Fig. 6 is a schematic exploded front tridimensional view of the adjustment
mechanism and connecting members of Fig. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings, a protective helmet is generally shown at 10.
Although a particular helmet configuration is shown, it is understood that the
helmet can
alternately be any other type of protecting helmet. In a particular
embodiment, the
helmet 10 is a hockey helmet. Other possible types of helmet include, but are
not
limited to, a lacrosse helmet, a baseball helmet and a football helmet.
Referring to Fig. 1 and 3, the helmet includes a first or front shell 12 and a
second or rear shell 14 which are movably engaged to one another to allow a
size of
the helmet 10 to be adjusted. The first shell 12 includes a front portion 16
configured to
cover the front of the head, including for example part of the forehead.
Although not
shown, the front portion 16 may also extend downwardly to cover part of the
face, and
include for example eye protection, such as a clear window or mesh grid.
The first shell 12 also includes a top portion 18 extending from the top of
the
front portion 16 and configured to cover the top of the head. In the
embodiment shown,
the top portion 18 extends over only a front part of the top of the head. It
is understood
that in other configurations, the top portion 18 may be differently sized
and/or
configured. For example, the top portion 18 may be defined as part of the
front portion
16 without being distinct therefrom.
The first shell 12 further includes two side portions 20 extending rearwardly
from a respective side of the front portion 16 and downwardly from the top
portion 18,
configured to each cover a respective side of the head. In the embodiment
shown, each
side portion 20 is configured to extend downwardly in front and behind the ear
while
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leaving the ear uncovered. It is understood that in other configurations, the
side
portions 20 may be differently sized and/or configured; for example, the side
portions
20 may cover the ears.
In the embodiment shown, the first shell 12 is substantially "U-shaped" such
that an elongated opening 22 (see Fig. 2) is defined downwardly from the top
portion 18
between the two side portions 20.
The second shell 14 is configured to cover the rear of the head, and extends
within and across the elongated opening 22 such as to cooperate with the first
shell 12
to cover the head. In the embodiment shown, the second shell 14 extends
inwardly of
the first shell 12, with the first shell 12 partly overlapping it.
Alternately, the second shell
14 may extend outwardly of the first shell 12 and partially overlap it.
Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, the second shell 14 has a top end 24 including a
forwardly projecting finger 26 complementary to a slot 28 (Fig. 2) of the top
portion 18
to together define a retaining member. The second shell 14 is thus engaged to
the top
portion 18 of the first shell 12 through engagement of the finger 26 in the
slot 28. In the
embodiment shown, the engagement of the finger 26 in the slot 28 defines a
fixed
connection, and the material and thickness of the shells 12, 14 is selected
such to
provide sufficient flexibility to allow relative movement between the bottom
edges of the
first and second shells 12, 14 about their top connection, as will be further
detailed
below. Other types of connections may alternately be defined. For example,
when more
rigid materials are used, the connection between the top of the first and
second shells
12, 14 may be a movable connection, such as for example a pivotable
connection.
The first and second shells 12, 14 can be made of any type of adequate
material, including but not limited to fiber reinforced materials,
thermoplastics, and a
combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the first and second shells
12, 14 are
made of high density polyethylene (HOPE).
Referring back to Fig. 1, the helmet 10 further includes two connecting
members 30. Each connecting member 30 is connected to a respective one of the
side
portions 20 at a fixed location with respect thereto. In the particular
embodiment shown,
each side portion had a slot 32 defined therethrough. Each connecting member
30
includes an elongated engagement member 34 at one end which has a shape
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complementary to that of the slot 32, and which is snuggly received therein to
engage
the connecting member 30 to the side portion 18.
Each connecting member 30 is also connected to the bottom end 36 of the
second shell 14 through a respective connection allowing relative movement
therebetween. In the embodiment shown, each elongated engagement member 34 of
each connected member 30 has an elongated slot 38 defined therethrough (see
also
Fig. 2), which also extends through the side portion 20. The bottom end 36 of
the
second shell 14 includes two arms 40 each extending toward a respective one of
the
side portions 20. Each arm 40 is engaged with a respective fastener 42, for
example a
pin, screw or rivet, which is snugly and slidingly received in the slot 38 of
the respective
engagement member 34. Thus, a relative sliding motion is defined along the
length of
the slot 38 between the bottom end 36 of the second shell 14 and the
connecting
members 30. The fastener 42 is received in a fixed position in a round hole 48
defined
through the arm 40. The fastener 42 includes suitable features to prevent its
disengagement from the slot 38 and hole 48, such as for example opposed
enlarged
heads having a respective diameter greater than that of the hole 48 and that a
width of
the slot 38.
In an alternate embodiment, the fastener 42 may be received in a slot defined
through the arm 40 and engaged in a fixed position through the connecting
member 30.
Other types of movable engagements between the second shell 14 and each
connecting member 30 may alternately be used. For example, the arms 40 may be
omitted.
In the embodiment shown, the connection between each connecting member
and the bottom end 36 of the second shell 14 is defined together with, or at
the
25 same
location than, the connection between the connecting member 30 and the side
portion 20, since the slot 38 of the connecting member 30 is located in the
slot 32 of the
side portion 20. Alternately, the connection between each connecting member 30
and
the bottom end 36 of the second shell 14 may be defined at a different
location than the
connection between the connecting member 30 and the side portion 20.
30 Referring
back to Fig. 2, the helmet 10 further includes an adjustment
mechanism 44 which is connected to the second shell 14. The adjustment
mechanism
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44 includes a movable portion 46 movable between a locked position (Fig. 2)
and an
unlocked position (Fig. 3). With the movable portion 46 in the unlocked
position, the
adjustment mechanism 44 is free of the connecting members 30, thus allowing
the
relative movement between the shells 12, 14 about their top connection along
two
opposed directions (increasing and decreasing the internal size of the helmet
10),
within the range of movement allowed by the sliding connection between the
connecting members 30 and the bottom end 36 of the second shell 14. With the
movable portion 46 in the locked position, the adjustment mechanism 44 is
engaged to
the connecting members 30 to prevent relative movement between the shells 12,
14
along at least one direction ¨ for example, allowing the size to be decreased
but
preventing it from being increased. In the embodiment shown, when the movable
portion 46 is in the locked position, the adjustment mechanism 44 is engaged
to the
connecting members 30 to prevent relative movement between the shells 12, 14
along
the two directions, thus preventing variation of the size of the helmet 10.
In the particular embodiment shown, the movable portion 46 is pivotable
about an axis P extending horizontally when the helmet 10 is worn and the
wearer is in
a standing, upright position. The movable portion 46 is attached to the outer
surface of
the second shell 14. The connecting members 30 extend in the helmet 10 through
a
respective opening 54 (see Figs. 1-2) defined through the second shell 14, and
the
movable portion 46 engages the connecting members 30 through a corresponding
opening 52 (see Fig. 3) defined through the second shell 14.
Alternately, the movable portion 46 may be pivotable about a different axis,
or
movable through a different type of movement than a pivoting movement, for
example
slidable between the locked and unlocked positions.
Referring to Figs. 5-6, the engagement members 34 and adjustment
mechanism 44 according to a particular embodiment are shown in more detail.
The
adjustment mechanism 44 includes a fixed portion 50 (also visible in Figs. 1
and 4)
having an inner wall 56 from which a top wall 58 and a bottom wall 60 extend.
Side
members 62 interconnect the top and bottom walls 58, 60 spaced apart from the
inner
wall 56, such as to define two opposed open sides 64 through which the
engagement
members 34 extend (see Figs. 1 and 4). The inner surface of the inner wall 56
has a
series of teeth 66 defined therein. The top and bottom walls 58, 60 include
engagement
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fingers 68 protruding therefrom and configured to be received in corresponding
slots or
other engagement features of the second shell 14, such that the fixed member
50 can
be connected to the inner surface of the second shell 14 in a fixed position
with respect
thereto. Other types of attachment or connecting members may replace the
fingers 68;
for example, the fixed member 50 may be permanently connected to the second
shell
14.
In the particular embodiment shown, the movable portion 46 is pivotally
connected to the second shell 14 and the fixed member 50 is connected to the
second
shell 12 independently of the movable portion 46. In another embodiment, the
movable
portion 46 is pivotally connected to the fixed member 50, for example through
the
second shell 14.
The movable portion 46 includes an outer wall 70 and a perimeter wall 72
extending inwardly from the outer wall 70 around its perimeter. Two pins 74
extend
from opposed sides of the perimeter wall 72, and are configured to engage
corresponding slots or holes defined in the second shell 14. As can be seen
from Fig.
3, the movable portion 46 is received in the opening 52 of the second shell 14
and
engages the engagement member 34 through the opening 52 as will be defined
further
below.
The movable portion 46 includes a protuberance 76 (Fig. 6) extending
inwardly from the outer wall 70 within the perimeter defined by the perimeter
wall 72.
The protuberance 76 has a series of teeth 78 defined therein.
The movable portion 46 also includes a retaining mechanism in the form of a
retaining loop 80 extending inwardly from the outer wall 70 and spaced
downwardly
from the pins 74. The retaining loop 80 is detachably engageable in a
corresponding
opening of the second shell 14 when the movable portion 46 is in the locked
position
(see Fig. 1). The retaining loop 80 is compressible such as to be compressed
by a user
to disengage it from the second shell 14 to allow the movable portion 46 to be
pivoted
to the unlocked position. Alternately, the retaining loop 80 may be engaged to
the fixed
portion 50 and/or may have any other adequate configuration.
Still referring to Figs. 5-6, in the particular embodiment shown, each
connecting member 30 is in the form of a strap having the engagement member 34
and
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slot 38 at one end, with the opposed free ends of the connecting members 30
overlapping one another. One of the connecting member has a loop 82 defined at
its
free end to receive the other connecting member 30 therethrough, and one or
more
guiding members 84 extending on each side of the second connecting member 30,
to
retain the alignment of the overlapped connecting members 30. Each connecting
member 30 has teeth 86 defined therein on its surface opposite the other
connecting
member 30, so as to respectively contact and engage the teeth 66, 78 of the
fixed and
movable portions 50, 46. Accordingly, in the locked position, the movable
portion 46
presses both connecting members 30 against the fixed portion 50, and the
complementary meshed teeth 86, 66 of one of the connecting members 30 and of
the
fixed portion 50 and the complementary meshed teeth 86, 78 of the other
connecting
member 30 and of the fixed portion 50 prevent the connecting members 30 from
moving with respect to the second shell 14.
It is understood that the teeth 66, 78, 86 may be replaced by any other
appropriate type of engagement features, including but not limited to teeth
received in
complementary holes, or meshing triangular teeth defining a ratchet mechanism
allowing movement in one direction when the movable portion 46 is in the
locked
position. Alternately, if the compression force applied by the movable portion
46 against
the fixed portion 50 is sufficient, the connecting members 50 may be free of
engagement features and prevented from relative motion through frictional
engagement
caused by the compression force of the movable portion 46.
Although not shown, the contacting surfaces of the connecting members 30
may also include teeth or other engagement features so that the two connecting
members 34 may be engaged to one another when pressed together by the movable
portion 46 in the locked position, providing such engagement features may be
disengaged when the movable portion 46 is in the unlocked position.
Accordingly, in use and in a particular embodiment, the user disengages the
retaining loop 80 and pivots the movable member 46 in the unlocked position,
away
from the outer surface of the second shell 14. The user can thus move the
second shell
14 relative to the first shell 12 to a desired position about their top
connection, within
the range allowed by the connecting members 30 interconnecting the bottom end
36 of
the second shell 14 and the side portions 20 of the first shell 12. When the
shells 12, 14
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are in the desired relative position, the user pivots the movable portion 46
back to the
locked position, engaging the retaining loop 80 to retain the movable portion
46 in
place.
In a particular embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 44 allows for
adjustment of the size of the helmet 10 using a single hand and/or while the
helmet 10
is worn. The relatively low number of moving parts may reduce the risk of
malfunction
and/or render the adjustment mechanism 44 easy to use.
Although not shown, in a particular embodiment the first and second shells
12, 14 are each covered by a padding material which may be provided as one
piece or
in a plurality of complementary pieces and which may be in part movable with
respect
to the shells 12, 14. The fixed portion 50 and engagement members 30 extend
between
the second shell 14 and the padding layer covering it.
The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the
art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described
without
departing from the scope of the invention disclosed. Modifications which fall
within the
scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art,
in light of a
review of this disclosure, and such modifications are intended to fall within
the
appended claims.
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