IT201900006909A1 - HELMET - Google Patents

Description

Description of the invention having as title:

"HELMET"

FIELD OF APPLICATION

Embodiments described here refer to a helmet equipped with a half-chin guard and an articulated support arm, configured to rotate the half-chin outwards.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

In sports car racing, the use of a protective helmet by a user, such as a driver and / or navigator, is known.

Typically, this helmet includes a cap, or shell, to protect the head, which has a lower opening, configured for the insertion of the head, and a front opening, designed to ensure a field of vision for the user.

There are so-called integral helmets, in which the front opening is limited to a front band in the area surrounding the eyes and below there is an element for the protection of the chin, also called chin guard, continuous on one side and on the other of the shell and integral with it, which closes the lower front part of the shell for greater user protection.

There are also known open helmets, or of the "jet" type, in which the chin guard is not normally provided, constituting the front and bottom opening a single continuous opening. These open, or "jet" helmets, have the advantage of granting greater comfort and freedom to the user, while providing less protection than full-face helmets.

In sports racing, in particular in the rally sector, the use of a particular helmet is known in which there is a half-chin guard formed by a monolithic arm in a single piece with the shell, which extends overhanging only partially on one side of the front opening, ending, in use, substantially in correspondence with the user's mouth.

An important aspect relating to helmets equipped with half-chin guards is linked to the lack of safety of these helmets during motor racing, in particular in the event of an accident.

For example, in the event of an accident, the half-chin guard can hook onto elements present in the passenger compartment, such as steering spokes, belts, arms, or even flying objects moved in the passenger compartment. In such circumstances, the coupling of the half-chin guard can cause torsional impulses, or even real twists, of the entire helmet, which affect the vertebrae, especially the cervical ones, of the user. Furthermore, the half-chin guard must be able to be removed, or at least removed, from the user's face quickly and easily in the phases immediately following the accident, moving the user's head and neck as little as possible, so as not to risk aggravating any injuries sustained.

Removing or moving the half-chin guard may in fact be necessary to facilitate breathing, or to perform rescue operations, such as applying a respirator or an oxygen mask.

A drawback of the known helmets is that in these circumstances the half-chute can represent a footprint for a quick and easy removal of the helmet, or even just for the access of rescuers to the user's face.

For example, the bulk due to the presence of the half-chin guard can represent a drawback in the event that it is necessary to quickly apply an oxygen mask.

Some known solutions provide for the use of mobile half-chin guards, for example hinged on the side portions of the helmet shell and rotatable upwards or downwards.

However, these solutions have the drawback that in the event that the accident involves impacts or collisions at the portions in which the half-chin rest is hinged to the shell, rotation could be prevented.

Other known solutions provide that part of the half-chin guard is a yielding portion, which for example is made of a softer material than the material with which the other portions of the helmet are made and / or which includes breakage profiles, for example grooves. default. However, in the event of an accident, the yielding portion of the half-chime could favor its detachment, effectively transforming the half-chute into a blunt instrument that could cause injury to the user.

In addition, in these solutions, rescuers must apply sufficient force to remove the half-chime to break the yielding portion, risking to cause or aggravate any injuries reported by the user.

These solutions also have the drawback of non-reusability of the helmet following accidental breakage or slight damage in use of the yielding portion.

There is therefore a need to improve a helmet which can overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the art.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a helmet which is safer than the helmets of the known art, in particular in the event of an accident.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to limit, possibly up to completely eliminating, the possibility that the half-flap, in the event of an accident, hooks itself to elements present in the passenger compartment, thus avoiding the generation of torsional impulses on the vertebrae of the 'user.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a helmet in which the half-chin guard can be removed, or at least moved, quickly and easily from the face of the user, in particular in the event of an accident.

A further object of the present invention is to achieve the aforementioned objects, and others besides, without compromising the safety of the helmet, and in particular the impact resistance characteristics.

In order to obviate the drawbacks of the known art and to obtain these and further objects and advantages, the Applicant has studied, tested and implemented the present invention.

EXPOSURE OF THE FOUND

The present invention is expressed and characterized in the independent claim. The dependent claims disclose other features of the present invention or variants of the main solution idea.

The present invention relates to a helmet comprising a cap provided with a pair of lateral extensions and a half-chin guard provided on one of the lateral extensions.

According to one aspect, the helmet comprises a support arm, configured to connect the half-chin guard to the respective lateral extension.

The support arm comprises a connection plate, connected to the respective lateral extension, and an end plate, on which the half-chin rest is fixed.

The connection plate and the end plate are hinged to each other to rotate the end plate around an axis of rotation, between a stable condition of normal use and a temporary extra-rotated condition in which the end plate is rotated laterally towards outside T, temporarily varying the angular position of the half-chin guard with respect to the respective lateral extension.

Advantageously, this feature makes it possible to limit, possibly even completely eliminating, the possibility that the half-bar in the event of an accident is hooked to elements in the passenger compartment, and also favors the possibility of access to the user's face by rescuers.

ILLUSTRATION OF DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

- the figs. 1, 2, and 4 are schematic representations of a helmet according to embodiments of the present invention;

- fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a helmet according to embodiments of the present invention, in which, for explanatory purposes, a coupling device has been made visible;

- fig. 5 illustrates the adjustment of the microphone in a helmet in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

- fig. 6 is an exploded schematic view of a coupling device according to embodiments of the present invention;

- fig. 7 is a schematic side view of a coupling device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

- fig. 8 is a schematic side view of a coupling device, in a coupled configuration, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

- fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a coupling device, in a coupled configuration, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

- fig. 10 is a schematic side view of a coupling device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

- figs. 11-17 are schematic views of a coupling device according to embodiments of the present invention.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numbers have been used wherever possible to identify identical common elements in the figures. It should be understood that elements and features of one embodiment can be conveniently incorporated into other embodiments without further specification.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments of the invention, of which one or more examples are illustrated in the attached figures. Each example is provided by way of illustration of the invention and is not intended as a limitation thereof. For example, the features illustrated or described as being part of an embodiment may be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce a further embodiment. It is understood that the present invention will include these modifications and variations.

Before describing the embodiments, it is further clarified that the present description is not limited in its application to the construction and arrangement details of the components as described in the following description using the attached figures. The present disclosure may provide other embodiments and be embodied or practiced in various other ways. Furthermore, it is clarified that the phraseology and terminology used here is for descriptive purposes and should not be considered as limiting.

The present invention refers to a protective helmet 10, schematically illustrated in figs. 1-5, in particular but not limited to a motoring helmet, which satisfies the aforementioned purposes.

Moreover, the protective helmet 10 described here can also be used in other fields, not necessarily referred to motor racing, such as motorcycling, or for the practice of other sports, for example winter sports, for example skiing or snowboarding, or even for the paragliding or other sporting, civil, professional activities that require the use of protective helmets of the type under discussion.

The helmet 10 of the present invention comprises a cap 11, suitable for wrapping at least a portion of the user's skull, and a padding 12.

The cap 11 is provided with a pair of lateral extensions 13a, 13b, in particular a left lateral extension 13a and a right lateral extension 13b, suitable for wrapping at least partially the lateral parts of the face of a user, and which laterally delimit a front opening of the helmet.

In embodiments, the lateral extensions 13 a, 13b can either be made as separate pieces, fixed to the cap 11, or made in a single piece with the cap 11.

The shell 11 and the lateral extensions 13a, 13b can be made of materials suitable for providing protection to the user's head in the event of an accident, for example in polymeric materials, resins, carbon fiber, or their combinations.

In embodiments, the helmet 10 can also comprise a padding 12, suitable for improving the wearing comfort for the user and for absorbing shocks and impacts associated with any accidents.

The helmet 10 further comprises a half-chin guard 14, provided on one of said lateral extensions 13 a, 13b.

In the present description, the expression "respective lateral extension 13 a, 13b" will indicate the lateral extension 13 a, 13b on which the half-chin guard 14 is mounted, thereby understanding the possibility that the half-guard 14 can indifferently be mounted on the extension lateral left 13a or right 13b.

In embodiments, the half-chin guard 14 is cantilevered and protrudes with respect to the shell 11.

In embodiments, the half-chin guard 14 can comprise various components, such as a covering layer, for example made of polymeric material or carbon fiber, one or more plastic bodies, which can be shaped to give the half-chin 14 shapes and appropriate dimensions.

In embodiments, the half-chin rest 14 may further comprise a microphone and / or bodies or assemblies configured to house and / or enslave the microphone, providing additional functionality, such as a filter for reducing background noise during transmission. , devices to improve the quality of the audio signal, power supply cables, digital processing devices.

In exemplary embodiments described by fig.

3, the helmet 10 comprises a coupling device 15, configured to connect the half-chin guard 14 to the respective lateral extension 13 a, 13b.

According to one aspect, the coupling device 15 is configured to releasably connect the half-chin rest 14 to the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b.

By way of non-limiting example, in fig. 1 illustrates the half-chime 14 unhooked, or released, from the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b, while fig. 3 shows the half-chin guard 14 connected, or hooked, to the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b.

In embodiments, the coupling device 15 comprises a support arm 16, on which the half-chin rest 14 is fixed.

In embodiments schematically described by fig. 2, the support arm 16 can be slidably movable with respect to the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b, to selectively adjust a distance D between the half-chin guard 14 and the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b.

In particular, in fig. 2, the half-chin guard 14 is connected to the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b at a distance D, which can be adjusted by approaching or moving away the support arm 16 with respect to the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b.

In exemplary embodiments described by fig.

6, the support arm 16 can provide a hooking portion 50, in which holes 20 are provided in which fixing means 51 are inserted to fix the half-chin guard 14.

The support arm 16 can also have a connecting portion 34, opposite the hooking portion 50 and arranged to connect the support arm 16 to the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b; for this purpose, in embodiments not shown in the figures, the connection portion 34 may have holes 20 arranged for the insertion of suitable fastening means 51 for fixing the half-ring 14 to the respective lateral extension 13 a, 13b.

In embodiments, the support arm 16 is made of a material of suitable resistance to support the half-chin guard 14, for example a metal material.

In embodiments, the support arm 16 can be made in a single piece, for example configured as a single elongated structure.

In alternative embodiments, described by way of example by means of Figs. 6, the support arm 16 can be made as an assembly, comprising various elements assembled together also possibly made with different materials.

The coupling device 15 of the present invention can also comprise a housing assembly 17, arranged on the lateral extension 13a, 13b to which the half-chin guard 14 is connected.

In exemplary embodiments described by fig.

3, the housing assembly 17 stably houses the support arm 16 in a selectively removable manner.

In exemplary embodiments described by fig.

2, the housing assembly 17 stably houses the support arm 16 in a selectively adjustable manner.

In such embodiments, the support arm 16 can be configured to define, in cooperation with the housing assembly 17, a plurality of stable positions of the half-chin guard 14, each having a different distance D from the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b .

By way of non-limiting example, in fig. 2 illustrates one of such a plurality of stable positions, in which the half-chin guard 14 is arranged at a distance D from the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b.

As illustrated by way of example in figs. 6, 7, 8, 10, the support arm 16 can be inserted, at least partially, in a chamber 21 present in the housing assembly 17.

It is therefore possible to define an insertion axis X associated with the direction of insertion of the support arm 16 into the chamber 21, and substantially corresponding to the longitudinal development of the support arm 16 and of the chamber 21.

In these embodiments, the connecting portion 34 can comprise at least one engagement seat 32, having a profile characterized by shapes, recesses, protrusions, teeth, concavities, convexities, or other shapes, suitable for allowing the engagement of the support 16 in housing assembly 17.

In exemplary embodiments described by fig.

10, in the connection portion 34 of the support arm 16 a plurality of engagement seats 32 are provided, arranged longitudinally and aligned to define the plurality of stable positions of the half-drawer 14.

With reference to the embodiments described by figs. 2 and 10, each of said engagement seats 32 corresponds to a determined stable position of the half-chin-rest 14, defined by a distance D of the half-chin-rest 14 with respect to the respective lateral extension 13 a, 13b.

In embodiments described by figs. 6, 7 and 8, the support arm 16 also has a stop portion 49, configured to abut against the housing assembly 17, defining a limit switch for inserting the support arm 16 into the housing assembly 17.

Said stop portion 49 can also be provided in the embodiments described by figs. 2 and 10. In these embodiments, the stop portion 49 can be configured to define the stop of the support arm 16 in the housing assembly 17 at the last engagement seat 32, i.e. the closest to the coupling 50, which corresponds to the stable position of minimum distance D of the half-chin guard 14 from the respective lateral extension 13 a, 13b.

In embodiments, the housing assembly 17 is applied to one of the lateral extensions 13a, 13b of the cap 11 by means of fixing means 5 1, for example screws inserted in special holes 20.

In embodiments, the housing assembly 17 comprises a housing plate 18 and a closing counterplate 19, configured in such a way as to define, when fixed against each other, the chamber 21.

In embodiments, inside the chamber 21 is housed in a selectively removable way at least the support arm 16 or a portion of it.

In embodiments, at least the support arm 16 is slidably housed inside the chamber 21.

In embodiments, the housing plate 18 can be fixed to the cap 11 by means of fixing means 51, for example screws, so that suitable through holes 20 may be present.

In embodiments, the closing counterplate 19 can be fixed to the housing plate 18 by means of fixing means 51, for example screws, so that suitable through holes 20 may be present.

In embodiments, the housing assembly 17 comprises a locking member 25, which can be actuated to selectively switch from a first operating position to a second operating position.

The locking member 25 in the first operating position, illustrated by way of example with a continuous line in figs. 7 and 8, is able to engage at least one of the engagement seats 32 made on the connection portion 34 of the support arm 16, constraining the support arm 16 in the chamber 21.

In the embodiments described by fig. 10, the locking member 25 in the first operating position is able to engage a selected of the engagement seats 32, binding said support arm 16 in the chamber 21.

In these embodiments, the engagement seat 32 in which the locking member 25 is engaged therefore determines the distance D to which the half-chin guard 14 is adjusted.

In these embodiments, the adjustment of the half-chin guard 14 with respect to the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b is therefore a discrete adjustment, in which it is possible to assign to the half-chin guard 14 one of a plurality of stable positions.

The locking member 25 in the second operating position, illustrated by way of example in broken lines in figs. 7, 8 and 10, is adapted to allow the disengagement of the support arm 16 from the chamber 21. In embodiments by way of example described by figs. 6, 7 and 8, the locking member 25 can be configured as a rotatable lever 25a, which has a first arm 25b, adapted to be operated manually by a user, and a second arm 25c, adapted to engage the engagement seat 32 of the support arm 16.

The rotatable lever 25a can also be pivoted to the housing plate 18, or also to the closing counterplate 19, by means of a suitable pin 28 located in a median portion thereof.

The second arm 25c of the lever 25a can have a profile conjugated to the profile of the at least one engagement seat 32 present on the connection portion 34 of the support arm 16.

The profiles of the second arm 25c and of the engagement seat 32 are also configured in such a way as to prevent the retrograde movement of the support arm 16 once engaged by the locking member 25, as illustrated by way of example in fig. 8.

In embodiments described by fig. 10, the second arm 25c is adapted to engage a selected of the engagement seats 32 of the support arm 16.

Furthermore, in the embodiments described by fig. 10, the engagement seats 32 each have a concave profile, and the second arm 25c has a protruding portion 25d with a convex profile conjugated to the concave profile of the engagement seats 32.

In exemplary embodiments described by figs. 6, 7, 8, 10, the housing assembly 17 also comprises an elastic element 30, for example a spring or a curved metal tab, cooperating with the locking member 25 to keep it normally in the first operating position.

In embodiments described by fig. 6, the elastic element 30 comprises a coupling section 30b, designed to be hooked to the chamber 21, and an operating section 30c, designed to operate in contrast against an abutment surface of the second arm 25c of the lever 25a.

In embodiments, a terminal end of the elastic element 30, opposite to the operating section 30b, can be configured as an appendix 30a. This appendix 30a can form an angle with respect to the coupling section 30b, in such a way as to improve the coupling of the elastic element 30 in the chamber 21.

Other embodiments may provide that the locking member 25 and the elastic element 30 are made in a single body, for example by providing a single flexible metal tab, of suitable shapes and sizes, for example T-shaped, constrained in appropriate way to the walls of the chamber 21.

In embodiments, the housing plate 18 and / or the closing counterplate 19 have shaped portions 22, which define a first seat 23 in the chamber 21, for housing the locking member 25 in the first operating position and in the second position operative, a second seat 24, to house a portion of the support arm 16, and a third seat 31, to house at least the hooking portion 30b of the elastic element 30.

Such shaped portions 22 can for example comprise protrusions, steps, grooves, edges, protrusions, protuberances, raised surfaces.

The walls of the chamber 21, not necessarily regular, are therefore formed by the internal surface of the housing plate 18, by the internal surface of the closing counterplate 19 and by the shaped portions 22, as schematically illustrated in fig. 6.

The second seat 24 of the chamber 21 therefore develops substantially along the insertion axis X, and has dimensions consistent with the dimensions of the support arm 16.

The second arm 25c of the rotatable lever 25a is also configured in such a way that a portion thereof is located in the second seat 24.

The angular excursion of the rotational movement of the rotatable lever 25a with respect to the axis of the pin 28 is therefore limited by the contact between the arms 25b, 25c of the rotatable lever 25a and the walls of the chamber 21, extending for a limited angular interval.

Furthermore, in embodiments schematically described by fig. 6, 7, 8, a travel stop pin 29 can be provided in the second seat 24 of the chamber 21.

In these embodiments, the connecting portion 34 of the support arm 16 has a seat with a concave profile 33, of mating shape for engaging the travel stop pin 29 when the support arm 16 is at the end of travel in the housing assembly. 17. In embodiments, a ring 48, configured to compensate or reduce the play between the support arm 16 and the housing assembly 17, is fitted on the end-of-stroke pin 29, as illustrated by way of example in Figs. 6 and 8.

In these embodiments, the ring 48 can be configured as an O-ring made of elastic material.

In embodiments, described by fig. 7, 8, 9 and 10, the support arm 16 has a stop portion 49, configured to abut against the housing assembly 17, defining an end stroke for inserting the support arm 16 into the housing assembly 17 .

The travel stop of the support arm 16 in the housing assembly 17 can therefore be defined by the travel stop pin 29, by the stop portion 49 or by both characteristics.

In embodiments, the chamber 21 has a first opening 26, from which a portion of the first arm 25b of the rotatable lever 25a protrudes, as schematically illustrated in fig. 9, so that it is accessible to be moved from the outside by a user.

In exemplary embodiments described by figs. 6 and 9, the terminal part of the first arm 25b can have a knurled section 25 d, which allows a better grip and movement by the user.

In embodiments, the chamber 21 also has a second opening 27, into which the connecting portion 34 of the support arm 16 is inserted.

The insertion of the support arm 16 into the housing assembly 17 therefore provides that the support arm 16 is inserted into the second opening 27 of the chamber 21 along the insertion axis X, until the connecting portion 34 abuts against the locking member 25, for example the second arm 25c of the rotatable lever 25a, arranged in the first operating position.

As schematically illustrated in fig. 7, a push of the support arm 16 along the insertion axis X will then flex the elastic element 30, moving the locking member 25 in the second operating position, and allowing the insertion of the support arm 16.

The travel limit for insertion of the support arm 16 will therefore be determined by the abutment of the seat with concave profile 33 against the stop pin 29 and / or by the abutment of the abutment portion 49 against the housing assembly 17, and by the contextual retraction of the locking member 25 in the first operative position, as schematically illustrated in fig. 8.

In the event that the locking member 25 is the rotatable lever 25a, the second arm 25c is engaged in the engagement seat 32, preventing the retrograde movement of the support arm 16, once inserted.

This feature therefore allows a firm and safe anchoring of the support arm 16 in the housing assembly 17, and therefore the connection of the half-chin guard 14 to the shell 11.

The disengagement of the support arm 16 from the housing assembly 17, and therefore of the half-chin guard 14 from the cap 11, can be carried out by manually disengaging the locking member 25 from the support arm 16, for example by moving the first arm 25b of the rotatable lever 25a in the direction indicated by the arrow in fig. 8.

Once the locking member 25 is positioned in the second operating position, the support arm 16 can be easily removed from the housing assembly 17.

The coupling device 15 thus configured therefore allows releasably connecting the half-chin guard 14 to the respective lateral extension 13 a, 13b, allowing its insertion and disconnection along the insertion axis X.

Advantageously, this feature allows, in the event of an accident, to quickly free the user's face from the half-chin rest 14, also facilitating the removal of the helmet 10, once deprived of the half-chin rest 14, from the user's head.

This feature also requires less room for maneuver for the removal of the half-chin guard 14, and therefore of the helmet 10, compared to solutions that provide for rotations of the half-chin guard 14, for example towards the outside or upwards.

This feature has the further advantage that the removal of the half-chin guard 14 does not require rotational and / or twisting movements of the head of the wearer of the helmet 10, which could cause or further aggravate any damage, injury, or vertebral trauma, for example at the user's neck, reported following an accident.

It is also obvious that the present invention provides embodiments described by the combination of figs. 6 and 10, in which it is possible to connect the half-chin guard 14 to the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b both releasably and in a slidingly mobile manner, allowing both the disengagement of the support arm 16 from the housing assembly 17, and the distance adjustment D.

In embodiments where the support arm 16 is made as an assembly, it can be configured as an articulated arm.

In these embodiments, the support arm 16 can rotate outwardly connect the half-chin rest 14.

In these embodiments, for example described by fig. 6, the support arm 16 comprises a connection plate 35, connected to the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b, and an end plate 36, on which the half-chin guard 14 is fixed.

The connection plate 35 and the end plate 36 are hinged together to rotate the end plate 36 about an axis of rotation R, illustrated by way of example in figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10.

In particular, in these embodiments there may be provided a hinge 42, or a hinge, or a joint, or a hinge, or an articulated connection system, which allows the rotation of the end plate 36 with respect to the connection plate 35.

In these embodiments, the connection portion 34 previously described can be made at the end of the connection plate 35 opposite the hinge 42, as schematically illustrated in fig. 6.

Furthermore, the previously described coupling portion 50 can be made at the end of the end plate 36 opposite the hinge 42.

In embodiments described by fig. 6, the hinge 42 can be defined by a joint portion 37, provided on the connecting plate 35, a complementary joint portion 38, provided on the end plate 36, and by a pivot element 45, for example a pin, whose axis defines the rotation axis R.

In embodiments schematically described by fig. 6, the complementary articulation portion 38 is of the female type and provides two spaced eyelets 41a, at the center of which an eyelet 41a associated with the mating articulation portion 37, of the male type, is juxtaposed, the cooperation between the eyelets 41a defining a seat of pivot 41 for pivot element 45.

In other embodiments, the joint portion 27 can be of the male type while the complementary joint portion 38 can be of the female type.

Variants are also possible in which the articulation portions 37, 38 provide an arbitrary number of eyelets 4 la, of variable dimensions, arbitrarily spaced and complementary to each other to define the seat of the seat 41.

Furthermore, the eyelets 4 la can be made as through holes through the respective joint portions 37, 38 or as open grooves, as illustrated in fig. 6.

It is therefore possible to rotate the end plate 36 between a stable condition of normal use and a temporary extra-rotated condition. In particular, it is possible to associate a first lying plane P to the articulation portion 37 of the connection plate 35, and a second lying plane Q to the complementary articulation portion 38 of the end plate 36, defining an angle of normal use a as angle between the two planes P, Q.

In the stable condition of normal use, the respective articulated portions 37, 38 of the connection plate 35 and the end plate 36 lie on their respective planes P, Q, defining the angle of normal use between them a.

In the stable condition of normal use schematically described by figs. 11 and 13, the articulation portions 37, 38 of the plates 35, 36 are aligned with each other, the two planes P, Q are substantially coincident and the angle of normal use a assumes values substantially close to 0 °.

In the stable condition of normal use schematically described by fig. 14 and 17, the plates 35, 36 are not aligned with each other and the normal use angle a can assume values substantially between 0 ° and 180 °.

In the temporary extra-rotated condition, the end plate 36 is rotated laterally towards the outside with respect to the angle of normal use a, and the planes P, Q define an angle of external rotation β, different from the angle of normal use a, schematically illustrated in figs. 12, 15 and 16.

In the example described by figs. 11 and 12, the end plate 36 defines an angle of normal use a substantially zero with respect to the connecting plate 35, and can be temporarily extra rotated by an extra-rotation angle β.

In the example described by figs. 13 and 14, the end plate 36 defines an angle of normal use a different from zero with respect to the connection plate 35, and can be temporarily extra rotated by an angle of extra-rotation β, greater than the angle of normal use a.

A rotation of the end plate 36 corresponds to a rotation of the half-chin guard 14 with respect to the lateral extension 13a, 13b on which it is mounted, as schematically illustrated in fig. 4.

In the extra-rotated condition, the angular position of the half-chin guard 14 is therefore temporarily varied with respect to the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b.

This feature allows, in the event of an accident, to prevent impulses and torsional movements of the helmet 10 due to an accidental coupling of the half-chin guard to elements present in the passenger compartment, such as steering spokes, seat belts, arms and / or also flying objects, thus improving the safety of the helmet 10.

This feature also allows you to quickly free the user's face in an emergency, for example in the event that, following an accident, rescuers need to apply a respirator.

This feature allows, for example, to be able to apply an oxygen mask on the user's face quickly and easily, without breaking the half-chin guard 14 and / or the helmet 10, thus avoiding the generation of splinters and / or free debris associated with rupture of the half-chin bar 14.

In embodiments schematically described by figs. 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, the support arm 16 further comprises an internal abutment portion 40, configured to block an inward rotation of the end plate 36 with respect to the connecting plate 35, or in the direction of the face of the user of the helmet 10, opposite to the extra-rotation towards the outside.

In particular, the internal abutment portion 40 blocks the rotations of the end plate 36 associated with negative values of operating angles α.

In exemplary embodiments described by fig.

6, the internal abutment portion 40 can be fixed on, or made in a single piece with, the connecting plate 35.

In alternative embodiments by way of example described by figs. 16 and 17, the internal abutment portion 40 can be fixed on, or made in a single piece with, the end plate 36.

With reference to fig. 4, this feature makes it possible to prevent the half-chin guard 14 from flexing towards the inside of the helmet 10, interfering with the user's face.

In embodiments, the support arm 16 can also comprise elastic means, configured to normally maintain the end plate 36 in the stable condition of normal use, restoring the stable condition of normal use when the end plate 36 is rotated outwards.

For example, this situation may occur in the operations performed by the user to put on the helmet 10.

In particular, the elastic means can be configured to restore the stable condition of normal use when the end plate 36 is rotated into the extra-rotated condition.

In embodiments described by fig. 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, the elastic means are configured as an elastic tab 39, arranged externally over the hinging regions of the joint portions 37, 38.

In embodiments, the elastic tab 39 is made of polymeric material, in particular polycarbonate, and has an elastic modulus in bending comprised in a range between 1400 and 1600N / mm2, preferably between 1450 and 1550N / mm <2>.

In embodiments, the elastic tab 39 can also have a flexural strength between 70 and 110N / mm 2, preferably between 80 and 100N / mm.

For example, in embodiments, the elastic tab 39 can have a flexural strength of 90N / mm, and an elastic modulus of 1500N / mm <2>.

In embodiments, the elastic means are rigid enough to ensure solidity and strength to the support arm 16 during normal use of the helmet 10, but flexible enough to allow the extra rotation of the half-chin guard 14 outwards in case of necessity.

The elastic means are also configured in such a way that the extrarotation of the half-chin guard 14 towards the outside requires to impart a biomechanically adequate force, according to the regulations in force, in such a way as not to cause damage to the user.

The presence of the elastic means therefore allows to keep the half-chime 14 in the stable condition of normal use even as a result of the stresses that may occur during various sports practices, both motor and non, such as for example car racing or rallying, autocross, snow mobiles, skiing, cross, MTB, etc.

Furthermore, when such embodiments are employed in combination with the previously described variants, wherein the support arm 16 is releasably or slidably movable connectable to the housing assembly 17, an end portion of the elastic tab 39 can perform the function of the stop portion 49, and therefore the elastic tab 49 can also perform the function of defining the insertion stroke end of the support arm 16.

In embodiments, the support arm 16 further comprises adjustment means 43, for adjusting the angular position of the end plate 36, so as to stably define the stable condition of normal use of the half-chin guard 14 with respect to the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b.

In particular, the adjustment means 43 are designed to adjust the angle of normal use a.

In exemplary embodiments described by fig.

6, the adjustment means 43 can be arranged on the end plate 36, and the internal abutment portion 40 can be fixed by means of fixing means 51, for example a fixing screw 5a, to the connection plate 35 on the internal side of the helmet 10, i.e. on the side facing the face of the user.

In alternative embodiments, not shown in the figures, the internal abutment portion 40 can also be made in a single piece with the connecting plate 35.

In these embodiments, the angular adjustment means 43 can comprise an adjustment dowel 47 which can be screwed into a threaded hole 44 made on the end plate 36, able to be rotated to move progressively against a contrasting portion 46 of the portion of internal stop 40, by adjusting the angle of normal use a.

In exemplary embodiments described by fig.

17, the adjustment means 43 can be arranged on the connecting plate 35, and the internal abutment portion 40 can be fixed to the end plate 36 by means of fixing means 51, for example a fixing screw 5a, or even made in one piece unique with end plate 36.

In these embodiments, the angular adjustment means 43 can comprise the adjustment dowel 47 which can be screwed into a threaded hole 44 made on the connecting plate 35, capable of being rotated to gradually abut against the contrast portion 46 of the internal stop portion 40, by adjusting the angle of normal use a.

In embodiments described by fig. 5, a hole is provided in the half-chin guard 14, in a position coordinated with the position of the adjustment dowel 47, which allows the user to operate the adjustment dowel 47 from the outside, for example by means of a screwdriver, thus adjusting the angular position of the half-chin bar 14.

Furthermore, in cases where the half-chin rest includes a microphone, the previously described embodiments allow you to adjust the distance of the microphone from the user's mouth.

In particular, in the embodiments by way of example described by figs. 4, 14 and 17, the adjustment of the microphone can take place thanks to the adjustment means 43, which allow you to adjust the angle of normal use a and therefore the angular position of the half-chime 14.

In particular, in the embodiments by way of example described by figs. 2 and 10, the adjustment of the microphone can take place thanks to the presence of the plurality of engagement seats 32 in the support arm 16, which allows to adjust the distance D between the half-chime 14 and the respective lateral extension 13 a, 13b.

The present invention also provides embodiments by way of example described by fig. 15, in which both the incineration is provided, which allows the half-chin guard to be rotated outwards, defining the extra-rotation angle β, and the adjustment means 43, which allows the normal angle to be adjusted use a.

Furthermore, in embodiments described by the combination of FIGS.

2 and 10 with figs. 4, 14 and 17, it is possible both to connect the half-chin guard 14 to the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b in a slidingly mobile manner, by adjusting the distance D, and to adjust the angle of normal use a of the half-chin guard 14 with respect to the respective extension lateral 13a, 13b.

Further, in embodiments described by the combination of FIG. 6 and 10 it is possible both to connect the half-chin guard 14 to the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b in a slidingly mobile manner, and to provide for the hinging that allows you to rotate the half-chin guard 14 outwards.

Furthermore, in exemplary embodiments described by fig. 6 it is possible both to connect the half-chin guard 14 to the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b in a releasable manner, and to provide for the incineration that allows you to rotate the half-chin guard 14 outwards.

Furthermore, in exemplary embodiments described by fig. 6 it is possible both to connect the half-chin guard 14 to the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b in a releasable manner, and to provide the adjustment means 43 which allow to adjust the angle of normal use a of the half-chin guard 14 with respect to the respective lateral extension 13a, 13b.

It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts can be made to the helmet described so far, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person skilled in the art will certainly be able to realize many other equivalent forms of helmet, having the characteristics expressed in the claims and therefore all falling within the scope of protection defined by them.

In the following claims, the references in brackets are for the sole purpose of facilitating reading and should not be considered as limiting factors as regards the scope of protection underlying the specific claims.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Helmet comprising: - a cap (11) provided with a pair of lateral extensions (13a, 13b), - a half-chin guard (14) provided on one of said lateral extensions (13a, 13b), characterized in that said helmet comprises an arm of support (16), configured to connect said half-chin guard (14) to the respective lateral extension (13a, 13b), said support arm (16) comprising a connecting plate (35), connected to said respective lateral extension (13a, 13b), and an end plate (36), on which said half-chin guard (14) is fixed, said connection plate (35) and said end plate (36) being hinged together to rotate said end plate (36) around to a rotation axis (R), between a stable condition of normal use and a temporary extra-rotated condition in which said end plate (36) is rotated laterally towards the outside, temporarily varying the angular position of said half-chin guard ( 14) with respect to said resp lateral extension (13a, 13b). 2. Helmet as in claim 1, characterized in that said support arm (16) comprises elastic means configured to normally maintain said end plate (36) in said stable condition of normal use, restoring said stable condition of normal use when said plate terminal (36) is rotated in said extra-rotated condition. 3. Helmet as in claims 1 or 2, characterized in that in said stable condition of normal use, respective articulation portions (37, 38) of said connection plate (35) and said end plate (36) lie on respective planes position (P, Q) defining an angle of normal use (a) between them, and in said temporary extra-rotated condition, said lying planes (P, Q) define an extra-rotation angle (β), different from said angle of normal use (a). 4. Helmet as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support arm (16) comprises an internal abutment portion (40), configured to block an inward rotation of said end plate (36) with respect to said connecting plate (35), opposite to said extra-rotation towards Pestemo. 5. Helmet as in claim 4, characterized in that said internal abutment portion (40) is fixed on, or made in a single piece with, said connection plate (35). 6. Helmet as in claim 4, characterized in that said internal abutment portion (40) is fixed on, or made in a single piece with, said end plate (36). 7. Helmet as in any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that said elastic means are configured as an elastic tab (39), arranged externally across the hinging regions of said articulation portions (37, 38). 8. Helmet as in claim 7, characterized in that said elastic tab (39) is made of polymeric material, in particular polycarbonate. Helmet as claimed in claims 7 or 8, characterized in that said elastic tab (39) has a flexural modulus of elasticity comprised in a range between 1400 and 1600N / mm, in particular between 1450 and 1550N / mm <2>. Helmet as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said half-chin guard (14) comprises a microphone and / or assemblies configured to house and / or to enslave said microphone.