RS63032B1 - Protective helmet with earpieces - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to protective helmets for vehicle drivers, which improve the user's spatial perception.

STATE OF THE ART

[0002] United States Patent No. US6347412 discloses an apparatus for redirecting sound from a generally rearward direction to the user's ears. The apparatus includes a sound reflector that can be worn directly by the user or can be attached to a special mount such as a helmet. The connection between the sound reflector and the helmet can be fixed or adjustable. When a helmet is used as the mount, the apparatus can include a spacer that is positioned between the two sound reflectors. The spacer directs sound to each of the two reflectors. The addition of a dampening pad helps the sound reflectors redirect air around the user's ears to reduce wind noise and increase the user's ability to hear sounds originating from a rearward direction.

[0003] Japanese patent JP2010047886 relates to a helmet that includes holes for canceling its closed state, a wind noise damper that covers the corresponding holes to prevent the generation of turbulent flow, and a hearing normalization means for preventing the generation of wind-related noise.

[0004] United States Patent No. US3797040 discloses a protective helmet for use by motorcyclists and includes a pair of manually controlled ear flaps or covers, which are installed to press against auditory openings located in line with the user's ear. When the flaps are fully open, they remain in this position until intentionally closed by the user. Each opening or cover includes a rubber seal to ensure a hermetic closure while the motorcycle is in motion.

[0005] United States Patent US3021526 discloses a helmet comprising ear cups, means mounted thereon for supporting ear cushions on each cup, each of the means comprising a series of substantially rigid telescopic rings arranged concentrically, of rectangular cross-section and of progressively decreasing diameter. Each successive ring is dimensioned to permit significant lateral movement relative to the next larger adjacent ring when said ring is fully telescopic within the larger ring. In addition, the body comprises diaphragms connecting successive rings and which are attached to the inner edge of the ring and to the outer edge of the next adjacent ring, as well as means for attaching the ear cushions to the innermost ring.

[0006] Chinese patent CN2172578 discloses a prismatic helmet with hearing aid, which is composed of convex edges, a hearing opening and a hearing cover. The prismatic helmet has high durability and ensures safe driving; It can be used by motorcyclists and drivers of some uncovered motor vehicles.

[0007] US 5;632;048 discloses a helmet comprising a hearing assembly including an inner ear cup connected to a rearwardly extending hearing chamber.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The inventor has identified a need in the technical field of helmets for drivers of uncovered vehicles to increase the driver's spatial perception of the location and distance of the surroundings, reducing the risk of traffic accidents.

[0009] The inventor provides a protective helmet consisting of an internal and external structure, which reconstructs the acoustic shape of the human ear, avoiding the reduction of perception while driving a vehicle. These structures are arranged vertically on the auditory canal of each ear of the user, allowing the driver to be aware of the sound frequencies of the environment. In addition, the inventive protective helmet can use a noise filter and a fabric, which reduce turbulence, recreating the acoustics of the human ear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0010]

Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a helmet composed of an internal structure and an external structure in a preferred embodiment of the helmet of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows an exploded diagram of a preferred embodiment of the helmet of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of one of the faces of a cone that is part of the internal structure of the helmet of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the other side of the cone which is part of the internal structure of the helmet of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a side view of a cone that is part of the internal structure of the helmet of the present invention.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the exterior of an ear element that is part of the exterior structure of the helmet of the present invention.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the inside of an ear element that is part of the outer structure of the helmet of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The helmet of the present invention comprises a shell (1) and on each side thereof, where the user's ears are usually located, an internal structure (3) and an external structure (2). These structures reconstruct the acoustic shape of human ears. The helmet also has a viewing port in the shell (1).

[0012] The inner structure (3) is arranged inside the helmet, while the outer structure (2) is placed on its outside and both are connected to the shell (1). Both the inner and outer structures (2 and 3) contain listening openings, which are flush with the listening opening on the shell (1), when said structures are connected to the shell (1), allowing sound to enter from the outside.

[0013] In particular, the internal structure (3) may comprise an ear cushion (4) and a cone (5).

[0014] The outer structure (2) may comprise an ear-shaped element (8) and optionally a lining (9).

[0015] The cone (5) may include a connecting horn (10) with an ear cushion (4). The ear cushion (4), the horn connector (10) with the ear cushion and the cone (5) each have one listening hole. The listening holes are aligned when the inner structure (3) and the outer structure (2) are assembled onto the shell (1).

[0016] Specifically, a horn (10) is inserted into the listening opening (13) of the ear cushion (4) to connect said cushion (4) to the cone (5).

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cone (5) and the horn (10) are made of a ductile material, which allows the horn (10) to be deformed to be inserted into the listening opening (13) of the ear cushion (4). Preferably, the ductile material may be silicone.

[0018] The ear-shaped element (8) comprises a listening opening, which is aligned with the listening openings (4) of the ear cushion, the coupling (10) of the horn with the ear cushion (4), the cone (5) and the shell (1), when they are connected to the latter.

[0019] The ear-shaped element (8) may comprise holding structures (11) on its inner side. The cone (5) may comprise connecting holes (15) for receiving the fastening structures (11). Likewise, the shell (1) may comprise connecting holes (12) through which the fastening structures (11) of the ear-shaped element (8) pass, thus connecting both the cone (5) and the ear-shaped element (8) to the shell (1).

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the filter (6) may be positioned within the listening hole (16) of the cone (5).

[0021] Additionally, a piece of fabric (7) can be inserted into the listening hole (14) of the shell (1) and into the listening hole (17) of the ear-shaped element (8), said piece of fabric also being attached to the listening hole (16) of the cone (5). Optionally, the piece of fabric is glued to the cone (5), on top of the filter (6).

[0022] The outer structure (2) may include a covering (9) on the ear-shaped element (8) to protect it from rain and foreign elements. The covering (9) may be attached to the wall of the inner part of the ear-shaped element (8), for example by means of an adhesive.

[0023] All listening holes (13, 14, 16 and 17) are aligned and are arranged perpendicular to the user's ear canal.

[0024] The sound signal enters through the external structure (2) and is acoustically transmitted to the cone (5). Then, the horn (10) transmits the sounds to the user's ear, also generating a signal closure. Thus, the ear adapts the perception of psychoacoustics and perceives the relative location and distance of the sound source. Thanks to the size of the cone attached to the user's ear, it is possible to increase the perception of sound and directional frequencies, which more easily generate the perception of location and distance for the user.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ear cushion (4) may be made of imitation leather, the filter (6) may be made of windproof foam, the piece of fabric (7) may be filled, the shell (1) may be made of polycarbonate, the ear-shaped element (8) may be made of silicone, and the lining (9) may be made of a fabric that is resistant to heat and UV rays. However, this list is not limiting and similar materials may be used.

Claims (8)

PATENT CLAIMS 1. A helmet comprising a shell (1) with a viewing space, characterized in that it comprises, at each of the two ends where the user's ears are located, a listening opening (14) in the shell, an ear-shaped element (8) connected to the outside of the shell (1) and a cone (5) connected by a horn (10) to an ear cushion (4) with the cone being attached to the inside of the shell (1), the ear-shaped element (8), the cone (5), the horn (10) and the ear cushion (4) each comprising a listening opening (17, 16, 13), listening holes aligned therebetween and with a listening opening (14) in the shell (1) and arranged perpendicular to the space in which the user's ear canal is located. 2. Helmet according to claim 1, characterized in that the ear-shaped element (8) comprises fastening structures (11) which pass through connection openings (12) in the shell (1) and which are connected to the connection holes (15) of the cone (5). 3. Helmet according to claim 1, characterized in that the horn (10) is inserted into the listening opening (13) of the ear cushions (4). 4. A helmet according to claim 1, characterized in that the cone (5) contains a filter (6) within its listening opening (16). 5. The helmet according to claim 1, further comprising a piece of fabric (7) that passes through the listening opening (14) of the shell (1) and the listening opening (17) of the ear-shaped element (8). 6. Helmet according to claim 1, characterized in that the ear-shaped element (8) is covered with a lining (9). 7. Helmet according to claim 1, characterized in that the cone (5) and the horn (10) are made of silicone. 8. A helmet according to claim 5, characterized in that the piece of fabric (7) is made of plush.