US20190357624A1

US20190357624A1 - Sports helmet

Info

Publication number: US20190357624A1
Application number: US16/378,866
Authority: US
Inventors: Daniel RIETZLER
Original assignee: Atomic Austria GmbH
Current assignee: Atomic Austria GmbH
Priority date: 2018-05-28
Filing date: 2019-04-09
Publication date: 2019-11-28
Also published as: EP3574785A1; AT521369B1; AT521369A4

Abstract

A sports helmet arrangement includes a helmet that has a helmet shell, a visor and a bearing device having a left and right bearing arrangement. The visor is mounted on the helmet shell by the bearing arrangements in a way that it can be pivoted between a protective position largely covering a face opening and a released position largely exposing the face opening. The helmet defines a bracing portion for the visor in the region of its helmet-shell rim bounding the face opening. Each of the pivot axes can be displaced respectively from an upper position lying closer to the helmet-shell upper side into a lower position spaced further apart from the helmet-shell upper side.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Austrian Application No. A 50432/2018 filed May 28, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a sports helmet arrangement, especially for eyeglasses wearers during the participation in winter sports and/or summer sports, having a helmet and, on a helmet shell of the helmet, a visor linked pivotably thereon.

2. Description of the Related Art

Sports helmet arrangements are already known in which the helmet together with its helmet shell is not designed as a full-visor helmet and the otherwise open facial region of the user or of the wearer of the helmet is covered by the flipped-down visor for formation of the protective position, especially for the region of the eyes. Thus, for example, during the participation in a sport, such as during skiing, for example, the headwind and, as the case may be, precipitation that is also falling is prevented from a direct impact on the eyes. For eyeglasses wearers, the problem has existed in many cases that, during flipping-down of the visor, the lower visor rim or the lower visor rim region collides with the eyeglasses, especially their eyeglass frames. In some cases, there was not even enough free space present behind the visor for accommodation of the glasses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The task of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a sports helmet arrangement that can be adapted individually to the needs and body characteristics of the respective user in his or her facial region. Beyond this, however, it is also intended to further preserve the seal between helmet and visor.
This task is accomplished by a sports helmet arrangement according to the invention.
The sports helmet arrangement according to the invention is used in particular by eyeglasses wearers during the participation in the most diverse sports types in winter sports, such as skiing sport or snowboarding sport, and/or, however, also in summer sports types, and it comprises

- a helmet having a helmet shell, which helmet is designed for at least partial accommodation of a head, to be protected, of a user, and which helmet shell, together with a helmet-shell rim, defines at its front side a face opening, and which helmet shell further forms a helmet-shell upper side as well as a temporal region on both sides, wherein a middle plane is disposed in a manner extending centrally between the two temporal regions, which middle plane extends from the front side to a rear head side of the helmet,
- a visor, which visor comprises an upper visor rim region and a lower visor rim region, wherein the lower visor rim region can be turned toward the nose of the user,
- a left bearing device having a left bearing arrangement and a right bearing arrangement, which bearing arrangements are respectively disposed or formed on the helmet shell in one of the temporal regions, and the left bearing arrangement defines a left pivot axis and the right bearing arrangement a right pivot axis,
- wherein the visor is pivotably mounted on the helmet shell by means of the bearing arrangements, and the visor can be pivoted around the pivot axes between a protective position largely covering a face opening and a released position largely exposing the face opening, and, in this connection,
- the helmet, especially the helmet shell, defines a bracing portion in the region of its helmet-shell rim bounding the face opening as well as at least in the region of the middle plane, and the visor in its protective position is braced together with its upper visor rim region at least in regions on the bracing portion, and, furthermore,
- each of the pivot axes can be displaced respectively from an upper position -P(o)- situated closer to the helmet-shell upper side into a lower position -P(u)- spaced further apart from the helmet-shell upper side.

The advantage achieved thereby lies in that the relative location of the pivoting centers is displaced due to the capability of adjustment or the capability of variable arrangement of the left and right pivot axes for the visor relative to the helmet shell. In connection with the bracing of the upper visor rim region of the visor in the front middle region of the helmet shell and of the selected location or position of the pivot axes, a kind of tilting movement of the visor, especially of it lower visor rim region on the side turned away or direction turned away from the rear head side is achieved. Thus a universally usable sports helmet arrangement is created, which, depending on need, may be adapted to the respective user with use of a pair of eyeglasses or without use of a pair of eyeglasses. Since pivot axes of the lower visor rim region situated in the lower position -P(u)- remain further removed from the face of the user during flipping-down of the visor than in the upper position -P(o)-, a possible collision, especially of the lower visor rim region, of the visor with the lower rim of the eyeglasses is prevented. In this way, not only is sufficient space created but also the pivoting movement of the visor is simplified, without unwanted pushing of the spectacles during flipping down.
Furthermore, it is also even possible thereby for the user to wear sunglasses, if the visor has no or only a little filtering effect for UV rays. If the user does not wear any eyeglasses, the pivot axes are disposed in that place or position -P(o)- situated closer to the helmet upper side, whereby the lower visor rim region is disposed closer to the face of the user when the visor is situated in the protective position.
Furthermore, it may be advantageous when the upper position -P(o)- and the lower position -(u)- of the respective pivot axis are disposed directly one above the other. Due to the arrangement of the positions of the respective pivot axes directly one above the other, the extent of tilting movement of the lower visor rim region and associated therewith the creation of the additional free space is therefore defined, depending on selected spacing.
Another embodiment is characterized in that the upper position -P(o)- and the lower position -P(u)- of the respective pivot axis are disposed on a circular arc, wherein the center of the circular arc in a view normal to the middle plane passes through the bracing portion on the helmet. Therewith a secure bracing and a preferably sealing attachment of the upper visor rim region on the bracing portion of the helmet, especially its helmet shell, can always be ensured.
A further possible embodiment has the features that at least one intermediate position is provided between the upper position -P(o)- and the lower position -P(u)- of each of the two pivot axes. Therewith a more individual adaptation of the relative position of the visor with respect to the helmet shell of the helmet may be created.
A further construction provides that each of the pivot axes of the bearing arrangements is adjustable respectively along an adjustment path from its upper position -P(o)- to the lower position -P(u)- and vice versa. Thus an infinitely variable or an almost infinitely variable adjustment movement and therefore an individual relative positioning of each of the pivot axes with respect to the helmet shell may be created.
Another embodiment is characterized in that a latching device is provided between each of the two bearing arrangements and the helmet shell, by means of which latching device each of the positions of the respective pivot axis relative to the helmet shell can be defined along the adjustment path. By the provision of a latching device, any possible latching position along the adjustment path may be permitted and also set in fixed manner. Thus a more individual adaptation to the respective wishes and usage conditions of the user may be achieved.
A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that at least one first receiving opening for formation of the upper position -P(o)- as a first fixed position and at least one second receiving opening for formation of the lower position -P(u)- as a second fixed position are provided respectively in the two temporal regions in the helmet shell of the helmet. Due to the provision of specific receiving openings for each of the positions, an exactly predefined relative location and position of the visor with respect to the helmet shell may be created.
Furthermore, it may be advantageous when respectively a first bearing element is provided for formation of the two bearing arrangements, and respectively the upper position -P(o)- of the two pivot axes is defined by the first bearing elements in the first fixed position with respect to the helmet shell. Due to the provision of the first bearing elements, preferably respectively in a left and right embodiment, a first fixed position defined in fixed manner may therefore be created for the linkage of the visor on the helmet.
Another alternative embodiment is characterized in that respectively a second bearing element is provided for formation of the two bearing arrangements, and respectively the lower position -P(u)- of the two pivot axes is defined by the second bearing elements in the second fixed position with respect to the helmet shell. Due to the provision of specific second bearing elements, a further exact location of the pivot centers of the visor on the helmet shell of the helmet may therefore be defined, depending on need. Thus it is already defined in advance whether the helmet together with the visor is to be adjusted for an eyeglasses wearer or for a user without eyeglasses.
A further possible and as the case may be alternative embodiment has the features that the first bearing element and the second bearing element are respectively designed as a left embodiment and as a right embodiment. Thus an exact individual adaptation of each of the bearing arrangements to the respective bearing point to be formed may be created.
A further development provides that the two pivot axes are respectively designed as physical axles and the visor is mounted pivotably on the physical axles, and that each of the physical axles passes through the first bearing element and the first receiving opening or each of the physical axles passes through the second bearing element and the second receiving opening. Due to the formation of the pivot axes as specific physical axles, an even more individual and more exact matching of the respective bearing arrangement to the construction of the respective bearing point may therefore be created. Furthermore, however, an even better and more exact pivot bearing system for the visor may be formed therewith.
Another embodiment is characterized in that each of the physical axles is held in fixed manner on the helmet shell. Therewith a stable and permanent linkage of the left and right end regions of the visor on the helmet shell may be created.
A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that each of the bearing elements is held in likewise immovably positioned manner on the helmet shell when the pivot axes are situated in the first fixed position or in the second fixed position. Thus a pivoting movement of the visor relative to the helmet shell may additionally be defined in cooperation with the visor. Beyond this, however, an even more stable construction of the bearing device or its bearing arrangements may also be created in this way.
Furthermore, it may be advantageous when the left bearing arrangement comprises a left bearing base part and the right bearing arrangement a right bearing base part, and that the two bearing base parts can be disposed in a manner interchangeable with one another on the helmet shell for formation of the upper position -P(o)- or of the lower position -P(u)-. Thus the production of additional structural parts is rendered unnecessary. Furthermore, however, a faster changeover of the visor from a helmet wearer without eyeglasses to a helmet wearer with eyeglasses or vice versa may be achieved therewith.
Another embodiment is characterized in that the visor comprises respectively a bearing-axis element both on its left end portion and on its right end portion, and each bearing-axis element is inserted optionally either into the first receiving opening or into the second receiving opening. Therewith a pivotable linkage of the visor on the helmet, especially its helmet shell, may be created in a relatively simple way. Furthermore, however, a faster and usually tool-free process of changeover from one fixed position to the other fixed position may also be performed therewith.
A further possible embodiment has the features that a screening element is provided, which screening element is designed in the shape of a bar profile and is disposed at least in portions along the lower visor rim region in a manner extending along the visor. By the provision of a specific screening element on the lower visor rim region, the free space, formed behind the visor, between the visor and the face of the user, especially the eyes, may therefore be better screened from an increased admission of draft or headwind.
A further construction provides that the screening element, starting from an inner face turned toward the rear head side of the helmet shell, is disposed in a direction protruding toward the rear head side. Thus the gap formed between the lower visor rim region and the face may be reduced and so the access of draft to the face, especially the eyes, may be further minimized.
Finally, another embodiment is characterized in that a sealing element is provided, which sealing element is disposed on the helmet shell at least in portions in the region of the helmet-shell rim defining the face opening, and the visor in its protective position largely covering the face opening bears with its upper visor rim region on the sealing element. Thus even better and safer sealing may be achieved in the region of the helmet-shell rim, on which the upper visor rim region of the visor is also braced at least in portions. Furthermore, however, an abrasion or scratching of the inner face of the visor due to it pivoting movements between the protective position and the released position may also be prevented therewith, by virtue of the sealing element, which is usually formed from a soft elastic material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of a sports helmet arrangement having a helmet and a visor linked thereon and with the pivot axis for the visor—which is situated on the helmet in the flipped-down protective position—in the upper position -P(o)-, lying closer to the helmet-shell upper side;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the sports helmet arrangement according to FIG. 1, but with the pivot axis for the visor situated in the lower position -P(u)-, as well as with the visor situated in the protective position;

FIG. 3 shows the sports helmet arrangement according to FIG. 2, in an axial section through the helmet middle;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the helmet shell of the helmet on its own, with bearing arrangement removed and visor removed;

FIG. 5 shows the right-side bearing arrangement of the helmet according to FIG. 2, in the section according to the lines V-V in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatic representation of the first bearing element of the bearing arrangement on its side of attachment to the helmet shell;

FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic representation of the second bearing element of the bearing arrangement on its side of attachment to the helmet shell;

FIG. 8 shows a diagrammatic representation of a further possible construction of bearing base parts for formation of the two bearing arrangements of the bearing device in a view of the face side of the helmet plus visor, not illustrated;

FIG. 9 shows a section through another embodiment of the bearing device in the region of the right-side bearing arrangement, with a bearing-axis element passing through the visor; and

FIG. 10 shows a further possible construction of the bearing device in side view of the temporal region of the helmet as well as in section, with the visor removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

By way of introduction, it is pointed out that like parts in the differently described embodiments are denoted with like reference symbols or like structural-part designations, wherein the disclosures contained in the entire description can be carried over logically to like parts with like reference symbols or like structural-part designations. The position indications chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., for example, are also relative to the figure being directly described as well as illustrated, and these position indications are to be logically carried over to the new position upon a position change.
The term “in particular” or “especially” will be understood hereinafter to mean a possible more special design or more detailed specification of an item or of a method step, but does not necessarily have to represent a mandatory, preferred embodiment of the same or a mandatory procedure.
In FIGS. 1 to 7, a possible construction of a sports helmet arrangement 1 is shown that in particular may be used by eyeglasses wearers for the winter sports and/or, however, also for the summer sports. The types of winter sports may be skiing sport, snowboarding sport, ice hockey, etc., among others. Examples regarded as types of summer sports are the bicycling sport, skateboarding sport, water sports, etc.
The sports helmet arrangement 1 comprises at least one helmet 2 having a helmet shell 3 and, on the helmet shell 3, a visor 4 mounted pivotably thereon. The helmet shell 2 further comprises, also in known manner, fastening means, such as a chinstrap, for retention and fastening of the helmet 2 on the head of the user, not shown in further detail. In a receiving space 5 formed by the helmet shell 3 for the head of the user, usually a padding is disposed or received. For further adjustment and the associated adaptation to the head circumference of the user, a head-width adjusting device may be provided. Since these last-described structural parts or structural-part components are not necessarily related directly to the present invention, they have also not been provided with their own reference symbols.
A first construction of a bearing device 15 for the visor 4 on the helmet shell 3 is shown and described in the following. The helmet 2 together with its helmet 3 is designed not as a full-visor helmet but instead in the manner of a hollow dome, wherein the helmet shell 3 forms at least one temporal region 6 laterally, namely on the left side and right side, and also covers these for the user. The helmet shell 3 and/or the padding may also extend still further over an ear region or form this on both sides. Furthermore, the helmet 2 or its helmet shell 3 in normal use position and user standing upright defines a helmet-shell upper side 7, a front side 8 as well as a rear head side 9. For better and easier definition of location information and arrangements relative to one another, a middle plane 10 is defined. In the use position described in the foregoing, the middle plane 10 forms a vertical plane, which is disposed in a manner extending centrally between the two temporal regions 6. Furthermore, the middle plane 10, starting from the front side 8, extends to the rear head side 9 of the helmet 2 or of its helmet shell 3.
At its front side 8, the helmet shell 3, together with a helmet-shell rim 11, defines a face opening 12, which extends via a front region up to the two temporal regions 6. The face opening 12 serves to expose and not to cover at least a sub-portion of the front of the user, the eye part and as the case may be also the nose of the user. With the visor 4 situated in the protective position, it is intended that at least the eye part and as the case may be also even the nose of the user will be covered by it.
The visor 4 is mounted in articulated or pivotable manner on the helmet shell 3. This takes place in the two end portions, namely a left end portion 13 and a right end portion 14. For this purpose, a bearing device 15, which in turn comprises a left bearing arrangement 16 and a right bearing arrangement 17, is provided for each of the end portions 13, 14. Each of the bearing arrangements 16, 17 is also disposed or formed in the respective temporal region 6 of the helmet 2. Usually these are independent structural parts or structural-part components. The left bearing arrangement 16 defines or forms a left pivot axis 18 and the right bearing arrangement 17 defines or forms a right pivot axis 19 for the visor 4 mounted thereon. The pivot axis 18, 19 may be formed by a physical axle or may represent merely an imaginary axle.
Furthermore, the visor 4 comprises an upper visor rim region 20 and a lower visor rim region 21, or it forms these. The two visor rim regions 20, 21 extend between the two end portions 13, 14. Over its circumferential extent between the two end portions 13, 14 or the bearing arrangements 16, 17, the visor 4 has a convex or arched longitudinal shape. The lower visor rim region 21 can be turned toward the nose of the user or lies closer to this than the upper visor rim region 20.
Due to the pivotable bearing system of the visor 4 on the helmet shell 3 of the helmet 2, the visor 4 can be pivoted as needed around the pivot axes 18, 19 between a protective position largely covering the face opening 12 and a released position largely exposing the face opening 12 and vice versa. The two positions (protective position and released position) respectively define maximum positions, wherein any intermediate positions are also still possible between these. Largely in this context means that, in the covering protective position, more than 50%, preferably up to 80%, 90% of the face opening 12 is covered in all cases, or this is even completely covered. By the released condition, it will be understood that more than 50%, preferably up to 80%, 90% of the face opening 12 is not covered in all cases and therefore is freely accessible. The face opening 12 may even be completely exposed by the visor 4 and thus no covering of any kind exists.
If the visor 4 is situated in its protective position, its upper visor rim region 20 is braced in a bracing portion 22 on the helmet shell 3 at least in the region of the middle plane 10. The bracing portion 22 is situated at least in the region of or along the helmet-shell rim 11 bounding the face opening 12. Preferably, a sealing element 23 may also even be provided, which in the protective position is disposed between the helmet shell 3 and the visor 4. Thus a penetration of snow, water, dirt or the like into the receiving space 5 may be prevented or minimized. The sealing element 23 is usually made in the form of a flat profile or bar and is formed from a material having a low modulus of elasticity. Therefore the sealing element 23 is easily deformable and may even have self-restoring properties after its deformation and removal of load. Furthermore, the sealing element 23 is disposed on the helmet shell 3 at least in portions in the region of the helmet-shell rim 11 defining the face opening 12. Preferably, the sealing element 23 extends continuously along the helmet-shell rim 11, in order to achieve a good sealing effect. If the sealing element 23 is provided, the visor 4 in its protective position largely covering the face opening 12 is braced with its upper visor rim region 20 on the helmet shell 3 and thus on the helmet 2, with interposition of the sealing element 23.
In order to achieve a better bracing and/or a better sealing effect of the visor 4 on the helmet shell 3, especially its helmet-shell rim 11 or helmet-shell rim region, the helmet shell 3 may have a rim portion that is made in the form of a shield 24. The shield 24 forms a projection or shoulder, on which the sealing element 23 also may be disposed externally. The upper visor rim region 20 may preferably be formed with equal but opposite inclination, in order to form, in the protective position of the visor 4, approximately a parallel alignment with respect to the shield 24 and associated therewith a snug attachment. This can be seen in particular in the diagrams of FIGS. 3 and 4.
Furthermore, even a screening element 25, which is likewise made in the form of a flat profile or bar, may also be provided on the visor 4. The screening element 25 is shown in FIG. 3. The screening element 25 is disposed at least in portions along the lower visor rim region 21 in a manner extending along the visor 4. The arrangement or fastening on the visor 4 may take place in such a way that the screening element 25, starting from an inner face of the visor 4 turned toward the rear head side 9 of the helmet shell 3, is disposed in a direction protruding toward the rear head side 9.
As described in the foregoing and as can be seen better from FIG. 3, the visor 4 together with its upper visor rim region 20 is braced on the helmet shell 3, especially on the sealing element 23, at least in the region of the middle plane 10. The bracing portion 22 forms an abutment, at least in regions, for the visor 4 bearing thereon.
In order to achieve a displacement of the lower visor rim region 21 relative to the helmet shell 3 on the side or direction turned away from the rear head side 9, it is provided here that each of the pivot axes 18, 19 can be displaced respectively from an upper position -P(o)- lying closer to the helmet-shell upper side 7 into a lower position -P(u)- spaced further apart from the helmet-shell upper side 7. The two positions -P(o)- and -P(u)- may be understood as maximum positions, wherein any intermediate positions are possible and conceivable. The lower position -P(u)- of the visor 4 and its relative location with respect to the helmet 2 is shown by solid lines in FIG. 2. The relative location of the visor 4 with its lower visor rim region 21 when the pivot axes 18, 19 are situated in the upper position -P(o)- is shown as dashed lines in FIG. 2.
By displaceable, it will be understood that the respective relative positions with respect to the helmet shell 3 and its helmet-shell upper side 7 can be achieved respectively by an immovable arrangement or by an adjustable arrangement. For easier definition of the spacing or of the distance with respect to the helmet-shell upper side 7, a horizontal plane that passes through the uppermost point of the helmet-shell upper side 7 may also be used as reference. The alignment and arrangement of the helmet 2 take place in the usual use situation. Then the spacings may be referenced to the horizontal plane. Otherwise, the spacing or the distance along the convex helmet shell 3 may be selected starting from the middle plane 10.
In the exemplary embodiment presented here, it is also shown that a specifically formed bearing element 26 and 27 is respectively provided for each of the positions -P(o)- and -P(u)- of the two pivot axes 18, 19. Thus respectively a first bearing element 26 for formation of the left and right bearing arrangement 16, 17 is provided for the upper position -P(o)- of the pivot axes 18, 19, as is illustrated in FIG. 6. Respectively the upper position -P(o)- of the two pivot axes 18, 19 is defined by the first bearing elements 26 in a first fixed position with respect to the helmet shell 3. The first bearing element 26 may be formed as a specific first left bearing element 26-1 and as a specific first right bearing element 26-2. As described in the foregoing, the upper position -P(o)- of the pivot axes 18, 19 serves to dispose the visor 4, starting from its attachment on the bracing portion 22 up to its lower visor rim region 21 close to the receiving space 5 or the rear head side 9 of the helmet 2.
For achievement of the lower position -P(u)- of the pivot axes 18, 19 and the associated pivoting forward of the lower visor rim region 21 on the side turned away from the receiving space 5 or from the rear head side 9 of the helmet 2, the specific second bearing element 27 for formation of the left and right bearing arrangement 16, 17 is provided for this purpose. The second bearing element 27 is illustrated in FIG. 7. Here also, respectively the lower position -P(u)- of the two pivot axes 18, 19 is defined by the second bearing elements 27 in a second fixed position with respect to the helmet shell 3. Furthermore, the second bearing element 27 may also be formed as a second left bearing element 27-1 and as a second right bearing element 27-2. This can be seen best from FIGS. 2 and 7. The left bearing elements 26-1 and 27-1 and also the right bearing elements 26-2, 27-2 may also be referred to as the left embodiment and as the right embodiment of the two bearing elements 26 and 27.
Preferably, each of the bearing elements 26, 27 is held in likewise immovably positioned manner on the helmet shell 3 when the pivot axes 18, 19 are situated in the first fixed position or else in the second fixed position. Thus the relative locations or positions -P(o)- and -P(u)- of the left pivot axis 18 and of the right pivot axis 19 with respect to the helmet 2 or its helmet shell 3 are unambiguously defined.
In this exemplary embodiment, the left and right pivot axes 18, 19 are formed as left and right physical axles 33, 34. The bearing elements 26, 27 together with the physical axles 33, 34 received therein respectively form a structural unit, on which respectively the end portions 13, 14 of the visor 4 are mounted. In principle, the visor 4 should remain the same and only the linkage points and thus the pivot axes 18, 19 should be changed in their relative location with respect to the helmet shell 3. Each of the physical axles 33, 34 passes through either the first bearing element 26 and a first receiving opening 30 in the helmet shell 3 of the helmet 2 or else the second bearing element 27 and a second receiving opening 31.
Each of the bearing elements 26, 27 in turn is defined or can be defined in its position on the helmet shell 3—see FIG. 4—by means of at least one holding element 28 on a holding-element seat 29 provided for the purpose in the helmet shell 3. To prevent a twisting, preferably several, preferably two holding elements 28 respectively and, on the helmet shell 3 also, several, preferably two holding-element seats 29 respectively are provided for each of the bearing elements 26, 27. Due to the different positioning relative to one another of the holding element or elements 28 with respect to the location of the pivot axes 18, 19 defined by the physical axles 33, 34, and to the immovable holding-element seats 29 on the helmet shell 3, the upper position -P(o)- or the lower position -P(u)- of the pivot axes 18, 19 may be unambiguously defined.
Furthermore, respectively at least one first receiving opening 30 and at least one second receiving opening 31 are provided in the helmet shell 3 both on the left side and on the right side, as has already been described in the foregoing. The first receiving openings 30 serve respectively for the receiving of a left pivot axis 18 and of a right pivot axis 19 and thus for the formation of the first fixed position, namely in the upper position -P(o)-. The second receiving openings 31 likewise serve respectively for the receiving of a left pivot axis 18 and of a right pivot axis 19, but for the formation of the second fixed position, namely in the lower position -P(u)-. Due to the provision of the receiving openings 30, 31 respectively on both sides in each of the temporal regions 6, the pivot axes 18, 19 or the physical axles 33, 34 forming these may be received either in the first receiving openings 30 or in the second receiving openings 31 and held on the helmet shell 3.
The first bearing element 26 and the second bearing element 27 formed differently relative to one another are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. From this it can be seen that the at least one holding element 28 and the bearing opening 32 for receiving of the pivot axes 18, 19 are disposed or formed, relative to one another, in different positions on the bearing elements 26, 27. During use of the first bearing elements 26, the pivot axes 18, 19 are inserted into the upper or first receiving openings 30 in the helmet shell 3 and held on the helmet shell 3 in a manner positioned thereon. If, in contrast, the second bearing elements 27 are used, the pivot axes 18, 19 formed by the physical axles 33, 34 are inserted into the lower or second receiving openings 31 in the helmet shell 3 and held on the helmet shell 3 in a manner positioned thereon. The fastening of the physical axles 33, 34 takes place preferably in a manner fixed on the helmet shell 3.
The upper position -P(o)- and the lower position -P(u)- of the respective pivot axis 18, 19 or else even of the first receiving opening 30 and of the second receiving opening 31 are chosen such that these are disposed directly one above the other in a view toward the temporal regions 6 or the temporal side of the helmet 2. However, it would also be possible to choose an arrangement relative to one another such that the upper position -P(o)- and the lower position -P(u)- of the respective pivot axis 18, 19 or else even of the first receiving opening 30 and of the second receiving opening 31 are disposed on a circular arc. In a view normal to the middle plane 10, the middle or the center of the circular arc passes through the bracing point 22 on the helmet 2 or on the helmet shell 3. It would also be even possible not only to define the two positions described in the foregoing (upper position -P(o)- and lower position -P(u)-), but also even to create at least one intermediate position between these. This could be done by means of at least one further receiving opening, which for the sake of better clarity has not been illustrated in more detail.
In FIG. 8, a further embodiment, which as the case may be is independent in itself, of the bearing arrangements 16, 17 for the visor 4 is shown, wherein once again like reference symbols or structural-part designations are used for like parts, as in the foregoing FIGS. 1 to 7. To avoid unnecessary repetitions, the detailed description in the foregoing FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 is invoked or reference is made thereto. Here, a diagram is chosen that illustrates a view of the face side of the helmet 2. For the sake of better clarity, the helmet 2 as well as the visor 4 is not illustrated.
As described in the foregoing, a specific first left bearing element 26-1 and first right bearing element 26-2 and a second left bearing element 27-1 and second right bearing element 27-2 are provided for each of the two positions -P(o)- and -P(u)-.
In contrast to this, it is now provided in this exemplary embodiment that the left bearing arrangement 16 comprises a left bearing base part 35 and the right bearing arrangement 17 a right bearing base part 36. The two bearing base parts 35, 36 are designed in such a way that, when the left bearing base part 35 is situated on the left side of the helmet 2 and the right bearing base part 36 is situated on the right side of the helmet 2, respectively the upper position -P(o)- is defined for the arrangement of the two pivot axes 18, 19.
However, if the two bearing base parts 35, 36 are interchanged with one another in their arrangement on the helmet 2 or on the helmet shell 3, these form or these define respectively the lower position -P(u)- for the two pivot axes 18, 19. Thus the left bearing base part 35 is situated on the right side of the helmet 2 and the right bearing base part 36 on the left side of the helmet 2. This is indicated by dashed lines. The pivot axes 18, 19 described in the foregoing and formed as physical axles 33, 34, the receiving openings 30, 31, the at least one holding element 28 as well as the at least one holding-element seat 29 may be provided by analogy with what has already been described in detail in the foregoing.
In FIG. 9, a further embodiment, which as the case may be is independent in itself, of the bearing arrangements 16, 17 for the visor 4 is shown, wherein once again like reference symbols or structural-part designations are used for like parts, as in the foregoing FIGS. 1 to 8. To avoid unnecessary repetitions, the detailed description in the foregoing FIG. 1 to FIG. 8 is invoked or reference is made thereto.
In this embodiment, it is provided that respectively at least the first receiving opening 30 and the second receiving opening 31 are disposed and formed in the helmet shell 3 of the helmet 2 on both sides in each temporal region 6. Furthermore, respectively one bearing-axis element 37 is provided in the left end portion 13 and also in the right end portion 14 of the visor 4. The bearing-axis elements 37 pass through the visor 4 respectively in a bore 38 and extend into the respective receiving opening 30 or 31. The bearing-axis elements 37 are designed substantially in the manner of bolts, especially hollow cylinders, and at their ends turned away from the helmet shell 3 respectively have a holding shoulder 39 protruding beyond the bore 38 in radial direction. Furthermore, in the region of the inner side of the helmet shell 3, at least one latching projection 40 is provided on the bearing-axis element 37. Therewith each of the bearing-axis elements 37 can be held in its location, in axial direction on the side turned away from the receiving space 5, in a manner positioned with respect to the helmet shell 3.
In FIG. 10, a further embodiment, which as the case may be is independent in itself, of the bearing arrangements 16, 17 for the visor 4 is shown, wherein once again like reference symbols or structural-part designations are used for like parts, as in the foregoing FIGS. 1 to 9. To avoid unnecessary repetitions, the detailed description in the foregoing FIG. 1 to FIG. 9 is invoked or reference is made thereto.
It is provided in this exemplary embodiment that each of the pivot axes 18, 19, especially respectively the physical axles 33, 34, of the bearing arrangements 16, 17 is adjustable respectively along an adjustment path 41 from its upper position -P(o)- to the lower position -P(u)- and vice versa. For this purpose, a longitudinal slit 42, which may serve for the receiving of one of the physical axles 33, 34, may be formed at least in the helmet shell 3. For longitudinal guidance along the adjustment path 41, respectively a specific guide arrangement may be additionally provided between the bearing arrangement 16, 17 and the helmet shell 3. For definition of the respective relative location of the bearing arrangement 16, 17 and of the helmet shell 3, a specific latching device 43 is provided or formed on each side of the helmet shell 3 in its temporal region 6. By means of the latching devices 43, each of the positions of the respective pivot axes 18, 19 relative to the helmet shell 3 may be defined along the adjustment path 41 and set individually according to the needs of the user. As an example of the latching device 43 here, a tooth row along the adjustment path 41 is illustrated on the helmet shell 3 on both sides of the longitudinal slit 42 as the first latching elements and second latching elements that can be brought into latching engagement therewith are provided on the bearing arrangement 16, 17. The second latching elements may be respectively pressed by elastic preloading against the first latching elements.
The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants, wherein it must be noted at this place that the invention is not restricted to the specially illustrated embodiment variants of the same, but to the contrary diverse combinations of the individual embodiment variants with one another are also possible and, on the basis of the teaching of the technical handling by the subject invention, this variation possibility lies within the know-how of the person skilled in the art and active in this technical field.
The scope of protection is defined by the claims. However, the description and the drawings are to be used for interpretation of the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the shown and described different exemplary embodiments may represent inventive solutions that are independent in themselves. The task underlying the independent inventive solutions may be inferred from the description.
All statements about value ranges in the description of the subject matter are to be understood to the effect that they jointly comprise any desired and all sub-ranges therefrom, e.g. the statement 1 to 10 is to be understood to the effect that all sub-ranges, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10 are jointly comprised, i.e. all sub-ranges begin with a lower range of 1 or greater and end at an upper limit of 10 or smaller, e.g. 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.
Finally, it must be pointed out, as a matter of form, that some elements have been illustrated not to scale and/or enlarged and/or reduced for better understanding of the structure.
Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1 Sports helmet arrangement
2 Helmet
3 Helmet shell
4 Visor
5 Receiving space
6 Temporal region
7 Helmet shell upper side
8 Front side
9 Rear head side
10 Middle plane
11 Helmet-shell rim
12 Face opening
13 Left end portion
14 Right end portion
15 Bearing device
16 Left bearing arrangement
17 Right bearing arrangement
18 Left pivot axis
19 Right pivot axis
20 Upper visor rim region
21 Lower visor rim region
22 Bracing portion
23 Sealing element
24 Shield
25 Screening element
26 First bearing element
27 Second bearing element
28 Holding element
29 Holding-element seat
30 First receiving opening
31 Second receiving opening
32 Bearing opening
33 Left physical axle
34 Right physical axle
35 Left bearing base part
36 Right bearing base part
37 Bearing-axis element
38 Bore
39 Holding shoulder
40 Latching projection
41 Adjustment path
42 Longitudinal slit
43 Latching device
-P(o)- Upper position
-P(u)- Lower position

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A sports helmet arrangement, especially for eyeglasses wearers during the participation in winter sports and/or summer sports, comprising

a helmet having a helmet shell, which helmet is designed for at least partial accommodation of a head, to be protected, of a user, and which helmet shell, together with a helmet-shell rim defines at its front side a face opening, and which helmet shell further forms a helmet-shell upper side as well as a temporal region on both sides, wherein a middle plane is disposed in a manner extending centrally between the two temporal regions, which middle plane extends from the front side to a rear head side of the helmet;

a visor, which visor comprises an upper visor rim region and a lower visor rim region, wherein the lower visor rim region can be turned toward a nose of the user;

a bearing device having a left bearing arrangement and a right bearing arrangement, which bearing arrangements are respectively disposed or formed on the helmet shell in one of the temporal regions, and the left bearing arrangement defines a left pivot axis and the right bearing arrangement a right pivot axis;

wherein the visor is pivotably mounted on the helmet shell by means of the bearing arrangements, and the visor can be pivoted around the pivot axes between a protective position largely covering a face opening and a released position largely exposing the face opening;

wherein:

the helmet, especially the helmet shell, defines a bracing portion in the region of its helmet-shell rim bounding the face opening as well as at least in the region of the middle plane, and the visor in its protective position is braced together with its upper visor rim region at least in regions on the bracing portion; and

each of the pivot axes can be displaced respectively from an upper position situated closer to the helmet-shell upper side into a lower position spaced further apart from the helmet-shell upper side.

2. The sports helmet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the upper position and the lower position of the respective pivot axis are disposed directly one above the other.

3. The sports helmet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the upper position and the lower position of the respective pivot axis are disposed on a circular arc, wherein the center of the circular arc in a view normal to the middle plane passes through the bracing portion on the helmet.

4. The sports helmet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one intermediate position is provided between the upper position and the lower position of each of the two pivot axes.

5. The sports helmet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each of the pivot axes of the bearing arrangements is adjustable respectively along an adjustment path from its upper position to the lower position and vice versa.

6. The sports helmet arrangement according to claim 5, wherein a latching device is provided between each of the two bearing arrangements and the helmet shell, by means of which latching device each of the positions of the respective pivot axis relative to the helmet shell can be defined along the adjustment path.

7. The sports helmet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one first receiving opening for formation of the upper position as a first fixed position and at least one second receiving opening for formation of the lower position as a second fixed position are provided respectively in the two temporal regions in the helmet shell of the helmet.

8. The sports helmet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein respectively a first bearing element is provided for formation of the two bearing arrangements, and respectively the upper position of the two pivot axes is defined by the first bearing elements in the first fixed position with respect to the helmet shell.

9. The sports helmet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein respectively a second bearing element is provided for formation of the two bearing arrangements, and respectively the lower position of the two pivot axes is defined by the second bearing elements in the second fixed position with respect to the helmet shell.

10. The sports helmet arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the first bearing element and the second bearing element are respectively designed as a left embodiment and as a right embodiment.

11. The sports helmet arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the two pivot axes are respectively designed as physical axles and the visor is mounted pivotably on the physical axles, and wherein each of the physical axles passes through the first bearing element and the first receiving opening or each of the physical axles passes through the second bearing element and the second receiving opening.

12. The sports helmet arrangement according to claim 11, wherein each of the physical axles is held in fixed manner on the helmet shell.

13. The sports helmet arrangement according to claim 8, wherein each of the bearing elements is held in likewise immovably positioned manner on the helmet shell when the pivot axes are situated in the first fixed position or in the second fixed position.

14. The sports helmet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the left bearing arrangement comprises a left bearing base part and the right bearing arrangement comprises a right bearing base part, and wherein the two bearing base parts can be disposed in a manner interchangeable with one another on the helmet shell for formation of the upper position or of the lower position.

15. The sports helmet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the visor comprises respectively a bearing-axis element both on its left end portion and on its right end portion, and each bearing-axis element is inserted optionally either into the first receiving opening or into the second receiving opening.

16. The sports helmet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a screening element is provided, which screening element is designed in the shape of a bar profile and is disposed at least in portions along the lower visor rim region in a manner extending along the visor.

17. The sports helmet arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the screening element, starting from an inner face turned toward the rear head side of the helmet shell, is disposed in a direction protruding toward the rear head side.

18. The sports helmet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a sealing element is provided, which sealing element is disposed on the helmet shell at least in portions in the region of the helmet-shell rim defining the face opening, and the visor in its protective position largely covering the face opening bears with its upper visor rim region on the sealing element.