US20260013591A1

US20260013591A1 - Attachment device for attaching an accessory to the shell of a protective helmet

Info

Publication number: US20260013591A1
Application number: US19/264,423
Authority: US
Inventors: Pier Franco UZZENI
Original assignee: U Power Group SpA
Current assignee: U Power Group SpA
Priority date: 2024-07-10
Filing date: 2025-07-09
Publication date: 2026-01-15
Also published as: EP4678050A1

Abstract

An attachment device for attaching an accessory to a shell of a protective helmet is described, the shell comprising a shell body and a functional band around at least one front part and/or rear part of the shell body. The functional band comprises a central wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, and an attachment seat formed by an opening in the upper wall and in the lower wall. The attachment device comprises an upper portion from which a flat central stem and two lateral prongs inclined with respect to the plane defined by the central stem extend. The central stem has, at its free end, an foot extending in a direction perpendicular to the central stem and configured to engage with the opening in the lower wall.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the sector of protective helmets for work or sports use. In particular, the present invention relates to an attachment device for detachably attaching an accessory to the shell of a protective helmet.

PRIOR ART

As is known, protective helmets are used in various fields, both at work and in sports. Protective helmets are normally used by workers who perform activities in environments where there is a potential risk of the head of the worker being exposed to knocks or impacts (for example, building site workers, firefighters, etc.). Protective helmets are also used in a sporting environment for example by cyclists, skiers, hikers or rock climbers.
A protective helmet typically comprises a cap which forms the protective shell provided by the helmet in the event of knocks or impacts resulting from external objects.
The shell may be closed or open. In this latter case it typically comprises openings for allowing ventilation.
Furthermore, depending on the conditions of use, it is known to use the protective helmet with accessories, such as a sunshield, a protective visor for the face, anti-noise earmuffs, a torch, reflective elements, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Applicant has examined closely the known shells and in particular has examined the solutions for attaching in a detachable manner one or more accessories to a shell of a protective helmet.
In particular, the Applicant has defined the aim of developing a practical, efficient and sturdy solution for attaching in a detachable manner one or more accessories to a shell of a protective helmet.
More particularly, the Applicant has defined the aim of developing a solution for attaching in a detachable manner one or more accessories to a shell of a protective helmet also when the helmet is being worn by the user, so as to increase the safety and avoid situations where a person is not protected by the helmet.
In the continuation of the present description and the claims, the expression “functional band” (or also simply “band”) will be understood as meaning an elongated component present on the outer surface of the shell and shaped so as to follow the curvature of the said shell. This component may consist of a single piece or may comprise one or more portions made as separate parts and configured to be associated with the shell. The functional band of the shell according to the present invention may have, fixed thereto, one or more accessories with given functions for example, as mentioned above, a sunshield, a protective visor for the face, anti-noise earmuffs, a front lamp, reflective elements, etc. These accessories therefore ensure that the shell is able to satisfy given requirements depending on one or more accessories which are fixed to it.
A shell with functional band is described in the patent application IT102022000023316 in the name of the same Applicant.
The device according to the present invention is configured to engage with the functional band of a shell in a lower part and an upper part thereof. The device according to the invention is able to allow an accessory to be firmly attached to the functional band and therefore to the shell of the helmet.
According to a first aspect, the present invention provides an attachment device for attaching an accessory to a shell of a protective helmet, the shell comprising a shell body and a functional band around at least one front part and/or rear part of the shell body, wherein the functional band comprises a central wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, wherein the functional band comprises an attachment seat formed by an opening in the upper wall and in the lower wall of the functional band, wherein the attachment device comprises:

- an upper portion from which a flat central stem and two lateral prongs inclined with respect to the plane defined by the central stem extend, wherein the central stem has, at its free end, a foot extending in a direction perpendicular to the central stem and configured to engage with the opening in the lower wall.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the foot comprises a projecting portion configured, when the foot engages with the opening in the lower, to abut against the external edge of said opening.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the attachment device also comprises a lug for disengaging the opening in the lower wall during release of the device,
According to these embodiments of the present invention, the lug projects downwards and has, on one of its sides, a surface inclined with respect to the plane defined by the central stem.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the attachment device comprises, along its upper portion, fixing means for fixing the attachment device to an accessory to be attached to the functional band.
According to these embodiments of the present invention, the fixing means comprise a threaded hole configured to house a screw for fixing the attachment device to said accessory.
According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a protective helmet comprising a shell comprising in turn a shell body and a functional band around at least a front part and/or a rear part of the shell body, wherein the functional band comprises a central wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, wherein the functional band comprises an attachment seat formed by an opening in the upper wall and in the lower wall of the functional band, the protective helmet also comprising an attachment device as described above, fixed to the functional band.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description, provided purely by way of a non-limiting example, to be read with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are axonometric views of an attachment device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an axonometric view of a badge holder fixed to the attachment device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b schematically show the step of attaching to the functional band the badge holder with the attachment device according to FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 schematically shows a number of attachment devices according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 schematically shows the step of attaching to the functional band the devices shown in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 is an axonometric view of a visor to which two attachment devices are fixed; and

FIG. 7 shows a portion of the visor of FIG. 6 during attachment to the functional band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

As mentioned above, a shell with functional band is described in the patent application IT102022000023316 in the name of the same Applicant.
In the present description a detailed description of the shell and the functional band will be omitted, and instead only a description of the features which are of importance for the purposes of the present invention will be provided.
The present invention can be used with a shell for a protective helmet which comprises a functional band for fixing to the said shell one or more accessories depending on the situation for which the protective helmet is used. Said band is an elongated component present on the outer surface of the shell and shaped so as to follow the curvature of the said shell. In particular, the band is preferably positioned close to the bottom edge of the shell and is completed so as to form a perimetral ring close to said bottom edge of the shell.
The shell comprises a shell body having a substantially rigid protective outer surface. The shell body is suitable for being arranged, at least partially, on the head of a user.
The functional band may be made as one piece with the shell body or may comprise one or more portions made as pieces separate from the shell body and configured to be firmly associated with the said shell.
According to some embodiments, the band comprises a first portion fixed to the front part of the shell body and a second portion fixed to the rear part of the shell body. The two portions of the band which are situated in the front part and rear part of the shell both have an elongated arch shape. According to these embodiments, these two portions of the band are made as parts separate from the body of the shell and then fixed thereto. They may for example be fixed at a surface recess formed in the body of the shell. The band is completed by two side portions which are situated on both sides of the shell body: in particular they are portions of the shell body projecting outwards so that the thickness of said side portions corresponds substantially to the thickness of the front and rear portions of the band.
The attached figures show an example of a shell 1. The shell 1 comprises a shell body 2 and a functional band 3. The functional band 3 preferably comprises a first band portion 3 a positioned in the front part of the shell, a second band position 3 b positioned in the rear part of the shell; the band 3 further comprises a first side band portion 3 c and a second side band portion 3 d at a left-hand side part of the shell 1 and right-hand side part of the shell 1, respectively, which are integral with the shell body 2. The shell body 2 is shaped so as to receive at least partially the head of a user. Once the shell is worn by the user, the front part of the shell 1, and therefore the first band portion 3 a, is situated in the front region of the user's head, while the rear part of the shell 1 is situated in the occipital region of the user's head; the first side portion 3 c of the functional band 3 and the second side portion 3 d of the functional band 3 are instead situated, respectively, opposite the left-hand ear and the right-hand ear of the user.
According to one embodiment, the shell body 2 (which comprises the side portions 3 c and 3 d of the functional band 3), the first band portion 3 a and the second band portion 3 b are made as separate parts. They are preferably made of a substantially rigid thermoplastic material, for example polypropylene or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). The first band portion 3 a and the second band portion 3 b may have a thickness of between 2 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 2 mm and 5 mm, and a width preferably of between 10 mm and 30 mm. The shell body 2 is also preferably made of a substantially rigid thermoplastic material, for example polypropylene or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).
The first band portion 3 a and the second band portion 3 b are fixed to the shell body 2. Fixing may be performed by means of suitable fastening means, such as screws or pins, and/or by means of gluing and/or welding. For example, the first band portion 3 a and the second band portion 3 b may comprise, on an inner surface thereof, a number of pins suitable for engaging inside corresponding holes formed in the shell structure 2.
The functional band 3 preferably comprises one or more openings 35 made in an upper wall 33 thereof and one of more openings 37 made in a lower wall 34 thereof, said openings forming corresponding attachment seats for the attachment device 5 according to the present invention, allowing therefore the shell 1 to be provided with one or more accessories. Each attachment seat is formed as a channel 36 realized in the thickness of the functional band 3 starting from the corresponding opening 35, 37 formed in the upper wall or lower wall of the said band. In the functional band shown in the figures, a pair of corresponding attachment seats (namely in corresponding positions in the upper wall and in the lower wall) preferably communicate with each other. In particular, two corresponding seats communicate via a single channel formed in the thickness of the functional band. In this case, the two corresponding attachment seats, formed in the upper wall and in the lower wall of the band, form a through-slot. Advantageously, the seats communicate with each other to avoid the accumulation of dust or debris and stagnating water. Furthermore, cleaning with water is facilitated since the water passes through the top seat and drains out from the bottom seat.
FIGS. 1 a and 1 b show an embodiment of the attachment device 4 according to the present invention. The attachment device 4 comprises an upper portion 41 from which a flat central stem 42 and two inclined lateral prongs 43 extend. The two lateral prongs 43 have a length the same as or smaller than that of the central stem 42. The central stem 42 has substantially flat faces and extends along a vertical direction. The two lateral prongs 43 preferably have flat faces and are preferably inclined with respect to the plane defined by the central stem 42.
The attachment device 4 is for example made of thermoplastic material.
The upper portion 41 preferably comprises fixing elements which allow the attachment device to be fixed to an accessory to be attached to the shell. In particular, according to the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b , the upper portion 41 comprises a threaded hole 44. Moreover, the upper portion comprises, on the sides of the hole, two pins 45. The threaded hole 44 and the two pins 45 have the function of fixing to the attachment device an accessory, such as a badge holder or a visor, as will be described below.
According to alternative embodiments, depending on the type of accessory to be fixed to the shell, the attachment device may also be made as a single body with said accessory, as will be described below. In this case, the attachment device does not comprise any fixing element.
The central stem 42 terminates, at its free end, in a foot 46 extending substantially in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the said central stem 42. The foot 46 extends over a length substantially the same as that of the upper portion 41. The foot 46 comprises a projecting portion 46 a which projects, with respect to a face of the central stem 42, in the opposite direction to the direction of inclination of the prongs 43. The foot 46 is configured so as to engage with an attachment seat of the functional band at the opening 37 formed in the lower wall 34 of the functional band of the helmet, as will be described below.
According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b , a lug 47 protrudes downwards from the foot 46. The lug 47 has, on one of its sides, a surface 47 a inclined with respect to the plane defined by the central stem 42. Preferably, on the opposite side, the lug 47 has a substantially flat surface 47 b. The inclined surface 47 a is located underneath the foot 46.
The lug 47 has the function of disengaging the foot from the opening 37 (during release of the device). The lug 47 has dimensions such that it may be operated by the user using even only one finger, for example the thumb.
FIG. 2 shows, by way of example, an attachment device 4 fixed to a badge holder 5. Alternatively, the attachment device 4 may be formed as a single body with the badge holder 5. FIG. 3 a shows a shell 1 of a protective helmet with functional band 3 and a badge holder 5 during attachment to the functional band 3 by means of the attachment device 4. FIG. 3 b shows the same shell 1 after attachment of the badge-holder device 5.
The connection between the attachment device 4 shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b and the badge holder 5 may be performed by means of a screw screwed into the hole 44 of the attachment device 4. In addition or alternatively, pins 45 may be used, these being able to be inserted into corresponding recesses present in the badge holder. The connection between the attachment device 4 and the badge holder 5 is performed so that the prongs 43 are inclined in the opposite direction to the side of the device 4 fixed to the badge holder 5, namely during attachment of the device 4 to the shell 2 by means of the functional band 3, towards the surface of the shell body.
In order to attach the badge holder 5 to the functional band 3, the foot 46 is inserted into the opening 35 of the functional band 3 formed in the upper wall 33 of the functional band itself. During this step, the badge holder 5 with the attachment device 4 is inclined outwards so as to facilitate insertion of the foot 46, in particular of its projecting portion 46 a, inside the opening 35.
With the foot 46 inserted inside the opening 35, the attachment device 4 is fitted into the attachment seat and rotated towards the shell until the projecting portion 46 a of the foot 46 engages with the opening 37 and abuts against the external edge of the said opening, so as to prevent the foot 46 from coming out of the opening 37. The prongs 43 in turn rest against the wall of the shell body after the foot 46 is inserted inside the opening 35 and are subject to a thrust in the direction opposite to that of inclination of the prongs themselves when the foot 46 is then inserted into the opening 37. Owing to the elastic reaction of the material of the prongs 43, which opposes the aforementioned thrust, they therefore provide further resistance to the extraction of the attachment device 4 from the attachment seat in the functional band. The engagement of the foot 46 (in particular, of the projecting portion 46 a) in the opening 37 and the elastic reaction of the prongs against the wall of the shell body results in particular solid and reliable attachment of the device.
The attachment operation may also be performed while the user is wearing the helmet. It is not necessary for the user to remove the helmet.
With a substantially opposite movement, the user is able to release badge holder 5 with the attachment device 4 from the functional band 3 and therefore from the shell 1 of the helmet. For the release operation, the user may press (also using only one finger) against the lug 47. Pressing the lug 47 inwards, the foot 46 (in particular its projecting portion 46 a) disengages from the opening 37. The user may thus easily lift the badge holder and detach it from the functional band.
By way of example, FIG. 4 shows four attachment devices 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, 4 d according to another embodiment of the invention, which are provided with an upwardly directed extension 48 which is in turn provided with a slot 49. These devices are attached to the functional band 3 at four different attachment seats along the band. In the specific case, the slot 49 may serve for insertion of a strip (which may be elastic) of a torch or a protective mask. The strip may, for example, be used to identify the worker or signal the presence of the said worker.
FIG. 5 illustrates attachment of the devices according to FIG. 4 . Each of them is engaged with or disengaged from the functional band 3 in a manner similar to that already described with reference to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b.
The attachment device 4 according to the invention may also be advantageously used for attaching a visor 6 to the shell 1 of a helmet.
FIG. 6 shows a visor 6 for a protective helmet. The visor 6 comprises a frame 61 and a protective shield 62, for example made of a transparent material such as Plexiglass® or the like.
The visor 6 can be angularly adjusted from a lowered (protection) position into a raised position. For angular adjustment, two hinged swivel joints 7 are provided at the two ends of the frame 61. Each hinged swivel joint 7 is configured to be coupled with an attachment device 4 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 . In particular, the attachment device 4 may be fixed to the swivel joint 7 by means of a screw which engages inside the hole 44, as shown in FIG. 6 . The pins 45 may engage inside respective recesses formed in the swivel joint 7.
FIG. 7 illustrates attachment of the visor 6 with the attachment device 4 to the functional band 3. The attachment device 4 is engaged with or disengaged from the functional band 3 in a manner similar to that already described with reference to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b.
Advantageously, by means of this type of attachment, the swivel joint 7 does not tend to become loose even when it is subject to frequent rotations and prolonged use over time.

Claims

1. An attachment device for attaching an accessory to a shell of a protective helmet, the shell (comprising a shell body and a functional band around at least one front and/or rear part of the shell body, wherein the functional band comprises a central wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, wherein the functional band comprises an attachment seat formed by an opening in the upper wall and in the lower wall of the functional band,

wherein the attachment device comprises an upper portion from which a flat central stem and two lateral prongs inclined with respect to the plane defined by the central stem extend, wherein the central stem has, at its free end, an foot extending in a direction perpendicular to the central stem and configured to engage with the opening in the lower wall,

wherein the attachment device further comprises a lug protruding downwards from the foot for disengaging the opening in the lower wall during release of the device.

2. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the foot comprises a projecting portion configured, when the foot engages with the opening in the lower wall, to abut against the external edge of the opening.

3. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the lug has, on one of its sides, a surface inclined with respect to the plane defined by the central stem.

4. The attachment device according to claim 1, comprising, along its upper portion, fixing means for fixing said attachment device to an accessory to be attached to the functional band.

5. The attachment device according to claim 4, wherein said fixing means comprise a threaded hole configured to house a screw for fixing said attachment device to said accessory.

6. A protective helmet comprising a shell comprising in turn a shell body and a functional band around at least one front part and/or rear part of the shell body, wherein the functional band comprises a central wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, wherein the functional band comprises an attachment seat formed by an opening in the upper wall and in the lower wall of the functional band, the protective helmet further comprising an attachment device according to claim 1 fixed to the functional band.