PROTECTIVE HELMET

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a national phase filing under section 371 of PCT/EP2023/075135, filed Sep. 13, 2023, which claims the priority of German patent application no. 10 2022 123 348.0, filed Sep. 13, 2022, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a protective helmet.

BACKGROUND

Protective helmets, which are used in the military, in other security forces, in the fire brigade and other emergency services but also in factories and on construction sites, are primarily used to protect the wearer from mechanical risks of injury, e.g. from fragments or falling objects. As with other types of helmets, wearers with different head circumferences and shapes must be able to wear such protective helmets safely, at least in a certain region. In addition, the outer shell of the helmet is not in direct contact with the head of the wearer, but is supported at a distance from the head by a support arrangement such as a head support ring.

WO 2021/176061 A1 from the prior art discloses such a helmet for security forces with a circumferential head support ring. The helmet can be adjusted to different head sizes and shapes by altering the circumference of the head support ring. As the head support ring is circumferential, adjusting the circumference at a single point is sufficient for such an adjustment. The head support ring is then tensioned against the head to secure the helmet. The fact that the head support ring is circumferential also means that the force flow of the tensioning force flows to a substantial extent through the head support ring itself and not through the outer shell.

A disadvantage in providing a circumferential head support ring is the difficulty involved in providing removable earmuffs. This is because such earmuffs regularly have a support band that connects the two ear cups and is guided over the head. If a circumferential head support ring is used, it is not always possible to guide the support band of the earmuffs through the helmet and thus under the outer shell of the helmet. But even in cases where this can be achieved in theory, the result is a poor fit with inadequate adjustment.

SUMMARY

Embodiments provide a protective helmet which can be optionally used with earmuffs. Further embodiments provide a protective helmet with a good fit and good adjustability to different head shapes and dimensions.

Embodiments of the invention include the finding that a two-part support structure can be provided, in which a gap can be provided between the front and the rear part of the support structure for the support band to pass through. To adjust to the head shape and head size of the wearer, it is then sufficient to simply adjust part of the support structure using an adjustable tensioning device.

The proposed protective helmet has an outer shell for distributing impact forces. The proposed protective helmet also has a support structure for spaced-apart support of the outer shell on a head of a wearer of the protective helmet. In other words, the support structure ensures that the outer shell is supported on the head of the wearer at a distance from the head of the wearer.

The protective helmet can in particular be a military helmet, a combat helmet, a police helmet or a pilot helmet. Likewise, the helmet can be a fire helmet, a forestry helmet or a work safety helmet.

The proposed protective helmet is characterized in that the support structure is subdivided into a front support and a rear support arranged spaced apart from the front support. Both the front support and the rear support can have a multi-part design. A key feature is that there is a distance between the front support or all components of the front support and the rear support or all components of the rear support. The front support is preferably arranged spaced apart from the rear support along a longitudinal direction of the protective helmet. The longitudinal direction of the protective helmet corresponds to a line of sight of the wearer of the protective helmet.

The proposed protective helmet is further characterized in that the protective helmet has an adjustable tensioning device for exerting a tensioning force on the support structure and in that the tensioning device is configured so that a force flow of the tensioning force for fixing the outer shell on the head of the carrier flows substantially completely through the outer shell.

In other words, either the front support or the rear support, tensioned by the tensioning device, exerts a force on the head of the wearer, which presses the respective other support against the head of the wearer by means of a force flow via the outer shell. The outer shell is thus fixed on the head of the wearer at least in some directions. The fact that the force flow of the tensioning force flows substantially completely through the outer shell means in particular that no substantial part of the force flow between the rear support and the front support flows past the outer shell, as they are spaced apart from each other. In other words, the force flow cannot bypass the outer shell.

Finally, the proposed protective helmet is characterized in that the tensioning device is configured to vary the tensioning force by way of an adjustment. Varying the tensioning force by adjustment means here and hereinafter that the tensioning force can be altered by actuating the tensioning device and moving the tensioning device to a different configuration. Altering the tensioning force can relate both to its magnitude and alternatively or additionally its direction. A key feature is that no further components are added to the tensioning device or removed from it either, but rather merely the already existing components of the tensioning device are moved to a different arrangement. This adjustment of the tensioning force results in the protective helmet being adjusted to different shapes and sizes on heads of wearers. The tensioning device can be included in the support structure. However, the tensioning device can also be separate from the support structure.

One preferred embodiment of the protective helmet is characterized in that the tensioning device is configured to exert the tensioning force on the rear support. It is further preferred here that the rear support is configured to transmit the tensioning force via the outer shell to the front support. In this way, the force flow is closed. However, it may also be the case that the tensioning device is configured to exert the tensioning force on the front support.

Another preferred embodiment of the protective helmet is characterized in that the tensioning device is configured to exert a tensile force as tensioning force. It may also be the case that the tensioning device is configured to exert a thrust force as tensioning force.

According to one preferred embodiment of the protective helmet, it is provided that the support structure has a contact segment, which is hinged to the outer shell. The hinge itself does not have to be directly attached to the outer shell, but can also be indirectly attached to the outer shell. The contact segment is preferably part of the support structure, which in particular is in direct engagement with the head of the wearer of the protective helmet. The contact segment can be included in the front support or alternatively in the rear support. The position and/or orientation of the contact segment can be altered by the hinged connection of the contact segment, in particular for the purpose of adjustment to a head shape or head size. In principle, the hinged connection to the outer shell can be implemented in any way. Furthermore, it is preferable that the contact segment is elastic. This enables particularly good adjustment to a head shape of the wearer.

It is preferable that the contact segment is hinged to the outer shell via a swing arm, wherein the swing arm is preferably included in the support structure. Such a swing arm comprises an arm structure and at least one rotary joint, wherein the arm structure is pivotably mounted on the at least one rotary joint. The contact segment is arranged at the free end of the arm structure. The arm structure can comprise one or more arms, which can also be respectively forked. If there is a plurality of arms, these are preferably mounted on respectively separate rotary joints.

It may also be the case that the contact segment is hinged to the outer shell via a parallelogram. It is preferable that the support structure includes the parallelogram. Such a parallelogram comprises at least two offset arm structures, which are pivotably mounted on a respective rotary joint. As both arm structures are attached to the contact segment in an offset manner, the contact segment retains its orientation even when the arm structures are pivoted.

According to another preferred embodiment of the protective helmet, it is provided that the support structure has a displaceable guide arrangement, with which a contact segment of the support structure is mounted so as to be displaceable relative to the outer shell. The contact segment is preferably mounted so as to be displaceable substantially linearly relative to the outer shell. The guide arrangement can have a guide and a slider, which can be moved along the guide. It is preferable that the guide runs substantially along a longitudinal direction of the protective helmet.

One preferred embodiment of the protective helmet is characterized in that the tensioning device is connected to the contact segment. Furthermore, it may be the case that the tensioning device is attached to the outer shell either indirectly or directly. In particular, it may be the case that the tensioning device has two guide parts that are attached in an offset manner. Furthermore, it is preferable that the guide parts attached in an offset manner are moved relative to one another by adjusting the tensioning device. The tensioning device can be adjusted in particular by a knob.

In principle, the rear support can apply the tensioning force to the head of the wearer in any desired way. According to another preferred embodiment of the protective helmet, it is provided that the rear support is configured to grip the head substantially parallel to a rear edge of the outer shell. The rear support can thus push or pull the head of the wearer along a longitudinal direction, which is advantageous for a good fit of the helmet. A contact segment of the rear support is preferably responsible for gripping.

The tensioning device can also alter the position of the rear support or the front support. One preferred embodiment of the protective helmet is characterized in that the tensioning device is configured to adjust the rear support and preferably the contact segment in a longitudinal direction of the protective helmet by adjustment. This adjustment enables a more precise adjustment to the length of the head of the wearer. Alternatively or in addition, it may be the case that the tensioning device is configured to adjust the front support and preferably the contact segment in a longitudinal direction of the protective helmet by adjustment. This adjustment enables a more precise adjustment to the length of the head of the wearer.

Another preferred embodiment of the protective helmet is characterized in that the rear support and alternatively or additionally the front support is fixedly connected to the outer shell. This connection is not necessarily direct, but can also be established indirectly by a structure between the rear support or the front support and the outer shell.

Whilst, as already described, a length adjustment of the support structure preferably takes place by adjusting the rear support, a width adjustment is preferably achieved by adjusting the front support. Accordingly, according to one preferred embodiment of the protective helmet, it is provided that the protective helmet has an adjustment device for adjusting a width of the front support in a transverse direction of the protective helmet. The transverse direction of the protective helmet runs transversely to the longitudinal direction as well as horizontally.

One preferred embodiment of the protective helmet is characterized in that the front support is arranged substantially stationary relative to the outer shell with respect to a longitudinal direction of the protective helmet. The longitudinal adjustability of the rear support means that this longitudinal adjustability is not required for the front support, which simplifies the design.

Another preferred embodiment of the protective helmet is characterized in that the front support is substantially semicircular in shape and is arranged in a front region of the outer shell. In other words, the substantially semicircular front support runs along the likewise substantially semicircular and convex front region of the outer shell. It is further preferable here that the front support is attached to the outer shell in a central region of the semicircular shape. The end regions of the front support can thus be adjusted to adjust the width.

According to one preferred embodiment of the protective helmet, it is provided that the protective helmet has front straps for fastening the outer shell on the head. The front straps are preferably attached to the front support. The front straps are regularly guided to a chin area of the wearer and secured there. It is further preferable here that the front straps are attached to the front support on respective end regions of the semicircular shape. However, in principle, it is also possible that the protective helmet has front straps and these are attached to the outer shell.

According to another preferred embodiment of the protective helmet, it is provided that the rear support, preferably the contact segment, is substantially semicircular in shape and is arranged in a back of the head region of the outer shell. In other words, the substantially semicircular rear support or the contact segment runs along the likewise substantially semicircular and convex back of the head region of the outer shell. Particularly when the contact segment is included in the front support, it may also be the case that the contact segment is substantially semicircular in shape and is arranged in a front region of the outer shell.

One preferred embodiment of the protective helmet is characterized in that the protective helmet has rear straps for fastening the outer shell on the head. The rear straps are preferably attached to the rear support. The rear straps are also regularly guided to a chin area of the wearer and secured there. They can also be connected to the front straps there. However, in principle, it is also possible that the protective helmet has rear straps and these are attached to the outer shell.

Another preferred embodiment of the protective helmet is characterized in that the front support is arranged spaced apart from the rear support such that a hearing protection support of earmuffs can be guided under the outer shell and between the front support and the rear support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantageous and preferred embodiments will result from the following description with reference to the figures. In the drawing, which only shows exemplary embodiments:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view from below of a first exemplary embodiment of the proposed protective helmet;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view from the side of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view from below of a second exemplary embodiment of the proposed protective helmet;

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view from the side of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view from the side of a third exemplary embodiment of the proposed protective helmet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The protective helmet of the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a military helmet for soldiers. A support structure 2 is placed within the outer shell 1 and is subdivided into a front support 3 and a rear support 4, which are respectively arranged spaced apart from one another. The distance between the front support 3 and the rear support 4 is enough to pass the hearing protection support 23 of earmuffs 24 under the outer shell 1.

The rear support 4 has a substantially semicircular contact segment 5, which is connected to the outer shell 1 via a swing arm 6 of the support structure 2 consisting of two arms 7a, b and a respective rotary joint 8a, b. As shown in FIG. 1, the contact segment 5 grips a back of the head of the wearer substantially parallel to the rear edge 25 of the outer shell 1.

The front support 3 is for its part and as shown in FIG. 1 substantially semicircular in shape. The width of the front support 3 can be altered in a transverse direction 19 of the protective helmet. The enables adjustment to different head sizes and shapes in this region of the head. The front support 3 is arranged stationary relative to the outer shell 1 with respect to a longitudinal direction 14 of the protective helmet.

In addition, the protective helmet has a tensioning device 11, which for its part has two guide parts 12a, b, which are connected to the outer shell 1, and a knob 13, the adjustment of which allows the guide parts 12a, b to be moved relative to one another. Thanks to this adjustment and the resulting length contraction, the tensioning device 11 can exert a variable tensioning force and in particular a tensile force on the rear support 4. The guide parts 12a, b are connected to the contact segment 5 of the rear support 4. The contact segment 5 can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction 14 of the protective helmet by actuating the knob 13 until it engages with the back of the head of the wearer. FIGS. 1 and 2 show two different positions of the contact segment 5, one of which is shown by dashed lines. Further adjustment tensions the rear support 4 against the back of the head with variable tensioning force.

As the rear support 4 is spaced apart from the front support 3 and therefore not connected to it, the force flow caused by the tensioning force flows via the rear support 4 and the outer shell 1, then via the front support 2 to the front region of the head of the wearer.

Finally, the protective helmet has both front straps 21 and rear straps 22, which are respectively attached to the support structure 2.

The second exemplary embodiment of the proposed protective helmet shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 differs from the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the support structure 2 and particularly the rear support 4 has a guide arrangement 15 with a guide consisting of slide rails 16a, b as well as with sliders 17a, b that can be moved along the slide rails 16a, b. This guide arrangement 15 fulfils a similar functionality to the swing arm 6 of the first exemplary embodiment, by enabling here the contact segment 5 to be linearly displaced relative to the outer shell 1. FIGS. 3 and 4 also show two different positions of the contact segment 5, one of which is shown by dashed lines. The tensioning device 11 is illustrated schematically. Otherwise, the protective helmet of the second exemplary embodiment corresponds to that of the first exemplary embodiment.

The third exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in turn differs from the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the support structure 2 comprises a parallelogram 18, to which the contact segment 5 is attached. The parallelogram 18 consists of two offset arm structures with respectively two and therefore a total of four arms 7a, b, two of which are shown in FIG. 5, which are pivotably mounted on a respective rotary joint 8a, b, two of which are likewise shown. The tensioning device 11 of this exemplary embodiment is illustrated schematically.