APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING DEVICE FOR HELMET

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of priority and is a Continuation application of the prior International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2024/032133, with an international filing date of Sep. 9, 2024, which designated the United States, and is related to the Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-149715, filed Sep. 15, 2023, the entire disclosures of all applications are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus for attaching a device for a helmet capable of easily attaching and supporting electronic and electrical devices such as a lighting device, a camera, a communication device and the like to a helmet and securely holding the device without easily detaching due to head movements accompanying body motion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, in various operations at construction sites, disaster sites and other locations, wearing a helmet or the like to protect the body, particularly the head, has been mandated. Furthermore, when used, for example, at night or in dark places, a lighting device and the like are often attached to the helmet to illuminate the forward area and improve work efficiency.

For attaching the lighting device and the like to the helmet, a flashlight mounting band shown in Patent Document 1, a helmet capable of mounting an auxiliary device shown in Patent Document 2 and an exterior member holder for a helmet shown in Patent Document 3 have been proposed, for example. In the band of Patent Document 1, an appropriate number of locking holes for detachably mounting the flashlight are provided on a band that surrounds the outer periphery of the helmet. In the helmet of Patent Document 2, a snap upper part attached to a cord body of a light is fitted to a snap lower part provided on a helmet body. In the holder of Patent Document 3, a band is inserted and fixed between holders arranged at the left and right edges of the helmet, and an exterior member such as an LED lamp is supported on the band.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. H7-33944

Patent Document 2: Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3113718

Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent No. 7054894

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

However, in the conventionally proposed band of Patent Document 1, since the band merely surrounds the outer periphery of the helmet, the band may shift on the outer periphery of the helmet and may detach from the helmet when the band shifts toward the narrowed top side. Therefore, a separate fastener is required to fix the band itself around the lower portion of the helmet. Furthermore, in the helmet of Patent Document 2, even if a through-hole for inserting a mounting screw is provided in the helmet body to fix the snap lower part to the helmet itself, it is extremely difficult to drill a through-hole in the helmet body, which is originally made of a robust material. Moreover, since it is necessary to attach the snap upper part to the cord of the light, this processing itself is also troublesome.

Furthermore, in the holder of Patent Document 3, it is necessary to firmly fix the holder to the edge of the helmet and it is necessary to insert and lock the band to the holder for inserting and locking the band to the holder. Thus, the work of inserting and locking the band to the holder is troublesome.

The present invention is created in view of the various conventional circumstances described above, and the present invention provides an apparatus for attaching various devices for a helmet capable of easily attaching and supporting the various devices to the helmet securely so that the various devices can be used stably and safely when wearing the helmet.

Means for Solving the Problems

To solve the above-described problems, the present invention is an apparatus for attaching a device T for a helmet for attaching the device T to the helmet by spanning a support belt 20 that supports the device T between base portions 2 provided on left and right outer side surfaces of a helmet body 1 via a clip 10 that is configured to be engaged with the base portions 2, wherein the base portions 2, 32 include locking portions 3, 33 provided to receive a force opposite to a load applied in a support direction of the device T, and the clip 10 includes a hook portion 12 that is configured to be locked in the locking portions 3, 33 and a connecting portion 13 that is connected to the support belt 20.

The base portions 2, 32 may be opened in a lateral direction of the helmet body 1, a locking portion 3 may be formed at an opening edge of the base portions 2, 32, and the hook portion 12 of the clip 10 may be configured to be locked in the locking portions 3, 33 of the base portions 2 so as to be pivotable.

The base portions 2 may be formed in a recessed shape and may be provided at least at one of a front portion of the helmet body 1 and a rear portion of the helmet body 1.

In the clip 10, the hook portion 12 configured to be engaged and locked in the locking portion 3 of the base portions 2 and the connecting portion 13 that is connected to the support belt 20 may be connected to a clip body 11 configured to be arranged at an opening edge of the base portions 2.

A stopper 14 configured to be engaged with an engaging portion 4 provided on an outer side surface of the base portions 2 may be provided on an inner side surface of the connecting portion 13.

The base portions 32 may include the locking portion 3, 33 provided to receive the force opposite to the load applied in the support direction of the device T and an engaging portions 4, 34 protruded at a rearward direction of the locking portion 3, 33 in the support direction of the device T, and the clip 10 may include the hook portion 12 that is configured to be locked in the locking portions 3, 33, a stopper 14 configured to be engaged with the engaging portion 4, 34 and the connecting portion 13 that is connected to the support belt 20.

The locking portion 33 and the engaging portion 34 of the base portions 32 may be integrally formed in a state that back portions of the locking portion 32 and the engaging portion 33 are joined together to have a substantially inverted trapezoidal shape in a cross-section, and the hook portion 12 of the clip 10 and the stopper 14 may be configured to be forcibly fitted with each other to cover the locking portion 33 and the engaging portion 34.

The hook portion 12 of the clip 10 may be configured to be locked in the locking portions 3, 33 so as to be pivotable, and the stopper 14 may be configured to be engaged with the engaging portion 4, 34 so as to be pivotable by a pivoting operation of the clip 10.

The base portions 32 may be protruded in a strip-like manner along a front-rear direction on the left and right outer side surfaces of the helmet body 1, and the locking portion 33 and the engaging portion 34 are provided at least at one of the front portion and the rear portion of the base portions 32.

In the apparatus for attaching the device for the helmet according to the present invention configured as described above, the device T is attached and supported by engaging the clip 10 provided at the end of the support belt 20 supporting the device T with the base portions 2, 32 of the helmet body 1 when attaching and supporting various devices T to the helmet body 1.

Since the base portions 2, 32 are formed in the recessed shape, head protection by the helmet body 1 becomes safer. Various devices T can be supported on the front surface, the rear surface or both front and rear surfaces of the helmet body 1 by selecting the front portion or the rear portion of the helmet body 1.

When the clip 10 is engaged with the base portions 2, 32, the locking portions 3, 33 of the base portions 2, 32 are provided to receive the force opposite to the load applied in the support direction of the device T. Thus, the support by the clip 10 is reliable against the load of the device T along the support direction and the like.

Furthermore, the hook portion 12 of the clip 10 is locked in the locking portions 3, 33 of the base portions 2, 32 and the clip 10 is pivoted with the hook portion 12 as a fulcrum to push the clip 10 toward the helmet body 1 side. Thus, the stopper 14 is engaged with the engaging portion 4,34 and the clip 10 is fixed to the base portions 2.

Since the locking portion 33 and the engaging portion 34 are integrally formed with an inverted trapezoidal shape in a cross-section and arranged at the front and rear in the support direction, the clip 10 having the hook portion 12 that is engaged with the locking portion 33 and the stopper 14 that is engaged with the engaging portion 34 fits more firmly to the base portions 2 so as to cover the locking portion 33 and the engaging portion 34.

The connecting portion 13 of the clip 10 is connected to the support belt 20 and the support belt 20 can be spanned between the base portions 2, 32 provided on the front portion and the rear portion of the left and right of the helmet body 1 via a clip 10 by engaging the clip 10 at each end of the support belt 20 with the base portions 2. Thus, various devices T supported by the support belt 20 can be arranged on the front surface or rear surface of the helmet body 1.

Effects of the Invention

Since the present invention is configured as described above, various devices T such as a lighting device can be easily and securely arranged and supported on the front surface of the helmet body 1 by the support belt 20 spanned between the base portions 2, 32 on the left and right of the helmet body 1. Thus, the device T can be stably and safely used when wearing the helmet.

Namely, in the present invention, the device T is attached by engaging the clip with the base portions 2 provided on the left and right of the helmet body 1 and spanning the support belt 20, wherein the base portions 2, 32 include the locking portions 3, 33 provided to receive the force opposite to the load applied in the support direction of the device T, and the clip 10 includes the hook portion 12 that is configured to be locked in the locking portions 3, 33 and the connecting portion 13 that is connected to the support belt 20. Because of this, the clip 10 can be attached and detached to/from the base portions 2, 32 by the pivoting operation, the support belt 20 can be spanned and fixed to the front surface or the rear surface of the helmet body 1 between the clips 10, and the device T can be securely supported by the support belt 20.

Furthermore, in the base portions 2, 32, when the hook portion 12 of the clip 10 is locked in the locking portion 3, 33 provided to receive the force opposite to the load applied in the support direction of the device T attached, for example, to the front or rear of the helmet body 1, the force due to the load of the device T and the like is received and securely supported. Furthermore, the clip 10 is pivoted with the hook portion 12 as a fulcrum, and the pivoting operation is easy since the clip 10 is pivoted in the direction along the front-rear direction of the helmet body 1. Thus, the device T is not detached from the helmet body 1.

Since the base portions 2, 32 have a recessed shape, the base portions 2, 32 can completely cover the head wearing the helmet body 1 and the head can be completely protected.

Since the base portions 2 are provided at least at one of the front portion and the rear portion of the helmet body 1, the support belt 20 can be positioned on either the front surface or the rear surface of the helmet body 1 to support the device T. Therefore, when the base portions 2 are provided at both the front and rear portions of the helmet body 1, the front or rear surface of the helmet body 1 can be selected to support the device T. Furthermore, the lighting device can be supported on the front surface and the power source can be supported on the rear surface to improve usability, for example.

When the clip 10 engaged with the base portions 2, 32 is pivoted with the hook portion 12 as a fulcrum so as to be pushed toward the helmet body 1, the stopper 14 on the inner side surface of the connecting portion 13 of the clip 10 is engaged with the engaging portion 4 provided on the outer side surface of the base portions 2 or with the engaging portion 34 formed at the back of the locking portion 33, and the clip 10 can be firmly fixed to the base portions 2 by the hook portion 12 and the stopper 14. Thus, detachment due to external impact or the like is prevented and stable attachment state is maintained.

The base portions 32 protruded in a strip-like manner along the front-rear direction on the left and right side portions of the helmet body 1 have the locking portion 33 and the engaging portion 34 provided at least at one of the front portion and the rear portion of the base portions 32. Thus, the device T can be supported at either the front or rear, and the side portions of the helmet body 1 can be reinforced while neatly arranging and forming the locking portion 33 and the engaging portion 34.

Note that the reference numerals appended in the sections of the means for solving the problems and the effects of the invention are provided to facilitate reference to the parts showing the respective components described in the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the structures and shapes shown by the descriptions and the reference numerals in the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part in an attached and supported state according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part when detaching according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view when a lighting device is attached according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view in the second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are exploded perspective views in the third embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 6A is viewed from the front of the helmet body. FIG. 6B is viewed from the rear of the helmet body.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part according to the present invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views of a main part in an attached and supported state according to the present invention. FIG. 8A is at the front portion of the base portion. FIG. 8B is at the rear portion of the base portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 show the first embodiment. Reference numeral 1 shown in the figures is a helmet body. The helmet body 1 has a cushioning member (not illustrated) arranged along the inner peripheral side surface so as to softly contact the head surface when worn on the head, and ventilation holes and the like are provided as needed. Note that the helmet body 1 in the present invention is not limited to the helmet body formed from rigid materials, and includes the helmet body other than general helmets as long as the helmet body can be worn on the head and can be similarly configured and used.

The base portions 2 for connecting and supporting a support belt 20 described later, which is spanned on the front surface of the helmet body 1, are provided at the left and right portions (e.g., the left and right portions of the front surface portion) of the helmet body 1. The base portions 2 are formed to protrude from the helmet body 1 at the left and right side portions of the helmet body 1 in a substantially triangular shape that is wide on the lateral portions of the helmet body 1 when viewed in a plan view. The wide portion of the base portions 2 is formed with an opening. A locking portion 3 is provided at the inner edge of the opening facing the helmet body 1 side to receive a force opposite to a load applied in a support direction of the device T.

In the locking portion 3, to receive the force opposite to the load applied in the support direction of the device T is to provide the locking portion 3 so as to receive the force generated in opposition to the load applied in the support direction of the device T, and is also to provide the locking portion 3 so as to protrude in the support direction of the device T (i.e., opposite direction).

The locking portion 3 is provided, for example, in a bent shape from the opening edge, and forms a gap between the locking portion 3 and the side surface of the helmet body 1 to the extent that the hook portion 12 of the clip 10 described later can be forcibly inserted. Although not illustrated, the locking portion 3 is not limited to being formed in a convex shape and may be formed in a concave shape as long as reliable locking with the clip 10 is achieved. The shape of the locking portion 3 is not particularly limited. The same applies to the third embodiment described later.

Note that the support direction of the device T is the direction toward the rear or front since the device T is mainly supported on the front surface or the rear surface of the helmet body 1. However, when the device T is supported in the left and right side portions, the support direction corresponds to that direction.

Note the base portions 2 may be configured as a recessed shape without communicating with the interior of the helmet body 1, or may be configured to communicate with the interior of the helmet body 1. However, safety when worn can be ensured by configuring the base portions 2 not to communicate with the interior of the helmet body 1.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, when the base portions 2 are provided at the front portion of the helmet body 1 and arranged on the left and right of the front portion, the locking portion 3 in the opening protrudes toward the rear. Thus, the support belt 20 can be arranged on the front surface of the helmet body 1 and the device T can be supported on the front surface of the helmet body 1. Alternatively, as shown in the second embodiment in FIG. 5, when the base portions 2 is provided at the rear portion of the helmet body 1 and arranged on the left and right of the rear portion, the locking portion 3 in the opening protrudes toward the front. Thus, the support belt 20 can be arranged on the rear surface of the helmet body 1 and the device T can be supported on the rear surface of the helmet body 1.

Namely, the base portions 2 are provided at least at one of the front portion and the rear portion of the helmet body 1. Furthermore, when the base portions 2 are arranged at the front portion and the rear portion of the helmet body 1, the support position can be selected depending on the device T to improve usability.

On the outer surface of the opening of the base portions 2, an engaging portion 4 having, for example, a vertically elongated rib shape is provided along the opening, and the engaging portion 4 is at a position rearward along the support direction of the device T with respect to the locking portion 3.

The left and right clips 10 are configured to be engaged with the left and right base portions 2 so that the support belt 20 for supporting a predetermined device T is spanned between the base portions 2. In the clip 10, a hook portion 12 configured to be engaged with and locked in the locking portion 3 of the base portions 2 is connected to a clip body 11 arranged at the opening edge of the base portions 2 and a connecting portion 13 is also connected to the clip body 11 so as to face the hook portion 12 for connecting the support belt 20.

The portion of the clip body 11 is formed in a substantially shallow groove shape so as to cover the inner and outer side surfaces of the opening edge of the base portions 2. However, the clip body 11 is formed integrally with the hook portion 12 having a hook shape as shown in the figures.

The hook portion 12 can be firmly and even forcibly engaged with the locking portion 3 provided at the inner edge of the opening of the base portions 2. The inner side surface of the locking portion 3 has an arc shape when viewed in a plan view. The hook portion 12 itself also has an arc shape when viewed in a plan view. When the hook portion 12 is inserted into the base portions 2, the locking portion 3 and the hook portion 12 are tightly engaged with each other at the contact surface. Thus, the clip 10 itself can swing with the hook portion 12 as a fulcrum.

In the illustrated example, the connecting portion 13 is formed in a substantially C-shape when viewed from the front. Thus, even when the end of the support belt 20 is formed in a tubular shape or even when the end of the support belt 20 is formed simply in a strip shape for the connection by folding back the end of the support belt 20, the support belt 20 can be connected and fixed in either manner. Note that it is enough if the support belt 20 can be connected by using the connecting portion 13. The shape of the connecting portion 13 is not particularly limited.

On the inner side surface of the connecting portion 13, the stopper 14 having a rib shape is provided so that the stopper 14 is engaged with the engaging portion 4 provided on the outer side surface of the base portions 2. Since the stopper 14 is engaged with the engaging portion 4 when the clip 10 itself is swung toward the base portions 2 side with the hook portion 12 as a fulcrum and the hook portion 12 is inserted and locked in the base portions 2, the detachment of the clip 10 itself from the base portions 2 is prevented.

Therefore, the length from the opening edge surface to the rear edge surface of the engaging portion 4 is not greater than the length from the inner side surface of the clip body 11 to the rear edge surface of the stopper 14 in the clip 10. The rear edge surface of the engaging portion 4 and the rear edge surface of the stopper 14 are configured to be firmly engaged with each other. If necessary, concave-convex fitting means can be formed, for example.

The support belt 20 is formed in a strip shape with a predetermined width. The device T is supported by the support belt 20 by, for example, inserting the support belt 20 through a belt fixing portion provided on a lighting device, a camera or the other various devices (e.g., left and right slits formed on the back surface of the device T). Note that the end of the support belt 20 is connected to the connecting portion 13 of the clip 10 and the support belt 20 itself is formed to have a length so that a tensioned state is maintained when the clip 10 is engaged with each of the left and right base portions 2 of the helmet body 1. Although not illustrated, an adjustment portion for adjusting the length of the support belt 20 itself may be provided.

Next, an example of usage will be explained. The device T such as a lighting device to be supported on the helmet body 1 is preliminarily attached to the support belt 20, and the clip 10 connected to the end of the support belt 20 is forcibly engaged with the base portions 2 of the helmet body 1. Alternatively, a predetermined device T is attached to the support belt 20 spanned between the base portions 2 via the clip 10.

In order to engage the clip 10 with the base portions 2, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the hook portion 12 of the clip 10 is locked in the locking portion 3 of the base portions 2 and pushed into the base portions 2, the clip 10 is swung with the hook portion 12 as a fulcrum, and the connecting portion 13 is pressed against the helmet body 1 side. Since the clip 10 is pushed, the stopper 14 of the connecting portion 13 is forcibly engaged with the engaging portion 4 of the base portions 2. Because of the above described engagement, the clip 10 can be firmly engaged with the base portions 2, and the device T can be arranged and set on the front surface and the like of the helmet body 1 by the support belt 20.

The clip 10 can be removed by swinging the connecting portion 13 of the clip 10 from the surface of the helmet body 1 with the hook portion 12 as a fulcrum to raise the clip and removing the hook portion 12 from the base portions 2.

FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 show the third embodiment. As illustrated, a locking portion 33 is formed on the outer side of the opening edge of a recess 31 of the side opening provided at the front and rear ends of the base portions 32 having a stepped shape protruded in a strip-like manner along the front-rear direction on the left and right side portions of the helmet body 1 so as to receive the force opposite to the load applied in the support direction of the device T, and the engaging portion 34 is arranged and formed at the back, which is the rearward position of the locking portion 33.

As illustrated, the recess 31 itself is positioned at the front and rear ends of the protruded portion of the base portions 32 and is recessed long in the vertical direction toward the inside of the helmet body 1 to exhibit a substantially trapezoidal shape in cross-section, and the opening faces the side of the helmet body 1. The locking portion 33 is formed on the outer side of the opening of the recess 31 and protruded toward the rear of the helmet body 1 in the recess 31 located at the front portion of the helmet body 1, Alternatively, the locking portion 33 is protruded toward the front of the helmet body 1 in the recess 31 located at the rear portion of the helmet body 1.

As shown in FIG. 8, the engaging portion 34 arranged at the back of the locking portion 33 is formed on the outer side of the end edge surface of the base portions 32 and protruded toward the front of the helmet body 1 at the front portion of the helmet body 1. Furthermore, the engaging portion 34 is protruded toward the rear of the helmet body 1 at the rear portion of the helmet body 1.

By adopting the above described configuration, the locking portion 33 and the engaging portion 34 have an integral structure in a state that the back portions are joined together. In the cross-section, the locking portion 33 and the engaging portion 34 have an inverted trapezoidal shape that is wide on the outer side of the helmet body 1 and narrow on the inner side.

On the other hand, the clip 10 connected to the support belt 20 is configured similarly to the first embodiment, and has the hook portion 12 that is engaged with and locked in the locking portion 33 of the base portions 32 and the stopper 14 that is engaged with and locked in the engaging portion 34 provided on the clip body 11 arranged at the opening edge of the base portions 32, and also has the connecting portion 13 that is connected to the support belt 20.

In the third embodiment, as illustrated, the hook portion 12 is fitted snugly into the recess 31 and engaged with the locking portion 33. Similarly, the stopper 14 is engaged with the engaging portion 34. The back portions of the hook portion 12 and the stopper 14 are joined together. The width on the opening edge side is narrower than the width on the inner edge side in the hook portion 12 and the stopper 14. The hook portion 12 and the stopper 14 are configured to fit in close contact with the locking portion 33 and the engaging portion 34 respectively in a somewhat forcible manner.

Furthermore, an operating portion 15 having in a projection shape slightly inclined toward the connecting portion 13 side is provided on the clip 10 on the outer side surface of the clip 10 itself. This facilitates pushing in by fingers and the like when fitting and engaging the hook portion 12 into the locking portion 33 and the stopper 14 into the engaging portion 34, and conversely when removing by peeling off them.

The usage according to the third embodiment is the same as in the above-described first and second embodiments. By engaging the hook portion 12 and the stopper 14 so as to wrap around the front side of the pedestal portion 32 and the rear side of the locking portion 33 and the engaging portion 34 respectively, a more robust and secure connection can be achieved.

Note that the device T is not limited to the lighting device and can be the camera, the communication device, the power source and the other devices. Various required devices T can be selected. For example, it is also possible to support the power source for the device T on the rear surface of the helmet body 1 while the device T is supported on the front surface of the helmet body 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

• • T: device, 1: helmet body, 2: base portion, 3: locking portion, 4: engaging portion, 10: clip, 11: clip body, 12: hook portion, 13: connecting portion, 14: stopper, 15: operating portion, 20: support belt, 31: recess, 32: base portion, 33: locking portion, 34: engaging portion