Apparel – Guard or protector – For wearer's head
Patent
1988-09-29
1991-01-08
Reynolds, Wm. Carter
Apparel
Guard or protector
For wearer's head
2410, A42B 700, A42B 302
Patent
active
049824520
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to a safety helmet having a device which enables the user of the helmet to make sure that the interlock of a fastening system, was properly executed.
In the present state of technology, safety helmets are provided with two different fastening systems; (a) a chin strap; or (b) without a chin strap, in which flexible or rigid skirts are bound to the shell.
Very often, the chin strap system, when it exists, is used in a wrong way; that is, the chin strap is not sufficiently tightened, or due to thoughtlessness of the user, not used at all. As for helmets that do not employ a chin strap, the skirts are inevitably closed, but they may be locked in a wrong way, either due to a failure of the inlocking system, or owing to the clumisness of the user. In such a case, the user is unaware of the fact that the helmet is not properly secured.
According to the present invention, a helmet is provided with a visual, sonorous or tactile signal that enables the user to know whether the helmet is properly fastened.
In the case of a chin strap fastening system, the preferred embodiment comprises a sonorous signal that stops when the chin strap is properly fastened and tightened. In such a case, the signal system is preferably electrical or electronic, such as a sonorous source that is included in the helmet at the level of at least one ear of the user. One of the connection points of the chin strap on the shell is provided with a switch authorizing the opening of the circuit, and consequently the breaking of the working of the sonorous source only when the chin strap meets with a sufficient pulling towards the interior of the helmet so as to separate the electric contacts. Inversely, according to a second embodiment, the signal goes into action only when the chin strap has been correctly fastened. In such a case, the pulling on the chin strap towards the interior of the helmet leads to the joining of the contacts of the switch of the electric circuit supplying the alarm system. In order to avoid the permanent operation of the alarm when the helmet is properly secured, the alarm device is deactivated by a delay system of a known type, which causes the interruption of the signal after a predetermined period of time, such as after one minute. In another embodiment, the sonorous source, such as an electronic "bip-bip", is replaced by a visual signal, such as an electroluminescent diode, small bulb, liquid crystal display, etc., that is placed in the visual field of the user.
In the case of a helmet having a fastening system without a chin strap, which is provided with an electric, mechanical or magnetic locking system, or a helmet having a chin strap with a fast locking system, the preferential execution is a system with a locking signal which will only release when the locking operation is correct. According to such an embodiment, the signal is electric or electronic, sonorous or visual and, the contacts enabling the closing of the circuit are mounted on two cooperating parts of each locking part of the helmet. These locking parts are chosen so as to be in touch and close the circuit only when the locking operation is completely executed. A delay system controls the interruption of the signal after a predetermined emission time.
The electric or electronic embodiments of the device, according to the above described invention for helmets of the chin strap type, as well as for those of the type without a chin strap, can be improved by a device that prevents the signal from operating when the helmet is not used. For that purpose, either a main switch is operated by the user, or preferably, an automatic device is provided that is able to activate the signal circuit only when the helmet is placed on the head of the user and is deactivated each time the helmet is removed from the head of the user.
According to one feature of such an embodiment, a device comprises an electronic sensor, i.e., either an electronic eye reacting sensor; a detector reacting to the breathing of the user; a detector that react
REFERENCES:
patent: 4109105 (1978-08-01), Von Statten, Jr.
patent: 4581774 (1986-04-01), Chaise
patent: 4719462 (1988-01-01), Hawkins
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