Safety helmet with detachable brim

[0001]This invention relates to safety helmets, including in particular industrial safety helmets, that have a detachable brim.

[0002]A safety helmet is a helmet that includes an outer shell designed to protect the user's head against impact. Industrial safety helmets are designed particularly to protect against impact from falling objects, and typically include an internal suspension arrangement (referred to as a harness or cradle) that supports the shell in spaced relation to the head, so that the shell can move on impact into the intervening space without touching the head.

[0003]The harness can be made from webbing or as a unitary moulding of deformable plastics material so that it stretches to absorb impact forces. Commonly, the shell is moulded from a harder plastics material with integral insert apertures for receiving various attachments, including exterior accessories such as lamps, visors and the like, and clips for connecting the harness to the shell.

[0004]A detachable brim is useful because it can adapt the shell of a helmet for use in different conditions. For example, a detachable brim can protect against sun or rain, and then can be removed when no longer required so that the shell is unencumbered. A detachable brim may be made in a transparent material, different from the shell, for better visibility. From a manufacturing perspective, detachable brims also reduce stockholding requirements by providing a range of product options based on a standard helmet.

[0005]By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,087,4159 B1 discloses a safety helmet having a brim with a rear, fixed portion and a front, detachable portion. The fixed portion has keyhole slots at its forward ends. The detachable portion has downwardly projecting bosses at its rearward ends, which fit slidably into the keyhole slots, and a projection that engages in an elongate recess formed at the downwardly facing front edge of the shell to form a watertight seal when the detachable portion is urged towards the shell. The bosses are retained by a snap-fit detent feature in the keyhole slots, and releasable by twisting a coin between opposed ribs beneath the brim to lever the detachable portion away from the shell.

[0006]Another safety helmet with a detachable brim is commercially available from Pyramex Safety Products, LLC of Piperton, TN 38017, USA, shown online at https://www.pyramex.com/pages/sl-t2-safety-helmet.

[0007]The brim is connected by pushing it upwardly towards the shell of the helmet, so that tabs on the brim engage in insert apertures formed at the downwardly facing front edge of the shell. The brim can be detached from the shell by pulling it down sharply in the opposite direction.

[0008]It is a general object of the present invention to provide a safety helmet with a detachable brim that is more convenient or satisfactory in use.

[0009]It is desirable that the brim, when fitted, should withstand forces applied externally of the shell to resist displacement in all directions.

[0010]It is desirable that the brim should transfer downward impact forces to the helmet as effectively as possible.

[0011]It is desirable that the interface between the brim and the shell should be sealed against water penetration.

[0012]It is desirable that the shell should not include any features that are functional only in combination with the brim; thus, when used without the brim, the shell preferably should not have unnecessary features or extra cost when compared with a shell that is not designed for use with the brim.

[0013]In particular, it is desirable that the shell should have an ordinary plain front end when the brim is not fitted.

[0014]It is desirable that the brim should be attachable to and detachable from the shell as simply as possible, and preferably without the use of tools.

[0015]It is desirable that the brim should have a shape that is simple and smoothly curved for optimal protection against falling objects.

[0016]It is desirable that the brim should provide the user with a degree of protection against sun or rain commensurate with the use environment of the helmet.

SUMMARY

[0017]In each aspect of the present invention, there is provided a safety helmet system including a shell, at least one brim, and at least two securing elements.

[0018]The shell includes an outer surface defining two opposite sides of the shell, a cavity for receiving a user's head, and at least two insert apertures. The outer surface of the shell includes a crown portion and a peripheral portion, the peripheral portion defining a periphery of the shell.

[0019]The at least one brim includes an inner peripheral portion defining an inner periphery of the brim, an outer periphery, and at least two connectors, each of the connectors having a respective insert portion.

[0020]The at least one brim is detachably connectable to the shell to support the brim on the shell in a use position of the brim to form a safety helmet.

[0021]When the safety helmet is worn in a use position on the user's head, and a vertical axis intersects a horizontal plane at a point, the crown portion is upwardly facing and tangent to the horizontal plane at the point, to protect the user's head against downward impact forces, and the peripheral portion of the shell extends around the vertical axis, and an upwardly facing surface of the at least one brim extends radially outwardly with respect to the vertical axis, and away from the peripheral portion of the shell, from the inner periphery to the outer periphery.

[0022]The insert portion of each respective one of the connectors is insertable into a respective one of the insert apertures, in a respective insertion direction, to connect the brim to the shell in the use position of the brim, and removable from the respective insert aperture, in a removal direction opposite to the insertion direction, to disconnect the brim from the shell.

[0023]Each respective one of the securing elements is arranged, in a secured position, to releasably secure the insert portion of a respective one of the connectors in the respective insert aperture to resist removal of the respective insert portion in the removal direction, and manipulable from the secured position to a release position to release the respective insert portion for removal from the respective insert aperture in the removal direction.

[0024]In a first aspect, each insert aperture opens through the outer surface of the shell and communicates with the cavity, and, in the use position of the at least one brim, each of the securing elements is arranged within the cavity and is manipulable within the cavity from the secured position to the release position.

[0025]In a second aspect, the at least one brim includes a full brim and a peak brim, each brim having at least first and second said connectors. The full brim and the peak brim are interchangeably and alternatively connectable to the shell.

[0026]The full brim is annular and defines a central aperture, the shell being received in the central aperture in the use position of the full brim.

[0027]The peak brim includes a peak portion and two rearward extremities. In the use position of the peak brim and the use position of the safety helmet, the peak portion extends forwardly from a front end of the shell, and the rearward extremities are arranged, respectively, at the opposite sides of the shell between the front end of the shell and a rear end of the shell.

[0028]In a third aspect, the at least one brim includes a peak brim, the peak brim including a peak portion and two rearward extremities spaced apart by the peak portion.

[0029]The inner peripheral portion of the peak brim extends along the peak portion between the rearward extremities.

[0030]In the use position of the peak brim and the use position of the safety helmet, the peak portion extends forwardly from a front end of the shell, and the rearward extremities are arranged, respectively, at the opposite sides of the shell between the front end of the shell and a rear end of the shell.

[0031]The inner peripheral portion at the peak portion is arranged to engage the front end of the shell to define a fulcrum, and the insert portion of each respective one of the connectors of the peak brim is insertable into a respective one of the insert apertures, in the insertion direction, by rotation of the peak brim about the fulcrum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032]The above mentioned desiderata are fulfilled by embodiments of the novel safety helmet, which is convenient and adaptable in use and provides a secure but easily releasable connection between the brim and the shell.

[0033]The various aspects of the invention may be applied individually or in any desired combination.

[0034]Further features and advantages will be better understood from the illustrative embodiment which will now be described, purely by way of example and without limitation to the scope of the claims, and with reference to the accompanying drawings which show a safety helmet system in accordance with all three aspects of the invention.

[0035]In the drawings:

[0036]First safety helmet (full brim)

[0037]FIG. 1 shows a first safety helmet comprising a shell and a full brim.

[0038]FIG. 2 shows the full brim.

[0039]FIGS. 3 and 4 are respectively a top and side view of the first safety helmet.

[0040]FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are respectively a top, rear, and side view of the full brim.

[0041]FIG. 8 shows the full brim and the shell in front view, just before introducing the shell into the central aperture of the full brim.

[0042]FIG. 9 shows the full brim and the shell in side view, with the shell positioned within the central aperture of the full brim prior to connection.

[0043]FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the first safety helmet, looking up into the cavity.

[0044]FIG. 11 is a longitudinal section through the first safety helmet at XI-XI of FIG. 3.

[0045]FIG. 12 is a section through one of the first (front end) connectors of the first safety helmet at XII-XII of FIG. 3.

[0046]FIG. 13 is a section through one of the third (rear end) connectors of the first safety helmet at XIII-XIII of FIG. 3.

[0047]Second safety helmet (peak Brim)

[0048]FIG. 14 shows a second safety helmet comprising the same shell as the first safety helmet, but with the full brim replaced by a peak brim.

[0049]FIG. 15 is a top view of the front end portion of the second safety helmet.

[0050]FIG. 16 is a top view of the shell.

[0051]FIG. 17 is an enlarged external view of one of the insert apertures of the shell.

[0052]FIGS. 18-24 show the peak brim, wherein FIG. 23 is a partial bottom view, and Fig. shows the elastomer seal partly disengaged from the brim.

[0053]FIG. 25 is a section through the front end of the second safety helmet at XXV-XXV of FIG. 15.

[0054]FIG. 26 is an enlarged exterior view of part of the second safety helmet, showing one connector of the peak brim engaged in the corresponding second insert aperture of the shell.

[0055]FIG. 27 is an interior view from inside the cavity, showing the same part as FIG. 26.

[0056]FIG. 28 is a section at XXVIII-XXVIII of FIG. 15, through the same part as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27.

[0057]FIGS. 29-32 illustrate how the peak brim is attached to the shell to form the second safety helmet.

[0058]FIG. 33 illustrates how the peak brim is detached from the shell.

[0059]Reference numerals and characters that appear in more than one of the drawings indicate the same or corresponding features in each of them.

The Safety Helmet

[0060]The figures show a safety helmet system including a shell 10 and at least one brim that is detachably connectable to the shell 10 to support the brim on the shell in a use position of the brim to form a safety helmet.

[0061]An outer surface 11 of the shell includes a crown portion 13 and a peripheral portion 14 that defines a periphery 15 of the shell.

[0062]As illustrated, the at least one brim may include either or both of a full brim 100 that extends all around the helmet, and a peak brim 200 that defines a peak at the front end 16 of the helmet. The two brims 100, 200 may be interchangeably and alternatively connectable to the shell, to adapt the shell for use in different weather conditions. When fitted with the first, full brim 100, the shell and brim together form a first safety helmet 1000, and when fitted with the second, peak brim 200, the shell and brim together form a second safety helmet 2000.

[0063]FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 11 show the first safety helmet 1000 fully assembled in its upright use position.

[0064]FIGS. 14, 15 and 32 show the second safety helmet 2000 fully assembled in its upright use position.

[0065]The shell 10 can also be used on its own as a basic safety helmet without either brim, as best seen in FIG. 8 and FIG. 29 which show the shell together with each respective brim before they are connected together. In this configuration it will be noted that the shell does not include any parts of either brim, which advantageously avoids cluttering the shell with unnecessary features.

[0066]When the safety helmet 1000, 2000 is worn in a use position on the user's head, and a vertical axis X is defined to intersect a horizontal plane Ph at a point PhX, the crown portion 13 is upwardly facing and tangent to the horizontal plane Ph at the point PhX, to protect the user's head against downward impact forces, and the peripheral portion 14 of the shell 10 extends around the vertical axis X, and an upwardly facing surface 104, 204 of the respective brim 100 or 200 extends radially outwardly with respect to the vertical axis X, and away from the peripheral portion 14 of the shell 10, from an inner periphery 102, 202 of brim to an outer periphery 103, 203 of the brim.

The Shell and the Insert Apertures

[0067]The shell 10 extends from a rear end 17 to a front end 16 (which faces forward in use) and includes an outer surface 11 defining two opposite sides (left side 18 and right side 19) of the shell, and defines an internal cavity 12 for receiving a user's head.

[0068]In use, the shell 10 may be supported by an internal suspension arrangement (harness or cradle) (not shown) as well known in the art, which may be made for example as a unitary plastics moulding or an assembly of webbing.

[0069]The shell 10 may include various internal sockets 42 for receiving clips or other connectors to connect the internal suspension to the shell 10. In use, the internal suspension supports the shell 10 in spaced relation to the user's head so that external impact forces are absorbed safely by the shell 10 and suspension (not shown). Other internal features such as liners and pads and the like may be provided as well known in the art, for better protection or comfort, which will not be described further.

[0070]In the use position of the safety helmet 1000, 2000, the peripheral portion 14 of the shell 10 may define at each respective side 18, 19 of the shell 10 a respective upwardly facing ledge 20, which may be contoured as shown to form a raised recess 21 on each side of the helmet above the user's ears. Ventilation openings 22 may be formed in the shell as known in the art.

[0071]The shell includes at least two insert apertures 40′, 40″, 40′″ for connecting the or each brim 100, 200 to the shell 10, as further explained below. Preferably, a pair or pairs of insert apertures 40′, 40″, 40′″ are arranged at the opposite sides 18, 19 of the shell 10 to provide symmetrically balanced force across the width of the helmet.

[0072]Each insert aperture 40′, 40″, 40′″ preferably opens inwardly into the cavity 12 so that the brim 100, 200 can be released from inside the cavity 12, as further discussed below.

[0073]Each insert aperture 40′, 40″, 40′″ may open outwardly and upwardly through a respective one of the upwardly facing ledges 20, which provides a neat and compact assembly with relatively little deflection of the respective parts during connection of the brim to the shell, thus allowing the connectors to be relatively small and robust with a strong resilient restoring force, providing a secure connection, as further explained below.

[0074]The insert apertures may have plain internal surfaces as best seen in FIGS. 12 and 17.

[0075]As illustrated, the shell 10 may include a pair of first insert apertures 40′ and a pair of second insert apertures 40″.

[0076]The first insert apertures 40′ are arranged to receive the insert portions 141 of a pair of first connectors 140′ of the full brim 100 in the use position of the full brim 100.

[0077]The second insert apertures 40″ are arranged to receive the insert portions 241 of the connectors 240 of the peak brim 200 in the use position of the peak brim 200.

[0078]When considered at each respective side 18, 19 of the shell 10, the insertion direction D2 of a respective one of the connectors 240 of the peak brim 200 may be non-parallel with the insertion direction D1 of a respective one of the first connectors 140′ of the full brim 100.

[0079]The respective insert apertures are configured to extend respectively in the different insertion directions D1, D2 of the two brims 100, 200, so that the full brim 100 can be connected by moving it down in translation over the shell 10, while the peak brim 200 is connected by moving it in rotation about the fulcrum F, as further discussed below.

[0080]In alternative embodiments (not shown), the respective connectors of both brims could be arranged to be connected alternatively and interchangeably to the same respective ones of the insert apertures of the shell.

[0081]As illustrated, each upwardly facing ledge 20 of the shell 10 may have a first portion 20′ and a second portion 20″, the second portion 20″ being arranged behind the first portion 20′ and extending upwardly from the first portion 20′ to face upwardly and forwardly with respect to the front end 16 of the shell 10.

[0082]Each respective one of the first insert apertures 40′ may open through the first portion 20′ of a respective one of the upwardly facing ledges 20, and each respective one of the second insert apertures 40″ may open through the second portion 20″ of a respective one of the upwardly facing ledges 20.

[0083]As illustrated, the full brim 100 may include a pair of second connectors 140′″, and the shell 10 may include a pair of third insert apertures 40′″ to receive the respective insert portions 141 of the second connectors 140′″ in the use position of the full brim 100. When considered on each respective side 18, 19 of the shell 10, the respective insertion directions D1 (hence also the removal directions D1′) of the first and third insert apertures 40′, 40′″ may be parallel.

The Full Brim 100 and Peak Brim 200 and the Connectors

[0084]Each brim 100, 200 includes an inner peripheral portion 101, 201 defining an inner periphery 102, 202 of the brim, an outer periphery 103, 203, and at least two connectors 140′, 140′″, 240. Each of the connectors 140′, 140′″, 240 has a respective insert portion 141, 241.

[0085]The helmet system further includes at least two securing elements 150, 250. As illustrated, the securing elements 150, 250 may be part of the respective brim 100, 200, although they could alternatively be part of the shell 10 or separate parts assembled to the shell 10.

[0086]Preferably, as illustrated, each respective one of the securing elements 150, 250 is formed on (e.g. moulded integrally with) the insert portion 141, 241 of a respective one of the connectors 140′, 140′″, 240. Each securing element may form a protrusion that extends outwardly from a respective surface of the insert portion.

[0087]The insert portion 141, 241 of each respective one of the connectors 140′, 140′″, 240 is insertable into a respective one of the insert apertures 40′, 40″, 40′″ of the shell 10, in a respective insertion direction D1, D2, to connect the respective brim 100, 200 to the shell 10 in the use position of the brim 100, 200, and is removable from the respective insert aperture 40′, 40″, 40′″, in a removal direction D1′, D2′ opposite to the insertion direction D1, D2, to disconnect the respective brim 100, 200 from the shell 10.

[0088]Each respective one of the securing elements 150, 250 is arranged, in a secured position, to releasably secure the insert portion 141, 241 of a respective one of the connectors 140′, 140′″, 240 in the respective insert aperture 40′, 40″, 40′″ to resist removal of the respective insert portion 141, 241 in the removal direction D1′, D2′, and manipulable from the secured position to a release position to release the respective insert portion 141, 241 for removal from the respective insert aperture 40′, 40″, 40′″ in the removal direction D1′, D2′.

[0089]Preferably, as illustrated, each securing element 150, 250 is resiliently biased to the secured position in the use position of the respective brim 100, 200. Most preferably, each insert portion 141, 241 can be received in snap-fit relation in the respective insert aperture 40′, 40″, 40′″, which provides particularly easy assembly of the brim to the shell. The insert portion may be deflected during insertion into the insert aperture, and then springs out into the rest position as shown after insertion, so that the securing element 150, 250 formed on the insert portion engages in abutting relation the downwardly facing surface of the shell 10 defining the inward edge of the insert aperture.

[0090]Respective ones of the insert portions 141, 241 may be provided with ribs 141″, 241″ that engage an internal surface of the respective insert aperture to provide an interference fit with the shell. The ribs may terminate above a downwardly depending end portion of the insert portion 141, 241 on which the securing element 150, 250 is formed, so that the downwardly depending end portion can be resiliently deflected within the insert aperture to release the insert portion 141, 241 for removal in the removal direction D1′, D2′.

[0091]As illustrated, the insertion direction D1, D2 of the insert portion 141, 241 of each of the connectors 140′, 140′″, 240 may be downward in the use position of the safety helmet 1000, 2000. By downward is meant, having at least a downward vector component (so for example, the direction may be downward and rearward, as shown by the second insert apertures 40″). Advantageously, a generally downward insertion direction D1, D2 helps ensure that the brim 100, 200 cannot be detached by a downward impact force.

[0092]As illustrated, each of the connectors 140′, 140′″, 240 may include an intermediate portion 142, 242 that extends in spaced relation to the respective insert portion 141, 241 and downwardly, in the use position of the safety helmet 1000, 2000, from an upper end 141′, 241′ of the respective insert portion 141, 241 to the upwardly facing surface 104, 204 of the at least one brim 100, 200. This allows the brim 100, 200 to be arranged below the insert apertures, while the insert apertures open into the cavity 12.

[0093]When fitted, the inner peripheral portion 101, 201 of the respective brim 100, 200 preferably overlies the peripheral portion 14 of the shell 10 along at least most of a length of the inner periphery 102, 202 of the brim, so as to transfer downward impact forces more effectively from the brim 100, 200 to the peripheral portion 14 of the shell 10.

[0094]The engagement between the brim and the shell resists displacement of the brim irrespective of the direction of externally applied force.

Disconnection

[0095]Preferably, each insert aperture 40′, 40″, 40′″ opens through the outer surface 11 of the shell 10 and communicates with the cavity 12, and, in the use position of the respective brim 100, 200, each of the securing elements 150, 250 is arranged within the cavity 12 and is manipulable within the cavity 12 from the secured position to the release position.

[0096]Since it is unlikely that external forces will act inside the cavity 12, this provides a secure but easily releasable connection. Advantageously, each brim 100, 200 can be released from the shell 10 by hand without the use of tools.

[0097]As shown by the arrows in FIG. 33, the peak brim 200 can be released from the shell 10 by pressing the distal end of the insert portion 241 outwardly into the shell with pressure P, thus disengaging the securing element 250 from the abutting edge of the shell defining the insert aperture 40″, and then urging the insert portion 241 in the removal direction D2′.

[0098]As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the exposed distal ends of the insert portions 141 of the first and third connectors 140′, 140′″ can be pressed outwards in a similar way from inside the cavity 12 with pressure P, disengaging the securing elements 250 from the abutting edge of the shell defining the insert apertures 40′, 40′″, and then urging the insert portions 141 in the removal direction D1′ to disconnect the full brim 100 from the shell 10.

[0099]In each case the pressure P may be applied in a direction generally perpendicular to the removal direction D1′, D2′, and preferably radially outwardly away from the central vertical axis X in the use position. This makes it easy to applied opposed force against opposite sides of the helmet to release simultaneously the two connectors of a pair of connectors. Where two pairs of connectors 140′, 140″ are provided as on the full brim 100, a first pair 140′ can be released in this way before releasing the other pair 140″.

[0100]The peak brim 200 is released by first releasing the connectors 240 and then rotating the peak brim 200 about the fulcrum F.

The Full Brim 100 and First Safety Helmet 1000

[0101]The full brim 100 is annular and defines a central aperture 110. The shell 10 is received in the central aperture 110 in the use position of the full brim 100. In use, the full brim extends radially outwardly away from the central axis X all around the periphery 15 of the shell 10 and so provides better protection from adverse weather.

[0102]The inner peripheral portion 101 of the full brim 100 may include locally raised portions 101′ that extend upwardly and inwardly towards the vertical axis X in the use position of the full brim and the first safety helmet 1000, wherein the raised portions are spaced apart around the vertical axis X and contoured to conform to the outer surface of the shell 10. The locally raised portions 101′ may be arranged to occupy the raised recess 21 at each side 18, 19 of the shell 10, providing a more enclosed helmet for better protection against adverse weather conditions.

[0103]Like the peak brim 200, further discussed below, the full brim 100 may be configured to provide a seal in the region overlying the peripheral portion 14 of the shell, to prevent water penetration between brim and shell. This is achieved by connecting the full brim 100 in translation to the shell 10, so that the sealing interface is energised by the force applied during connection, that force being then maintained by the insert portions acting in tension between the brim and the shell.

The Peak Brim 200 and Second Safety Helmet 2000

[0104]The peak brim 200 includes a peak portion 220 and two rearward extremities 221 spaced apart by the peak portion 220, which forms a front peak of the helmet 2000 in use.

[0105]The inner peripheral portion 201 of the peak brim 200 extends along the peak portion 220 between the rearward extremities 221.

[0106]In the use position of the peak brim 200 and the use position of the safety helmet 2000, the peak portion 220 extends forwardly from the front end 16 of the shell 10, and the rearward extremities 221 are arranged, respectively, at the opposite sides 18, 19 of the shell 10 between the front and rear ends 16, 17 of the shell 10.

[0107]Referring now to FIGS. 29-32 , the inner peripheral portion 201 at the peak portion 220 may be arranged to engage a front edge portion 16′ of the front end 16 of the shell 10 to define a fulcrum F, and the insert portion 241 of each respective one of the connectors 240 of the peak brim 200 may be insertable into a respective one of the insert apertures 40″, in the insertion direction D2, by rotation of the peak brim 200 about the fulcrum F.

[0108]As shown in FIG. 29, the peak brim 200 may be offered up to shell 10 at an angle of about 45° relative to its use position to engage the brim and shell at the fulcrum F before rotating the brim 200 to the use position.

[0109]Advantageously, the front edge portion 16′ of the shell 10 may be plain and smoothly curved when considered in plan view, without any additional features that would intrude into the user's field of view when using the shell on its own without a brim.

[0110]Preferably the peak brim 200 is configured to remain engaged with the shell 10 at the fulcrum F after rotating to the use position, so that the fulcrum F then forms a securing connection between the peak brim 200 and the shell 10 until the peak brim 200 is rotated again in the opposite direction.

[0111]As best seen in FIG. 25, in the use position of the peak brim 200 and the helmet 2000, an upper part 201′ of the inner peripheral portion 201 of the peak brim 200 may overlie (i.e. may lie above) the peripheral portion 14 of the shell 10 along at least most of a length of the inner periphery 202 of the peak brim 200, to transfer downward impact forces from the peak brim 200 to the peripheral portion 14 of the shell 10. This ensures that the peak brim 200 offers additional protection to the user.

[0112]As best seen in FIGS. 22, 25 and 33, the inner peripheral portion 201 of the peak brim 200 may includes a pair of hooks 206 that are spaced apart and (in the use position of the safety helmet 2000) depend downwardly from the upper part 201′ of the inner peripheral portion 201, wherein the fulcrum F is defined between each of the hooks 206 and the upper part 201′ of the inner peripheral portion 201. This makes it possible for the fulcrum F to define an axis of rotation stretching across the front part of the helmet 2000, while also allowing the upper part 201′ of the peak brim to overlie the whole of the peripheral portion 14 of the shell 10 after assembly.

[0113]As illustrated, the peak brim 200 may include an elastomeric seal 230 extending along the inner periphery 202 at the peak portion 220 to seal the peak brim 200 to the shell 10, preventing rain from dripping down through the joint.

[0114]The elastomeric seal 230 may be arranged to be energised, during assembly, by rotation of the peak brim 200 about the fulcrum F. FIGS. 31-32 show the rotation about the fulcrum F that presses the free edge of the seal 230 against the front end 16 of the shell 10. FIG. 25 shows how the seal 230 sits tight against the surface of the shell after assembly, being energised by the pressure exerted during rotation of the peak brim so as to seal tightly against the shell. This can be facilitated as shown by arranging the seal 230 to extend towards the front end 16 of the shell 10 from the upper part 201′ of the peak brim, so that it moves in rotation towards the outer surface of the shell 10 during assembly.

[0115]Preferably, no other pivot is provided between the peak brim and the shell, apart from the fulcrum F. This avoids cluttering the shell with unnecessary features.

Other Features

[0116]Each brim 100, 200 may extend substantially more radially outwardly than downwardly in the use position.

[0117]Thus, when considered in section in a vertical plane Pv containing the vertical axis X and bisecting both front and rear ends 16, 17 of the shell 10 in the use position of the safety helmet 1000, 2000, a horizontal dimension L1 of the at least one brim 100, 200 between the inner and outer peripheries 102, 103, 202, 203, when projected onto the horizontal plane Ph, may be at least five times a thickness L2 of the at least one brim 100, 200 perpendicular to the upwardly facing surface 104, 204 of the at least one brim 100, 200 and mid-way between the inner and outer peripheries 102, 103, 202, 203.

[0118]The thickness L2 may be about 3 mm.

[0119]This relationship can be seen in FIG. 11 (showing the full brim 100) and FIG. 25 (showing the peak brim 200).

[0120]At least most of the or each brim 100, 200 may consist of a solid body 160, 260 of plastics material, which preferably has an elastic modulus of at least 1 GPa, wherein each of the connectors 140′, 140′″, 240 is an integral part of the solid body 260. The plastics material may be, for example, ABS or polypropylene.

[0121]Similarly, at least most of the shell 10 may consists of a solid body 60 of plastics material, preferably having an elastic modulus of at least 1 GPa, each of the insert apertures 40′, 40″, 40′″ being formed in the solid body 60.

[0122]The shell 10 and brims 100, 200 may be respective plastics mouldings.

[0123]The peak brim 200 may be provided with finger grips 205, for example, overmoulded from an elastomer onto the solid body 260, to make it easier to manipulate.

[0124]The solid body of each or either brim may be made from the same material or a different material from the shell.

[0125]The upper part 201′ of the inner peripheral portion 201 of the peak brim 200 preferably includes a respective upper part 260′ of the solid body 260, as shown, for better transfer of impact forces.

SUMMARY

[0126]In summary, in embodiments, a safety helmet system includes a shell 10 and at least one brim 100, 200 that is detachably connected to the shell 10 via connectors 140′, 140′″, 240 having insert portions 141, 241 that are secured by securing elements 150, 250 in insert apertures 40′, 40″, 40′″ of the shell 10. Two brims 100, 200 may be provided, one being a full brim and the other a peak brim forming a peak at the front of the shell, wherein the two brims are alternatively and interchangeably connectable to the shell. A peak brim may be connectable by engaging the front edge of the shell to define a fulcrum F and then rotating about the fulcrum F to engage the insert portions 241 with the insert apertures 40″ of the shell. Each insert aperture may open inside the cavity 12 of the shell 10 so that the respective securing element 150, 250 is releasable from within the cavity 12.

[0127]In alternative embodiments, the securing elements could be formed as part of the shell 10 or as separate elements assembled to the shell. For example, they could be resiliently movable relative to the shell to selectively engage and disengage cooperating abutment surfaces of the respective insert portions.

[0128]Although the respective aspects of the invention are illustrated in combination, they could be applied individually or selectively combined together.

[0129]The novel safety helmet may be an industrial safety helmet although it could be applied also to other applications.

[0130]Many further adaptations are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0131]In the claims, reference numerals and characters are provided in parentheses, purely for ease of reference, and should not be construed as limiting features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND CHARACTERS

LIST OF EMBODIMENTS

[0254]Embodiment 5. A safety helmet system according to any preceding Embodiment, wherein, in the use position of the safety helmet (1000, 2000), the peripheral portion (14) of the shell (10) defines at each respective side (18, 19) of the shell (10) a respective upwardly facing ledge (20), and each insert aperture (40′, 40″, 40′″) opens through a respective one of the upwardly facing ledges (20).

[0284]Embodiment 8. A safety helmet system according to Embodiment 7, wherein, in the use position of the peak brim (200) and the use position of the safety helmet (2000), an upper part (201′) of the inner peripheral portion (201) of the peak brim (200) overlies the peripheral portion (14) of the shell (10) along at least most of a length of the inner periphery (202) of the peak brim (200), to transfer downward impact forces from the peak brim (200) to the peripheral portion (14) of the shell (10).

[0285]Embodiment 9. A safety helmet system according to Embodiment 8, wherein, in the use position of the safety helmet (2000), the inner peripheral portion (201) of the peak brim (200) includes a pair of hooks (206) spaced apart and depending downwardly from the upper part (201′) of the inner peripheral portion (201), and the fulcrum (F) is defined between each of the hooks (206) and the upper part (201′) of the inner peripheral portion (201).

[0286]Embodiment 10. A safety helmet system according to Embodiment 8 or Embodiment 9, wherein the peak brim (200) includes an elastomeric seal (230) extending along the inner periphery (202) at the peak portion (220) to seal the peak brim (200) to the shell (10).

[0287]Embodiment 11. A safety helmet system according to Embodiment 10, wherein the elastomeric seal (230) is arranged to be energised, during assembly, by rotation of the peak brim (200) about the fulcrum (F).

[0300]Embodiment 15. A safety helmet system according to Embodiment 13 or Embodiment 14, wherein the full brim (100) includes a pair of second said connectors (140′″), and the shell (10) includes a pair of third insert apertures (40′″) to receive the respective insert portions (141) of the second connectors (140′″) in the use position of the full brim (100).

[0301]Embodiment 16. A safety helmet system according to any preceding Embodiment, wherein each respective one of the securing elements (150, 250) is formed on the insert portion (141, 241) of a respective one of the connectors (140′, 140′″, 240).

[0302]Embodiment 17. A safety helmet system according to any preceding Embodiment, wherein each securing element (150, 250) is resiliently biased to the secured position in the use position of the at least one brim (100, 200).

[0303]Embodiment 18. A safety helmet system according to Embodiment 17, wherein each insert portion (141, 241) is received in snap-fit relation in the respective insert aperture (40′, 40″, 40′″).

[0304]Embodiment 19. A safety helmet system according to any preceding Embodiment, wherein the insertion direction (D1, D2) of the insert portion (141, 241) of each of the connectors (140′, 140′″, 240) is downward in the use position of the safety helmet (1000, 2000).

[0305]Embodiment 20. A safety helmet system according to any preceding Embodiment, wherein each of the connectors (140′, 140′″, 240) includes an intermediate portion (142, 242), the intermediate portion (142, 242) extending in spaced relation to the respective insert portion (141, 241) and downwardly, in the use position of the safety helmet (1000, 2000), from an upper end (141′, 241′) of the respective insert portion (141, 241) to the upwardly facing surface (104, 204) of the at least one brim (100, 200).

[0306]Embodiment 21. A safety helmet system according to any preceding Embodiment, wherein, in the use position of the safety helmet (1000, 2000), the inner peripheral portion (101, 201) of the at least one brim (100, 200) overlies the peripheral portion (14) of the shell (10) along at least most of a length of the inner periphery (102, 202), to transfer downward impact forces from the at least one brim (100, 200) to the peripheral portion (14) of the shell (10).

[0307]Embodiment 22. A safety helmet system according to any preceding Embodiment, wherein at least most of the at least one brim (100, 200) consists of a solid body (160, 260) of plastics material having an elastic modulus of at least 1 GPa, each of the connectors (140′, 140′″, 240) being an integral part of the solid body (260).