US20090000015A1

US20090000015A1 - Sun visor assembly and safety helmet having the same

Info

Publication number: US20090000015A1
Application number: US11/858,569
Authority: US
Inventors: Joong Koo Ahn; Weon Yeol Choi
Original assignee: HJC Co Ltd
Current assignee: HJC Co Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-26
Filing date: 2007-09-20
Publication date: 2009-01-01
Also published as: KR100861983B1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a safety helmet; and, more particularly, to a safety helmet having an extended sun visor capable of preventing light from entering directly into eyes of a helmet wearer.

A safety helmet includes a cap having a front opening portion; a sun visor fixed on the cap to be protruded from an upper portion of the front opening portion toward the front; and an extended member located on a front end portion of the sun visor to pivot about the sun visor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

BACKGROUND

When driving a two-wheeled vehicle such as a motorcycle, a safety helmet must be worn to protect the head of the rider. Further, such safety helmet generally has a visor capable of allowing the rider to normally breathe, and at the same time, obtaining field of vision by protecting light and wind generated from the front while driving the motorcycle.
In general, the visor may be classified into a wind shield visor for protecting the wearer's eyes from the wind and a sun visor for protecting the wearer's eyes from the light. Such visors function to block the wind and the light by independently mounting the wind shield visor and the sun visor on the helmet or by making the visor to have a limited permeability against the light.
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a conventional safety helmet. As shown in FIG. 1, the safety helmet includes a cap 1; a sun visor 4 extended from a front opening portion 2 in a front direction and fixed to both side surfaces 3 of the cap 1.
According to some conventional techniques, a configuration of allowing the sun visor 4 to pivot about the cap 1 within a limited angle range has been proposed. However, such configuration has a problem that a complicated connection mechanism has been required in order to connect the sun visor 4 with the cap 1 such that the sun visor 4 is rotatable within the limited angle range.
In the meantime, if the sun visor 4 is fixed to the cap 1, the connecting mechanism can become simple. However, exterior light may enter directly into the front opening portion 2 according to the incident angle of the exterior light, and therefore, the original function that the sun visor 4 blocks the exterior light can not be accomplished.

SUMMARY

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a sun visor assembly and a safety helmet having the same, wherein the sun visor assembly has a simple configuration and is easy to control a pivot angle thereof according to the incident angle of the light.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a safety helmet including a cap having a front opening portion; a sun visor fixed on the cap to be protruded from an upper portion of the front opening portion toward the front; and an extended member located on a front end portion of the sun visor to pivot about the sun visor.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a sun visor assembly fixed on a front portion of a cap of a safety helmet, the sun visor assembly including a sun visor fixed on the cap of the safety helmet having a front opening portion; an extended member located on a front end portion of the sun visor to pivot about the sun visor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the following figures:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a conventional safety helmet;

FIG. 2 offers an assembly perspective view of a safety helmet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an extended member of a sun visor of the safety helmet in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate operation of the extended member in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of showing an effect in a state that a user wears the safety helmet in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of showing magnetic members provided in the safety helmet in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 7A to 7C shows a partially enlarged view in which the sun visor and the extended member are connected with each other in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. It will be apparent, however, that these embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps or elements have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the disclosure.
FIG. 2 offers an assembly perspective view of a safety helmet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The safety helmet includes a cap 100 provided with a front opening portion; a sun visor 200 fixed to the cap 100 to be protruded from an upper portion of the front opening portion toward a front direction; and an extended member 300 connected to a front end portion of the sun visor 200, the extended member 300 pivoting about the sun visor 200.
A fixing groove 110 formed on both side surfaces of the cap 100 and a fixing protrusion 210 formed on a rear portion of an inner surface of the sun visor 200 are connected with each other, thereby fixing the sun visor 200 to the cap 100. However, the fixing groove 110 and the fixing protrusion 210 are not limited to the above mentioned configuration. That is, they may be a concave and a project having a polygonal shape, and also, may be joint members like a screw and a nut. It is sufficient as long as the fixing groove 110 and the fixing protrusion 210 can connect and fix the cap 100 and the sun visor 200 with each other.
Further, the extended member 300 is pivotally connected to the sun visor 200 by connecting pins 320 protruded from both side surfaces of a rear portion of the extended member 300 in a lengthwise direction thereof to grooves 220 formed on both inner side surfaces of a front portion of the sun visor 200.
The sun visor 200 fixed to the cap 100 can block large amount of light coming directly into the front opening portion of the cap 100, but it is possible that there is light not to be protected by the sun visor 200. In this case, the light coming directly into the front opening portion can be blocked by controlling the pivot angle of the extended member 300 with respect to the sun visor 200.
Further, the extended member 300 may be configured to include a translucent or opaque region. The opaque region is used to completely shut out the light, and the translucent region is used to block large amount of the light and to obtain the front field of vision against the extended member 300.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the extended member 300 of the sun visor 200 of the safety helmet in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
The extended member 300 includes pins 320 pivotally connected to the grooves 220 of the sun visor 200; magnetic members 330, attached to the front portion of the extended member 300, for joining the sun visor 200 with the extended member 300; a groove portion 380, connected to a central rear portion of the extended member 300 to have a connection with the sun visor 200 in a step by step; an engaged portion 340 formed adjacent to a central groove 382 except a front groove 381 and a rear groove 383; and a separation preventing portion 390 formed adjacent to the rear groove 383.
The pins 320 are protruded from both sides of the rear portion of the extended member 300 in the lengthwise direction thereof. Further, the pins 320 are pivotally connected to the grooves 220 of the sun visor 200, thereby pivotally connecting the extended member 300 to the sun visor 200.
The magnetic members 330 are attached to an upper side of the front portion of the extended member 300. Further, if the extended member 330 pivots about the sun visor 200 at a maximum angle in a front direction, the magnetic members 330 are contacted with magnetic members 230 (which will be describe later) attached to a lower side of the front portion of the sun visor 200, thereby fixing the sun visor 200 to the extended member 300.
The groove portion 380 has a plurality of grooves at the central portion of the extended member 300, and functions to connect the sun visor 200 with the extended member 300. The number of grooves of the groove portion 380 depends on the number of times of pivoting the extended member 300 about the sun visor 200 in a step-by-step. In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, the groove portion 380 is configured to have three grooves 381 to 383.
Further, the engaged portion 340 is formed adjacent to the central groove 382 among the groove portion 380. Accordingly, when the central groove 382 is connected to the sun visor 200, the engaged portion 340 is additionally connected to the sun visor 200.
The separation preventing portion 390 is formed to be protruded from the rear groove 383 toward the upper side of the extended member 300, and supports protrusion 240 (which will be describe later) of the sun visor 200. When the extended member 300 pivots about the sun visor 200 at a maximum angle in the front direction, the separation preventing portion 390 functions to limit the pivot angle of the extended member 300.
The joining operation of the groove portion 380, the separation preventing portion 390 and the engaged portion 340 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7C.
FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate operation of the extended member in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4A offers a diagram in a state that the extended member 300 pivots about the sun visor 200 at a maximum angle in a rear direction, and is fixed to the sun visor 200. If a wearer of the safety helmet in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention wants to block light which is not blocked by the sun visor 200 while driving a motorcycle, the wearer pushes the separation preventing portion 390 of the extended member 300 along the arrow direction (shown in FIG. 4A) at first. If the separation preventing portion 390 located at the rear portion of the extended member 300 is pushed up, the front portion of the extended member 300 pivots about the sun visor 200 in a lower direction. Accordingly, the magnetic members 230 and 330 are separated so that the extended member 300 can pivot about the pin 320.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4B, the light which is not blocked may be additionally blocked by pivoting the extended member 300 about the sun visor 200 in the front direction.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an effect when a rider wears the safety helmet in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, since the sun visor 200 is fixed to the cap 100, light which is not blocked by the sun visor 200 may be come into the eye of the wearer according to the angle of the light. The light which is not blocked can be additionally blocked by moving the extended member 300 capable of pivoting about the sun visor 200 in a front direction (marked by a dashed line)
FIG. 6 provides a diagram showing magnetic members provided in the safety helmet in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 6, if the extended member 300 pivots about the sun visor 200 at the maximum angle in the rear direction, the magnetic members 230 attached to the lower side of the front portion of the sun visor 200 and the magnetic members 330 attached to the upper side of the front portion of the extended member 300 are connected and fixed to each other. Accordingly, the pivot angle of the extended member 300 is limited not to be pivoted in a rear direction, and at the same time, the extended member 300 is strongly joined to the sun visor 200 so that the extended member 300 may not be allowed to pivot in a front direction when driving the motorcycle.
In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, although the sun visor 200 and the extended member 300 are respectively provided with two magnetic members 230 and 330, they are provided with a single central magnetic member and more than three magnetic members may be attached thereto. However, it is sufficient as long as the magnetic member can fix the sun visor 200 and the extended member 300 with each other. For example, the sun visor 200 and the extended member 300 may be fixed with each other by using a hook member or adhesive member.
The joining operation of the sun visor 200 and the extended member 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 7A to 7C.
The sun visor 200 and the extended member 300 are connected and fixed to each other by a pivot controlling mechanism. The pivot controlling mechanism includes the protrusion 240 formed on the inner side of the central portion of the sun visor 200 and protruded toward the lower side of the sun visor 200; the groove portion 380, formed on the rear portion of the extended portion 300, for accommodating therein the protrusion 240; the separation preventing portion 390 located adjacent to the rear groove 383 and protruded toward the upper side of the extended member 300; the magnetic members 230 and 330 attached to the sun visor 200 and the extended member 300, respectively; the engaged portion 340 located adjacent to the central groove 382; a stopper 250 formed on a rear position of the protrusion 240 and protruded toward the lower side of the sun visor 200.
FIG. 7A is a partially enlarged diagram in which the extended member 300 pivots about the sun visor 200 at a maximum angle in the front direction in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 7A, if the extended member pivots at the maximum angle in the front direction, the protrusion 240 is accommodated in the rear groove 383. Here, since the separation preventing portion 390 located adjacent to the rear groove 383 supports the protrusion 240, the pivot angle of the extended member 300 in the front direction is limited due to the separation preventing portion 390 and the protrusion 240, if the wearer wants to pivot the extended member 300 in the front direction.
If the wearer pushes the extended member 300 in the rear direction, the protrusion 240 leaves from the rear groove 383 and moves toward the rear direction. During the rear movement of the extended member 300, the protrusion 240 is again accommodated in the central groove 382 so that the extended member 300 is fixed to the sun visor 200. However, it may be easy for the protrusion 240 to leave from the central groove 382 if a strong impact or a power toward the front is applied to the extended member 300. In result, the extended member 300 slides down toward the front direction against the wearer's intention.
Accordingly, by accommodating the stopper 250 of the sun visor 200 in the engaged portion 340 of the extended member 300 when the protrusion 240 is accommodated in the central groove 382, the above-described sliding of the extended member 300 can be prevented.
The engaged portion 340 may be formed to have a predetermined elasticity. That is, if force is applied to the engaged portion 340 when one end of the engaged portion 340 is contacted to the lower side of the stopper 250, the engaged portion 340 is bent down by the elasticity. Thereafter, if the stopper 250 is accommodated in the engaged portion 340, the engaged portion 340 is restored to the original state, thereby connecting the stopper 250 to the engaged portion 340.
As shown in FIG. 7 c, if the wearer pivots the extended member 300 at the maximum angle in the rear direction, the protrusion 240 leaves from the central groove 382, and then, is accommodated in the front groove 381. Further, the stopper 250 leaves from the engaged portion 340 to be a separated state.
Like the above-described separation preventing portion 390, the engaged portion 340 and the stopper 250, the magnetic members 230 and 330, which function to limit the pivot angle of the sun visor 200 with respect to the extended member 300 are attached to the sun visor 200 and the extended member 300, respectively. Accordingly, if the extended member 300 is pivoted at the maximum angle in the rear direction, the sun visor 200 and the extended member 300 are fixed with each other by the magnetic members 230 and 330. For the reason, the pivot angle of the extended member 300 with respect to the sun visor 200 is limited, and further, the extended member 300 and the sun visor 200 are firmly fixed with each other.
In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, the sun visor assembly can be configured by adopting the simple connecting configuration of the sun visor and the extended member, thereby effectively blocking the light.
Furthermore, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, there is provided the safety helmet including the sun visor assembly having the simple connecting configuration of the sun visor and the extended member, thereby effectively blocking the light.
While the invention has been shown and described with respect to the embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A safety helmet comprising:

a cap having a front opening portion;

a sun visor fixed on the cap to be protruded from an upper portion of the front opening portion toward the front; and

an extended member located on a front end portion of the sun visor to pivot about the sun visor.

2. The safety helmet of claim 1, wherein the extended member is connected to both lower end sides of the sun visor.

3. The safety helmet of claim 1, wherein the extended member includes a translucent or opaque region.

4. The safety helmet of claim 1, wherein the safety helmet further comprises a pivot controlling mechanism for pivoting the extended member about the sun visor in a step by step.

5. The safety helmet of claim 4, wherein the pivot controlling mechanism includes a protrusion formed on a lower side of the sun visor and more than one grooves, formed on an upper side of the extended member, for accommodating therein the protrusion when the extended member pivots about the sun visor.

6. The safety helmet of claim 5, wherein the pivot controlling mechanism includes a separation preventing portion, formed on a rear end portion of more than one grooves, for supporting the protrusion, and controls a pivot angle of the extended member with respect to the sun visor.

7. The safety helmet of claim 4, wherein the pivot controlling mechanism further includes magnetic members, attached on the lower side of the sun visor and the upper side of the extended member, for connecting with each other.

8. The safety helmet of claim 5, wherein the pivot controlling mechanism further includes an engaged portion formed adjacent to one groove except for a front and a rear groove among said more than one grooves and a stopper accommodated in the engaged portion when the protrusion is accommodated in said one groove.

9. A sun visor assembly fixed on a front portion of a cap of a safety helmet, the sun visor assembly comprising:

a sun visor fixed on the cap of the safety helmet having a front opening portion;

10. The sun visor assembly of claim 9, wherein the extended member is connected to both lower end sides of the sun visor.

11. The sun visor assembly of claim 9, wherein the extended member has a translucent or opaque region.

12. The sun visor assembly of claim 9, wherein the safety helmet further comprises a pivot controlling mechanism for pivoting the extended member about the sun visor in a step by step.

13. The sun visor assembly of claim 12, wherein the pivot controlling mechanism includes a protrusion formed on a lower side of the sun visor and more than one grooves, formed on an upper side of the extended member, for accommodating therein the protrusion when the extended member pivots about the sun visor.

14. The sun visor assembly of claim 13, wherein the pivot controlling mechanism includes a separation preventing portion, formed on a rear end portion of more than one grooves, for supporting the protrusion, and controls a pivot angle of the extended member with respect to the sun visor.

15. The sun visor assembly of claim 12, wherein the pivot controlling mechanism further includes magnetic members, attached on the lower side of the sun visor and the upper side of the extended member, for connecting with each other.

16. The sun visor assembly of claim 13, wherein the pivot controlling mechanism further includes an engaged portion formed adjacent to one groove except for a front and a rear groove among said more than one grooves and a stopper accommodated in the engaged portion when the protrusion is accommodated in said one groove.