CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from South African provisional patent application number 2022/1 1711 filed on 27 October 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a helmet, more particularly, to a helmet for use in sports.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A helmet is an item of protective gear worn to protect a user’s head from head injury. Helmets are used in a number of situations, including, but not limited to, construction and sports such as cricket, baseball, cycling, motorcycling, and climbing.

Helmets are primarily designed to prevent head lacerations, concussion or fractures. Most helmets include a hard outer shell and a soft inner padding. This inner padding may be attached directly to the hard outer shell or, alternatively, the helmet may comprise a hard outer shell connected to and covering an inner shell which include such inner padding. Furthermore, some helmets, such as cycling helmets, include a chin strap to secure the helmet to a user’s head. Upon impact, the user’s head will accelerate towards the helmet and will hit the helmet at a point adjacent to the point of impact, whether the impact be caused by contact with the ground, for example if the user falls off a bicycle, or impact from a flying object, for example, a cricket ball. As such, a helmet must be designed so as to withstand both an external compressible force, from the ground or flying object, as well as an inner force caused by the head compressing the helmet from within. The outer shell of the helmet should therefore be rigid enough to withstand the external force whilst the inner shell should be cushioned enough to decelerate the head within the helmet.

One type of helmet available comprises an outer shell and an inner support layer that is separated from the outer shell. The effectiveness of such a helmet depends on the rigidity of the outer shell. If the outer shell is pliable, it will buckle and thereby encroach on any separation between the outer shell and inner support layer. Such a helmet will do little to nothing to reduce the peak impact or rotational force of a projectile hitting the helmet. Some helmets, such as cricket helmets, may further include additions such as grilles which can aid in protection of a user’s face. Generally, such grilles are formed of relatively rigid wire or elongate, rod-like elements extending in front of the user’s face. Such a grille will be attached at either side of the helmet, which in use, will be positioned at the user’s ears. The grille will then extend between the two attachment points, to cover the user’s face. Such a helmet has the disadvantage that the user’s neck is not protected. A helmet with a grille is used in sports such as cricket, instead of full-face helmets, so that the helmet has a reduced weight, improved visibility, and better ventilation, albeit whilst compromising protection of the user’s head, neck and face.

Finally, a further feature generally included in helmets is a size adjustment means to ensure a snug fit of the helmet over the user’s head. Such size adjustment means comprise a band which either runs round the circumference of the user’s head, or just around a back part of a user’s head, with an adjuster which allows for tightening or loosening of the helmet. Tightening of this band will move the user’s head closer to the front of the helmet. In sports such as cricket, hockey and baseball, where the impact expected is in the form of a ball hitting the front of a user’s head or face, this is disadvantageous as any gap between the user’s head and the expected impact is reduced when the helmet is tightened.

There is accordingly scope for improvement.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in the art as at the priority date of the application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided a sports helmet comprising: an inner shell configured to receive a user’s head; an outer shell configured to substantially house the inner shell, wherein the inner shell is secured to the outer shell by a single rigid attachment means configured to permit partial movement of the inner shell and the outer shell relative to each other; and a rigid grille, wherein the inner shell is secured to the rigid grille. A part of the grille may be positioned at an operatively front end of the sports helmet configured to substantially cover a user’s face in use and a further part of the grille may operatively extend around a circumference of the user’s head.

The inner shell may be secured to the grille by an attachment means which passes through the outer shell.

The inner shell may be secured to the grille at an operatively rear end of the sports helmet. The grille may be secured to outer shell at two positions at a right and a left side of the sports helmet.

The inner shell and the outer shell may be configured such that a gap is present between the inner shell and the outer shell. Furthermore, the inner shell may be positioned within the outer shell such that the gap between the inner shell and the outer shell is largest at the operatively front end of the sports helmet.

The rigid attachment means may be positioned at an operatively rear end of the sports helmet. Alternatively, the rigid attachment means may be positioned at either the left or right side of the sports helmet.

The grille may be secured to the inner shell at the position of the rigid attachment means, such that a single attachment means may secure both the outer shell and the grille to the inner shell.

The inner shell may be spaced apart from the outer shell by one or more compressible elements. One of the compressible elements may include a compressible material configured to fill at least a portion of the gap between the inner shell and the outer shell at the operatively front end of the sports helmet.

The outer shell may be configured to deform under impact into the gap between the inner shell and the outer shell.

The grille may include two or more rings secured together along a part of their circumference and extending in inclined planes configured to surround the user’s head.

The sports helmet may further include a strap secured to the left and right sides of the sports helmet having a clasp, configured to be positioned under a user’s chin to secure the sports helmet in position whilst in use. The sports helmet may be a cricket helmet. Alternatively, the sports helmet may be a baseball helmet.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective top view of a sports helmet;

Figure 2 is a perspective bottom view of the sports helmet of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a left side view of the sports helmet of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a left side view of the sports helmet of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the sports helmet of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a top view of the sports helmet of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 is a front view of the sports helmet of Figure 1 ;

Figure 8 is a rear view of the sports helmet of Figure 1 ;

Figure 9 is a bottom view of the sports helmet of Figure 1 , including a compressible element;

Figure 10 is a bottom view of the sports helmet of Figure 1 , including a compressible element and excluding a grille;

Figure 11 is a sectional front view of the sports helmet of Figure 1 ;

Figure 12 is a sectional left side view of the sports helmet of Figure 1 , including a compressible element and excluding a grille; and Figure 13 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an inner shell of a sports helmet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a sports helmet comprising an inner shell configured to receive a user’s head, an outer shell configured to substantially house the inner shell, and a rigid grille. The inner shell is connected to the outer shell by a single rigid attachment means wherein the rigid attachment means is configured to permit partial movement of the inner shell and the outer shell relative to each other. The inner shell is secured to the rigid grille.

A part of the grille may be positioned at an operatively front end of the sports helmet configured to substantially cover or extend over a user’s face in use and a further part of the grille may extend around a circumference of the user’s head in use. This extension of the grille around the entirety of the user’s head offers protection to the user’s neck. This protection of the neck offered by the grille may negate a need for a user to wear any neck guard or stem guard. The grille may be constructed from metal or any other suitable rigid material. The material of construction of the grille is such that the grille is structurally rigid and cannot easily be compressed at any angle. The grille may include a network of rigid, elongate metal elements, hereinafter termed “wires”. The wires may be arranged to substantially cover the user’s face and offer protection to the user’s face and neck by obstructing any articles which may come into contact with the grille, such as balls used in cricket or baseball.

The grille may be secured or attached to the inner shell at an operatively rear end of the sports helmet. The grille may further be secured to outer shell at two further positions at a right and a left side of the sports helmet. The grille may be secured to the inner shell and the outer shell by any suitable attachment means, such as screws, nuts and bolts, clamps, and the like, or by providing complementary elements providing a snap, friction or other suitable fit.

The inner shell and the outer shell may be configured such that a gap is generally present between the inner shell and the outer shell. Thus, for example, the inner shell may be shaped to provide an only partially complementary fit within the outer shell, and not a snug fit. Furthermore, the inner shell may be positioned within the outer shell such that the gap between the inner shell and the outer shell is largest at the operatively front end of the sports helmet. The inner shell may be made from expanded polystyrene, expanded polypropylene, expanded polyurethane, carbon fibre, fibreglass, or any other suitable material. The inner shell may be constructed using 3-dimensional printing. The inner shell may be custom built to exactly fit the shape and dimensions of a user’s head.

The rigid attachment means may be positioned at an operatively rear end of the sports helmet. Alternatively, or additionally, the rigid attachment means may be positioned at either the left or right side of the sports helmet. The rigid attachment means may provide an attachment by way of screws, nuts and bolts, hardened glue, a clamp, and the like, or by providing complementary elements providing a snap, friction or other suitable fit.

The grille may be secured to the inner shell at the position of the rigid attachment means, such that a single attachment means may attach both the outer shell and the grille to the inner shell. In one embodiment, both the grille and the inner shell may be secured to the outer shell by one or more fasteners, such as a nut and bolt arrangement, wherein a bolt traverses the grille, the inner shell and the outer shell, and a nut secures a free end of the bolt.

The inner shell may further be spaced apart from the outer shell by one or more compressible elements. One of the compressible elements may include a compressible material configured to fill a portion of the gap between the inner shell and the outer shell at the operatively front end of the sports helmet. The compressible material may be provided by foam, compressible plastic, or any other suitable compressible material. Additionally, or alternatively, this material may be an elastic material. The elastic material can be used to limit movement of the inner shell by acting under tension and increasing the tension, and therefore the restraining force, as it moves. The elastic material may be attached at the same point or points of attachment as the grille. The compressible element may further restrict movement of the inner shell and the outer shell relative to each other, when no force is exerted directly onto the helmet - for example, when a user wearing the helmet is running.

The outer shell may be made of a substantially rigid material and may be configured to deform, preferably resiliently, under impact and deform into the gap between the inner shell and the outer shell. The outer shell may be configured to deform to such an extent that substantial deformation of the inner shell as a result of force exerted by the outer shell is mitigated. Therefore, the outer shell may be constructed of any suitable material, such as plastic, expanded plastic, fiberglass, and the like. The grille may include two or more rings which operatively extend around the user’s head. In an embodiment, the rings may be secured along part of their circumference and extend in inclined planes such that they diverge away from each other. The rings may be constructed from elongate metal elements, such as wires or rods, which are rigid. The rings may be connected by further connecting elements, which may also be rods or wires, and which are secured transverse to the rings, such that a grille arrangement is created. The rings and connecting elements may be arranged and spaced apart such that the gaps therebetween in the grille are small enough that a ball or other flying object cannot pass through the grille and the user’s face is therefore protected. Thus, if the helmet is intended for use in a specific sport, such as cricket, baseball or hockey, the size of the gaps will be smaller than the typical ball or puck size used in that sport.

The configuration of the sports helmet and the positioning of the grille is such that the rigidity of grille confers structural integrity to the sports helmet. Compression of the sports helmet at any point will be restricted as a result of the rigidity of the grille.

The sports helmet may further include a strap secured to the left and right sides of the sports helmet having a clasp, configured to be positioned under a user’s chin to secure the sports helmet in position whilst in use. In particular, the clasp may be a snap buckle manufactured from plastic or any other suitable material. The strap may be manufactured from any suitable flexible material and may further include padding.

The sports helmet may be a cricket helmet. Alternatively, the sports helmet may be a baseball helmet.

Figures 1 to 13 illustrate example embodiments of the above described sports helmet according to aspects of the present disclosure.

The sports helmet (1 ) includes an inner shell (3) an outer shell (5) and a rigid grille (7). The inner shell (3) is configured to receive a user’s head such that the user’s forehead to their nape is covered, as well as both sides of their head. The outer shell (5) is moulded from a rigid plastic material, in this embodiment, polypropylene material, and is configured to house the inner shell (3) and cover the entirety of an outer surface of the inner shell (3).

The inner shell (3) is moulded from a compressible material, in this embodiment expanded polystyrene, and is secured to the outer shell (5) by a single rigid attachment means (9). The rigid attachment (9) is positioned near a lower side of both of the inner shell (3) and the outer shell (5) and is configured to permit partial movement of the inner shell (3) and the outer shell (5) relative to each other, as a result of the positioning of the rigid attachment means (9). This positioning of the rigid attachment means (9) is most clearly illustrated in the sectional view shown in Figure 12.

The rigid attachment means (9) may include a plurality of small parts, which combined form a single attachment means, or a single part. In this embodiment, as shown most clearly in Figure 8, the attachment means (9) includes two bolts (39) which are positioned adjacent to each other and proximate an operatively rear end (13) of the sports helmet (1 ). The bolts (39) are threaded and traverse the components to be secured. A complementary threaded nut (65) engages with a free end of each bolt (39) to secure the components together. In this embodiment, the attachment means (9) secures the grille (7) to both the inner shell (3) and the outer shell (5). The grille (7) includes a flange (31 ) with suitable apertures therein (not shown) which extends therefrom between the inner shell (3) and the outer shell (5). The bolts (39) extend through apertures in the flange (31 ), which extends between the inner shell (3) and outer shell (5), as well as the inner shell (3) and the outer shell (5), and the complementary nuts (65) are secured on each free end of the bolts (39).

The grille (7) includes a network of rigid, elongate metal elements, or wires, arranged such that the user’s face will operatively be substantially covered by the grille (7). The grille (7) extends around the circumference and below the inner shell (3) and the outer shell (5), such that, in use, the user’s head is surrounded by it. The grille (7) is wider at an operatively front end (11 ) of the sports helmet (1 ) than at the operatively rear end (13). Thus, the wires converge or generally abut each other at the rear end (13) and are generally spaced apart from each other at the front end (1 1 ), as is shown most clearly in Figures 2, 3, and 4.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the grille (7), in this embodiment, includes two wire rings (41 , 43) secured along part of their circumference at the operative rear and extending in inclined planes such that they diverge away from each other towards the operative front. A pair of generally U- shaped struts (45, 47) are secured to the rings (41 , 43) at an incline. The struts (45, 47) are secured to each other at a central point along their lengths (49) and diverge away from each other at their ends (for example, 51). As shown in Figure 7, a pair of connecting wires (53, 55) extend transversely to the rings (41 , 43) and secure the rings (41 , 43) to the struts (45, 47) at the front end (11 ) of the sports helmet (1 ) in a grid-like configuration. As shown in Figure 3, a further U- shaped connecting wire (57) is secured at its ends (59) to one of the struts (45) and centrally along its length to the flange (31) at the rear end of the helmet.

In this embodiment, the elements (41 , 43, 45, 47, 53, 55, 57) forming the grille (7) are secured together by welding. The elements can be made of any suitable metal, including steel and titanium.

The grille (7) is secured to the inner shell (3) and, or alternatively, the outer shell (5) at the operatively rear end (13) thereof. In this embodiment, as is shown most clearly in Figures 5 and 9, the grille (7) is secured to both of the inner shell (3) and the outer shell (5) at the operatively rear end of the sports helmet (1 ) by a rear attachment means (31 ).

The grille (7) is further secured to the outer shell (5) at two further points, these being located at the right side (15) and left side (17) of the sports helmet, by a right attachment means (27) and a left attachment means (25). The grille (7) is configured such that the user’s ears are covered by the grille (7) where the grille (7) meets the right attachment means (27) and the left attachment means (25). The right attachment means (27) and the left attachment means (25) may comprise any suitable fastening means so as to rigidly connect the grille (7) to the outer shell (5). In the present embodiment an outwardly extending, downwardly lipped flange (25, 27) with closed ends is provided at the right side and left side and screws through the flange secure in threaded eyelets in the ends of the struts (45, 47).

The inner shell (3) and the outer shell (5) are shaped and configured such that the outer shell (5) is larger than the inner shell (3) and there is therefore a gap between the inner shell (3) and the outer shell (5) at any point where the inner shell (3) is not secured to the outer shell (5). As is shown most clearly in Figures 5, 1 1 and 12, the inner shell (3) is housed within the outer shell (5) and positioned such that the gap (21 ) between the inner shell (3) and the outer shell (5) is largest at the operatively front end (11 ) of the sports helmet (1 ). This gap (21 ) at the operatively front end (11 ) of the sports helmet allows the inner shell (3) to elongate into the gap upon impact and move independently of the outer shell (5), or for the outer shell (5) to deform towards the inner shell (3) upon receiving an impact in that region.

In this embodiment, as is shown most clearly in Figure 5, the rigid attachment means (9) is located at the operatively rear end (13) of the sports helmet (1 ). Therefore, the inner shell (3) is secured to the outer shell (5) by the single rigid attachment means (9) at the operatively rear end (13) of the sports helmet (1 ). This allows for a single attachment means to be used to attach the inner shell (3), the outer shell (5), and the grille (7) together. For example, and as is the case in this embodiment, two screws (39) transverse the inner shell (3), the outer shell (5), and the grille (7) to attach all three components to each other in a rigid manner, as illustrated in Figure 8. This rear attachment point of the inner shell (3) and the grille (7) allows the inner shell to elongate towards the operatively front end (1 1 ) of the sports helmet (1 ) into the gap (21 ). The user’s head limits the extent of this elongation, as the head will be squeezed by the inner shell (3) upon impact, whilst the head is simultaneously restrained from moving forwards by the rear attachment to the grille (7). The restraining nature of the rear attachment point increases the surface area of the inner shell (3) that is involved in the impact, thus separating the impact force experienced by the outer shell (3) and the impact force experienced by the user, which is transmitted via the inner shell (3).

In further embodiments (not shown) the rigid attachment means may be located at a side of the sports helmet, adjacent to an ear of the user. Such a configuration is preferable when it is anticipated that an impact force will be exerted on the helmet from a side, for example, in baseball.

The inner shell (3) is further spaced apart from to the outer shell (5) by a, compressible, element (61 ) as illustrated in Figures 9, 10, and 12. This element (61 ) has a generally crescent shape to be complementary to the gap (21 ) and is secured in place, in this embodiment using an adhesive, in the gap (21 ) between the inner shell (3) and the outer shell (5) at the operatively front end (1 1 ) of the sports helmet (1 ). The element (61 ) is manufactured to be compressible and to absorb impact. In one embodiment, the element (61 ) is manufactured from resiliently compressible plastic, however further embodiments provide for this compressible element to be manufactured from foam, gel or sponge. Alternatively, the element may be rigid but of a honeycomb type construction which permits non-resilient deformation. The element (61 ) provides further stability of the inner shell (3) within the outer shell (5) without eliminating the movement of the inner shell (3) within the outer shell (5). Therefore, the inner shell (3) may still elongate upon impact, and the element will be compressed upon impact, by the force exerted thereon by the inner shell (3).

In a further embodiment, as shown in Figure 13, the inner shell (300) may include recesses (301) and protrusions (303), wherein the recesses (301 ) may assist in providing gaps between the outer shell and the inner shell (300). In the exemplary embodiment, the recesses are positioned such that two recesses are located at an operatively front side (31 1 ) of the inner shell (300) and two further recesses are located at an operatively rear side (313) of the inner shell (300).

The outer shell (5) is constructed of a material that is configured to compress upon impact and deform into the gap (21 ) between the inner shell (3) and the outer shell (5). This deformation prolongs the impact time between the sports helmet (1) and a projectile hitting the sports helmet (1 ). This prolonged interaction reduced the peak impact force experienced by the user.

The sports helmet further includes a strap (not shown) configured to secure the sports helmet to the user’s head. The strap is secured to the right side and the left side of the sports helmet, and is configured to be positioned under the user’s chin. The strap includes a clasp, in particular, a snap buckle, which allows for the strap to be unlipped for taking the sports helmet off. The strap further includes a tightening mechanism, to ensure a tight fit.

The sports helmet further includes a size adjustment mechanism (not shown) for adjusting the size of the sports helmet to fit the size of the user’s head. The size adjustment mechanism is configured to pull the head away from the operatively front end of the helmet, towards the operatively rear end of the helmet.

The sports helmet further includes ventilation apertures (29). These ventilation apertures (29) are positioned at an operatively top side of the sports helmet, to improve air flow within the helmet and thereby improve the user’s comfort. The sports helmet may further include any another suitable feature, such as a peak and internal cushioning.

In use, the components of the sports helmet are arranged and secured together such that the rigidity of the sports helmet is dependent on the rigidity of the grille.

In this embodiment, the sports helmet is a cricket helmet. In the sport of cricket, a cricket helmet is worn to protect the user’s head from being hit by a cricket ball, or in some cases, a cricket bat. In general, the impact is expected to hit the operatively front end of the helmet. In use, the projectile, such as the cricket ball, will hit the front of the user’s helmet. On impact the head will accelerate forwards, toward the impact. The accelerating head, within the inner shell, will pull on the attachment point between the inner shell and the grille, thereby causing the inner shell to distort and become slightly oval in shape. This causes the wearer to experience impact force on both the front area of impact and also on the sides and top of the head as the inner shell is elongated and squeezes the head. As the inner shell flexes, the surface area of impact is increased, thereby reducing the impact exerted onto the user’s head.

In a further embodiment, the sports helmet is a baseball helmet. In the sport of baseball, a baseball helmet is worn to protect the user’s head from being hit by a baseball or a baseball bat. In general, the impact is expected to hit a left or right side of the helmet. Therefore, in such embodiments, the inner shell will be rigidly secured to the outer shell at a right or left side of the sports helmet.

The impact force is further reduced by the deformation of the outer shell, as it yields to the force of the projectile. The force transferred from the projectile to the outer shell will be eliminated or greatly reduced, and only little to no force will be transferred to the inner shell as a result of the gap between the outer shell and the inner shell. Therefore, the force transferred to the user will be minimized or eliminated. The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure.

The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon.

Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

Finally, throughout the specification and accompanying claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word ‘comprise’ or variations such as ‘comprises’ or ‘comprising’ will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.