Protective helmet and means for connection of an accessory

• US 6,795,977 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2002
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MSA Production France
• Original Assignee: Gallet SA
• Inventors: Basson, Gilles, Schoepflin, Didier
• Primary Examiner(s): Lindsey, Rodney M.
• Application Number:
  US10/031,318
• Publication Number:
  US 20020148032A1
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 2/9, 242/4, 242/2, 2/61, 2/62, 2/63, 2/64, 2/65, 2/66, 2/67
• US Class Current: 2/422
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/042 Optical devices night vision goggles G02B23/12
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/22 Visors
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/32 Collapsible helmets; Helmets made of separable parts ; Helmets with movable parts, e.g. adjustable

Abstract

Protective helmet includes a main outer shell having a generally vertical plane of symmetry. At least a first accessory is removably connected to the main outer shell. At least a second accessory is removably connected to the main outer shell. A connecting and locking system is included. When the first accessory is removed, the second accessory can be removably connected to the main outer shell via the connecting and locking system, and when the second accessory is removed, the second accessory can be removably connected to the main outer shell via the connecting and locking system.

Claims

1. A protective helmet comprising:

a main outer shell having generally vertical plane of symmetry;

at least a first accessory being removably connected to the main outer shell;

at least a second accessory being removably connected to the main outer shell; and

a connecting and locking system comprising hooking pins arranged on the main outer shell and locking pieces arranged on each of the first and second accessories.

wherein, when the locking pieces detachably engaged and receive the hooking pins,

wherein, when the first accessory is removed, the second accessory can be removably connected to the main outer shell via the connecting and locking system, and wherein, when the second accessory is removed, the first accessory can be removably connected to the main outer shell via the and locking system.

2. The protective helmet of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second accessories comprises a clear visor, a tinted visor, and a support structure.

3. The protective helmet of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second accessories comprises a support structure for an optronic device.

4. The protective helmet of claim 3, wherein the optronic device comprises a night-vision device.

5. The protective helmet of claim 1, wherein, only when the first accessory is removed can the second accessory be removably connected to the main outer shell via the connecting and locking system, and wherein, only when the second accessory is removed can the first accessory be removably connected to the main outer shell via the connecting and locking system.

6. The protective helmet of claim 1, wherein the hooking pins comprises first and second hooking pins arranged on sides of the main outer shell and wherein the locking pieces comprise first and second hooking and locking pieces arranged on sides of each of the first and second accessories.

7. The protective helmet of claim 6, wherein the first and second hooking pins are fixed to the main outer shell.

8. The protective helmet of claim 6, wherein the first and second hooking and locking pieces are fixed to each of the first and second accessories.

9. The protective helmet of claim 6, wherein the first and second hooking pins are arranged to extend outwardly on both sides of corresponding lateral walls of the main outer shell along a transverse axis.

10. The protective helmet of claim 6, wherein each of the first and second hooking pins are cylindrically shaped.

11. The protective helmet of claim 6, wherein each of the first and second hooking pins comprise a hooking groove adapted to cooperate with a corresponding hooking piece of each of the first and second accessories.

12. The protective helmet of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second accessories have two locking pieces which each comprise a hooking and locking piece.

13. The protective helmet of claim 12, wherein each hooking and locking piece comprises a metal bar.

14. The protective helmet of claim 12, wherein each hooking and locking piece comprises a lock device which is at least one of pivotally and movably mounted.

15. The protective helmet of claim 14, wherein the lock device is biased by an elastic system.

16. The protective helmet of claim 14, wherein each hooking and locking piece comprises an open slot.

17. The protective helmet of claim 14, wherein the each lock device is connected to each hooking and locking piece via a journal.

18. The protective helmet of claim 14, wherein the lock device comprises a locking projection.

19. The protective helmet of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second accessories comprises a semi-spherical shaped wall made of a composite material.

20. The protective helmet of claim 19, wherein the semi-spherical shaped wall has a substantially triangular shape.

21. The protective helmet of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second accessories comprises an ocular protective screen.

22. The protective helmet of claim 21, wherein the ocular protective screen is pivotally movable about a transverse axis with respect to the main outer shell between at least two positions.

23. The protective helmet of claim 22, wherein one of the at least two positions is a lowered active position of use, whereby the ocular protective screen is arranged in front of a user'"'"'s eyes, and wherein another of the at least two positions is a raised inactive position of use, whereby the ocular protective screen is arranged above a portion of the main outer shell.

24. The protective helmet of claim 23, wherein the ocular protective screen is guided in a center of the helmet by a guiding and locking carriage.

25. The protective helmet of claim 24, wherein the guiding and locking carriage is movable in a central slide.

26. The protective helmet of claim 25, wherein the central slide is disposed on the main outer shell.

27. The protective helmet of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second accessories comprises a support structure and further comprising a protective screen.

28. The protective helmet of claim 27, further comprising a space arranged between the support structure and the protective screen.

29. The protective helmet of claim 28, wherein each of the support structure and the protective screen are movably mounted to the main outer shell.

30. The protective helmet of claim 28, wherein the protective screen is arranged between the support structure and the main outer shell.

31. The protective helmet of claim 30, wherein the support structure comprises at least one opening.

32. The protective helmet of claim 28, wherein at least one of the support structure and the projective screen is connected to a guiding carriage.

33. The protective helmet of claim 28, wherein the support structure comprises at least one opening.

34. The protective helmet of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second accessories comprises a protective screen.

35. A protective helmet comprising:

a main outer shell having a generally vertical plane of symmetry;

at least a first accessory being removably connected to the main outer shell;

at least a second accessory being removably connected to the main outer shell; and

a connecting and locking system,

wherein, when the first accessory is removed, the second accessory can be removably connected to the main outer shell via the connecting and locking system, and wherein, when the second accessory is removed, the second accessory can be removably connected to the main outer shell via the connecting and locking system,

wherein the connecting and locking system comprises hooking and locking pieces, each of the first and second accessories having two hooking and locking pieces,

wherein each hooking and locking piece comprises a lock device which is at least one of pivotally and movably mounted,

wherein the lock device biased by an elastic system, and

wherein the elastic system comprises a torsional spring.

36. A protective helmet comprising:

a main outer shell having a generally vertical plane of symmetry;

at least a first accessory being removably connected to the main outer shell;

at least a second accessory being removably connected to the main outer shell; and

a connecting and locking system,

wherein, when the first accessory is removed, the second accessory can be removably connected to the main outer shell via the connecting and locking system, and wherein, when the second accessory is removed, the second accessory can be removably connected to the main outer shell via the connecting and locking system,

wherein the connecting and locking system comprises hooking and locking pieces, each of the first and second accessories having two hooking and locking pieces,

wherein each hooking and locking piece comprises a lock device which is at least one of pivotally and movably mounted,

wherein the lock device comprises a locking projection, and

wherein each hooking and locking piece and each lock device define an opening that is adapted to cooperate with a corresponding hooking pin.

37. The protective helmet of claim 36, wherein each hooking pin is one of connected and fixed to the main outer shell.

38. A protective helmet comprising:

a main outer shell having a generally vertical plane of symmetry;

at least a first accessory being removably connected to the main outer shell;

at least a second accessory being removably connected to the main outer shell; and

a connecting and locking system,

wherein, when the first accessory is removed, the second accessory can be removably connected to the main outer shell via the connecting and locking system, and wherein, when the second accessory is removed, the second accessory can be removably connected to the main outer shell via the connecting and locking system.

wherein the connecting and locking system comprises hooking and locking pieces, each of the first and second accessories having two hooking and locking pieces,

wherein each hooking and locking piece comprises a lock device which is at least one of pivotally and movably mounted, and

wherein each lock device is pivoted downwardly against an action of a spring, and is biased upwardly by the spring.

39. A protective helmet comprising:

a main outer shell;

a first support structure adapted to be removably connected to the main outer shell;

a second support structure adapted to be removably connected to the main outer shell;

a protective screen movably mounted to the main outer shell; and

a connecting and locking system comprising hooking pins arranged on the main outer shell and locking pieces arranged on each of the first and second support structures,

wherein the locking pieces detachably engage and receive the hooking pins,

wherein, when the first support structure is removed, the second support structure is adapted to be removably connected to the main outer shell via the connecting and locking system, and wherein, when the second support structure is removed, the first support structure is adapted to be removably connected to the main outer shell via the connecting and locking system.

40. A protective helmet comprising:

a main outer shell;

a support structure adapted to be removably connected to the main outer shell;

a protective screen adapted to be removably connected to the main outer shell; and

a connecting and locking system comprising hooking pins arranged on the main outer shell and locking pieces arranged on each of the support structure and the protective screen,

wherein the locking pieces detachably engage and receive the booking pins,

wherein, when the support structure is removed, the protective screen is adapted to be removably connected to the main outer shell via the connecting and locking system, and wherein, when the protective screen is removed, the support structure is adapted to be removably connected to the main outer shell via the connecting and locking system.

41. A protective helmet comprising:

a main outer shell having generally vertical plane of symmetry;

at least one accessory removably connected to the main outer shell via a connection and locking system;

the connecting and locking system comprising;

first and second hooking pins arranged on the main outer shell; and

first and second connecting devices arranged on the at least one accessory,

the first connecting device comprising a first hooking member and a movably mounted first locking member;

the second connecting device comprising a second hooking member and a movably mounted second locking member;

the first hooking member and the movably mounted first locking member engaging an outer surface of the first hooking pin when the first connecting device is locked to the first hooking pin; and

the second hooking member and the movably mounted second locking member engaging an outer surface of the second hooking pin when the second connecting device is locked to the second hooking pin.