Helmet comprising a movable visor with a vertical axis of rotation

Abstract

The invention relates to a helmet comprising at least one movable visor and a shell to protect the head of the wearer, characterized in that the visor is attached to a support connected to the outer surface of the shell by a rotary mechanism making it possible to move the visor around the shell, the rotary mechanism consisting of a single mechanical connection positioned substantially at the top of the shell.The invention is designed particularly for the military aviation field and also applies to helmets comprising several visors.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]This application claims priority to French Patent Application Number 08 06619, entitled Casque Comportant Une Visiere Mobile Avec Un Axe De Rotation Vertical, filed on Nov. 25, 2008.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The field of the invention relates to helmets comprising a supporting shell and at least one protective visor.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]A helmet for a pilot of an aircraft, particularly a war plane, is usually a multifunctional helmet and is fitted with visors. Such a helmet comprises a rigid supporting shell that surrounds the top cover, the rear and the lateral portions of the head of the wearer. The helmet comprises visors through which the wearer of the helmet can see his environment; these visors are most often able to be retracted to the top of the head and provide protection for the face against various assaults (wind, dust, light or violent lighting, etc.). For night flights, a night vision system may be interposed in front of the eyes of the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The object of the invention is to propose a helmet making it possible to alleviate the aforementioned problems. More precisely, the invention is a helmet comprising at least one movable visor and a shell to protect the head of the wearer, characterized in that the visor is attached to a support connected to the outer surface of the shell by a rotary mechanism making it possible to move the visor around the shell, the rotary mechanism consisting of a single mechanical connection positioned substantially at the top of the shell.

[0010]The rotary mechanism comprising a single mechanical connection at the top of the helmet makes it possible to free up usable space on the lateral faces of the helmet. The mechanism for rotating and holding the visor is simplified and positioned in a space that was previously not used. Consequently, the rotary and holding mechanism does not encumber the space around the electronic systems. The constraints of design of the electronic systems are reduced and make it possible to reduce the cost of the electronics.

[0011]An additional feature of the helmet is that the rotary mechanism makes it possible to move the support of the visor between two positions, a first position of use of the visor for which the visor is positioned at the front face of the helmet and a second position for stowing the visor for which the visor is positioned at the rear of the helmet. In order to move the visor between the position of use and the position of stowage, the visor moves along the lateral portions of the helmet.

Problems solved by technology

The helmet visors are subject to several problems:A first problem is that these visors must be able to be stowed easily and quickly.

The presence of many electronic systems becomes inconvenient for handling the visor whether it be for raising it or removing it from the helmet.

The presence of the onboard electronic systems in the same location as the kinematics mechanisms of the visor impose additional constraints on the design of the electronic systems.

This involves a miniaturization of the electronic systems and consequently an increase in their cost and also a reduction in their performance.A second problem originates from the weight of the visor, from the associated mechanisms and from the integrated electronic systems.

Consequently, the centre of gravity of the helmet is positioned at the front and towards the top of the head of the wearer thus increasing the risk of trauma due to muscular fatigue of the pilot.A third problem comes from the fact that the visor is raised to the top of the helmet in the stowage position.

In flight, the risk of impact for a pilot most frequently originates from the top of his head in the event of sudden loss of altitude or turbulence.

The top of the helmet is therefore the most risky zone for the visor.

This zone has a risk of impact with the front panels of the cockpit.

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