Helmet

Abstract

The present invention concerns a helmet with reduced weight but improves energy absorbing possibilities and protection against penetration comprising at least a rigi outer shell and an inner portion of energy absorbing material. At least a portion of the rigid outer shell is thin and has a thickness of 0.01-4 mm, preferably 0.1-1.0 mm in order to collapse at a crash and thus absorb energy and that a coated net, coated woven or coated nonwoven material is at least partially provided between the rigid outer shell and the inner portion of energy absorbing material in order to at least compensate for the penetration protection loss due to the thin rigid outer shell.

Description

[0001]The present invention concerns a helmet comprising at least a rigid outer shell and an inner portion of energy absorbing material. Especially, the helmet is suitable for alpine sports, such as down hill skiing.BACKGROUND ART[0002]When designing a helmet certain safety factors are taken into account, such as energy absorbing ability, penetration resistance and weight. The challenge when designing a safe and comfortable helmet is to make it as light weight as possible while achieving a high energy absorbing ability and a high level of penetration resistance.[0003]Many helmet manufacturers reinforce the outer shell of their helmets with laminated glass or carbon fibres in order to improve the safety characteristics of the helmet while lowering the weight of the helmet. See for example EP 1 125 513 where a hardened and integrally assembled net or sheet member is used.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0004]The main object of the present invention is to reduce the weight of a helmet. The wei...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]An advantage of using a thinner rigid outer shell at least partially in the helmet is that it will absorb more shock energy due to partial collapsing of the thin rigid outer shell in a crash. Another advantage is that due to the partial collapsing of the outer shell bouncing of the helmet against the hit surface is reduced or even prevented.

[0006]Another object of the present invention is to improve the protection against penetration, which needs to be compensated for at the thin rigid outer shell. A solution is to provide a coated net, a coated woven or coated nonwoven material in the helmet, at least at the thin rigid outer shell, which is designed to withstand penetration of rocks, stones, branches and other objects that one may encounter in an action sport context and prevent that the object penetrates further through an inner portion of energy absorbing material of the helmet. Thus, if the present invention for penetration protection is combined with a thinner outer shell many advantages are achieved. The helmet may comprise more than one layer of outer shell and more than one layer of energy absorbing material.

Problems solved by technology

The challenge when designing a safe and comfortable helmet is to make it as light weight as possible while achieving a high energy absorbing ability and a high level of penetration resistance.

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