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EP-4739160-A1 - ADAPTER, CONFIGURED TO RELEASABLY ATTACH A CAMERA TO A FULL-FACE TYPE HELMET, AND A FULL-FACE TYPE HELMET COMPRISING SUCH AN ADAPTER

EP4739160A1EP 4739160 A1EP4739160 A1EP 4739160A1EP-4739160-A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adapter (25), configured to releasably attach a camera (23) for capturing a video image to a full-face type helmet (1), wherein: • - the adapter comprises a shape that corresponds to a shape of a recess (15) of a chin section (9) of the helmet to allow the adapter to be releasably attachable to said chin section; and • - the adapter comprises or defines one or more than one air duct (27) extending into the recess and configured to guide air towards a mouth of the user. The invention furthermore relates to a full-face type helmet for protecting a head of a user comprising such an adapter.

Inventors

  • KIMMANN, Niek Gerjan

Assignees

  • Nigeki B.V.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240627

Claims (14)

  1. 1. Adapter, configured to releasably attach a camera for capturing a video image to a full-face type helmet, wherein: the adapter comprises a shape that corresponds to a shape of a recess of a chin section of the helmet to allow the adapter to be releasably attachable to said chin section, characterized in that the adapter comprises or defines one or more than one air duct extending into the recess and configured to guide air towards a mouth of the user.
  2. 2. Adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more than one air duct is defined between the chin section and the adapter.
  3. 3. Adapter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more than one air duct is defined between the adapter and the camera.
  4. 4. A full-face type helmet for protecting a head of a user comprising: a shell for protecting a cranium of the head, a chin part attached to said shell, having a substantially U-shaped design comprising two cheek sections and a chin section that connects the cheek sections to one another at their ends opposite the shell, wherein the shell and the chin part together define a visor opening; and a camera system comprising a camera for capturing a video image, wherein the chin section comprises a recess, and wherein the camera system extends at least partially into the recess, characterized in that said helmet comprises an adapter according to claim 1 , wherein: the adapter of the camera system comprises the shape corresponding to the recess of the chin section to thereby releasably attach the camera to the chin section; and the adapter comprises or defines one or more than one air duct extending into the recess and configured to guide air towards a mouth of the user.
  5. 5. The full-face type helmet according to claim 4, wherein the camera system comprises a shape corresponding to the recess of the chin section (9).
  6. 6. The full-face type helmet according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the one or more than one air duct is defined between the chin section and the adapter.
  7. 7. The full-face type helmet according to any of claims 4-6, wherein the one or more than one air duct is defined between the adapter and the camera.
  8. 8. The full-face type helmet according to any of claims 2-4, wherein the adapter comprises one or more than one air guide that is configured to guide air into the one or more than one air duct.
  9. 9. The full-face type helmet (1) according to any of claims 4-8, wherein the camera system comprises a power source operably connectable to the camera.
  10. 10. The full-face type helmet according to claim 9, wherein the power source is arranged in the shell.
  11. 11. The full-face type helmet according to claim 10, wherein the power source is arranged in a back part of the shell.
  12. 12. The full-face type helmet according to any of claims 4-11 , wherein the camera system comprises one or more than one microphone.
  13. 13. The full-face type helmet according to claim 12, wherein the one or more than one microphone comprises a first microphone that is directed towards the user, and configured to record audio produced by the user.
  14. 14. The full-face type helmet according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the one or more than one microphone comprises a second microphone (26) that is directed away from the user, and configured to record audio from the environment.

Description

Title: Adapter, configured to releasably attach a camera to a full-face type helmet, and a full-face type helmet comprising such an adapter Field of the invention The present invention relates to an adapter that is configured to releasably attach a camera, in particular a camera for capturing a video image, to a full-face type helmet. The present invention furthermore relates to a full-face type helmet comprising such an adapter. Background of the invention Helmets for cycling and motorcycling are well known in the art. One type of helmet is a full-face helmet that covers the entire face of the person wearing the helmet to provide optimal protection during action sports. Full face helmets typically include an outer shell with two main openings, wherein the front opening may be covered by a visor, and the lower opening covers the head of the person wearing the helmet and accommodates the neck of the person wearing the helmet. These fullface helmets are for instance commonly used in bicycle motocross (BMX), motocross, (down-hill or enduro) mountainbiking, racing, and in wintersports. In action sports, there has been a trend towards mounting cameras on helmets, including full-face helmets, over the last few years. Conventionally, cameras are often mounted on the top of the helmet, or at a side of the helmet. Cameras mounted in this way have several disadvantages. A camera mounted on top of or at a side of the helmet is prone to being damaged. Also, the helmet itself is often in the recorded field of view of the camera. In addition, these locations of a camera might make putting on goggles or other equipment more difficult. Further, when the camera records sounds the camera will pick up a lot of wind noise. Mounting a camera more close to the forehead of the user would overcome some of these drawbacks. However, this would compromise the structural integrity of the helmet, leading to suboptimal safety of the helmet. An alternative way of mounting the camera to the helmet is with a chin mount. A chin mount attaches a camera to the helmet at the location of the chin of the user. This has the advantage of the helmet not being in the recorded field of view of the camera. However, the chin mount is protruding forward relative to the helmet, which has several disadvantages. Firstly, the weight of the chin mount and the camera may cause the helmet to be displaced (drop forward), disrupting the view of the user and leading to suboptimal protection of the user’s head. Secondly, when performing jumps the chin mount can come into contact with the handlebar, which may inadvertently adjust the position or orientation of the camera relative to the helmet, damage the camera, displace the helmet on the user’s head or cause the (motor) bike to be moved in an unwanted direction. United States patent application US 2022/031006 A1 is considered the closest prior art, and discloses a protective helmet for motorcycle riders, pilots or racing car drivers that comprises a visual communication system. The visual communication system comprises an array of light emitting devices arranged inside the helmet in a manner such that light emitted by the light emitting devices is visible to a user of the helmet. The light emitting devices are configured to emit specific light patterns, a pattern being associated with a specific driving or riding aid. The array of light emitting devices is located outside of the user field of view and the generated light signal is directed towards a peripheral vision portion of the user. The helmet furthermore comprises a forward mounted camera arranged to film the environment in the field of view of the user, that is arranged in the chin section of the helmet. Relative to this prior art document, at least the characterizing features of claim 1 are novel. United States patent applications US 2006/277666 A1 and US 2017/127746 A1 disclose helmets that comprise a camera that is mounted at the location of the forehead. United States patent application US 2005/278833 A1 , as well as international patent application WO 2016/140384 A1 and the German patent application DE 10 2013 019775 A1 , are acknowledged as further prior art. Thus, there is a need for a solution that is able to provide full-face helmet with a camera system that overcomes these disadvantages. Object of the invention It is an object of the invention to provide for a full-face helmet with an improved camera system. It is a further object of the invention to provide for a full-face helmet with a camera system that provides a realistic point-of-view, while not compromising the structural integrity of the helmet. It is a further object of the invention to provide for a full-face helmet with a camera system that combines a realistic point-of-view and improved user comfort, while not compromising the structural integrity of the helmet. Summary of the invention Said objective is achieved with the adapter, configured to releasably attach a camera for capt