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EP-4740773-A1 - PROTECTIVE HELMET WITH A REVERSIBLE LOCKABLE RECESS FOR CABLE FEEDTHROUGH

EP4740773A1EP 4740773 A1EP4740773 A1EP 4740773A1EP-4740773-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective helmet (1), a method for manufacturing such a protective helmet (1), a method for equipping such a protective helmet (1) with a communication system, and finally a system comprising a protective helmet (1) and a communication system. According to the proposal, a recess (18) is provided for the passage of a cable (12) of a communication system, which is reversibly closable with a molded part (17).

Inventors

  • KRINOWSKY, SVEN

Assignees

  • Schuberth GmbH

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20251103

Claims (15)

  1. Protective helmet (1), in particular motorcycle helmet, with: - an outer shell (9) for distributing impact forces, wherein the outer shell (9) has an outer surface (9a) facing the external environment and wherein the outer shell (9) has an inner surface (9i) opposite the outer surface (9a) and facing a helmet interior (8); and - an inner layer (10) for damping impact forces, wherein the inner layer (10) is arranged inside the inner side (9i) of the outer shell (9); characterized by the fact that The protective helmet (1) has a recess (18) for the passage of a cable (12) of a communication system, which recess (18) is designed to be reversibly closed by a molded part (17), or is closed in a closed state of the recess (18), such that, by manually removing and reinserting the molded part (17), the cable (12) of the communication system can be manually connected to or detached from the protective helmet (1) without damaging any structural components of the protective helmet (1), and the closed state of the recess (18) is maintained after the molded part (17) has been reinserted.
  2. Protective helmet (1) according to claim 1, wherein the recess (18) is arranged on a bottom side (4) of the protective helmet (1).
  3. Protective helmet (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an underside end edge profile of the protective helmet (1) has the recess (18).
  4. Protective helmet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the molded part (17) is a rubber molded part.
  5. Protective helmet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the molded part (17) has on its upper side a locking projection (22), preferably partially circumferential, which locking projection (22) is such that is dimensioned such that the locking projection (22) extends beyond a clear opening width of the recess (18) in at least one direction in such a way that the locking projection (22) engages behind an edge (19) of the recess (18) in the state of the recess (18) being closed by means of the molded part (17) and holds the molded part (17) in the recess (18).
  6. Protective helmet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the recess (18) is surrounded by a stepped area (27) in which a lower side (17u) of the molded part (17) is recessed in the recess (18) closed by means of the molded part (17); wherein, preferably, the underside (17u) in the state of the recess (18) being closed by means of the molded part (17) is essentially flush with an area surrounding the underside (17u).
  7. Protective helmet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the molded part (17) has a free distance (28) between a bottom surface (17u) and a lateral projection extending upwards in the vertical direction of the molded part (17), in particular the locking projection (22), wherein a vertical extent of the free distance (28) is dimensioned to be smaller than a thickness of an edge region of the recess (18) corresponding in the closed state of the recess (18) by means of the molded part (17), such that the edge region of the recess (18) is clamped between the bottom surface (17u) and the lateral projection, in particular the locking projection (22), of the molded part (17) in the closed state of the recess (18).
  8. Protective helmet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the recess (18) is at least partially open to one side, preferably towards the center of the helmet.
  9. Protective helmet (1) according to claim 8, wherein an edge (19) surrounding the recess (18) has at least one projection (29), preferably two opposing projections (29), on the partially open side, wherein the projection (29), in particular the projections (29), is/are designed to engage behind a widening of a shaft section (23) of the molded part (17) in the closed state of the recess (18) by means of the molded part (17) and thus secure the molded part (17) against lateral loosening in the direction of the partially open side of the recess (18).
  10. Protective helmet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inner layer (10) has a channel (11) for guiding the cable (12), in particular for subsequent guidance following the intended passage of the cable (12) through the recess (18) of the protective helmet (1), preferably on an inner side (10i) of the inner layer (10) facing the helmet interior (8); and/or wherein the inner layer (10) has a recess (13) for receiving a loudspeaker, preferably on an inner side (10i) of the inner layer (10) facing the helmet interior (8); wherein, preferably, the channel (11) for guiding the cable (12) opens into the recess (13) for receiving the loudspeaker.
  11. Method for manufacturing a protective helmet (1), preferably a protective helmet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein an outer shell (9) and an inner layer (10), arranged inside an inner surface (9i) of the outer shell (9), are provided, characterized in that The protective helmet (1) is equipped with a recess (18) for the passage of a cable (12) of a communication system, wherein the recess (18) is arranged to be reversibly closed by means of a molded part (17), or is closed in a closed state of the recess (18), such that, by means of manually removing and reinserting the molded part (17), the cable (12) of the communication system can be manually connected to or detached from the protective helmet (1) as intended, without causing damage to the structural components of the protective helmet (1), and wherein, after reinserting the molded part (17), the closed state of the recess (18) is maintained.
  12. Method for equipping a protective helmet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10 with a communication system, wherein the protective helmet (1) is in the state of the recess (18) being closed by means of the molded part (17), comprising the following steps: - Removing the molded part (17) from the recess (18); - Guiding the cable (12), preferably including the plug, through the recess (18); and - Closing the recess (18) with the molded part (17).
  13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the cable (12) is led to a/the recess (13) for receiving a/the loudspeaker.
  14. System comprising a protective helmet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and a communication system, wherein the communication system comprises a cable (12), preferably including a plug.
  15. System according to claim 14, wherein the cable (12) is arranged to run through the recess (18) of the protective helmet (1) for the passage of the cable (12) of the communication system; wherein, preferably, the cable (12) is connected at one end to a loudspeaker and at its opposite end to a control unit and/or a power supply unit of the communication system.

Description

The present invention relates to a protective helmet, such as those intended for motorcyclists. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a protective helmet, a method for equipping a protective helmet with a communication system, and a system comprising a protective helmet and a communication system. In the field of protective helmets, particularly motorcycle helmets, it is of paramount importance that the structural components remain intact throughout the helmet's use, thus ensuring continuous protection against impact forces for the wearer. In known systems, this is achieved primarily through an outer shell that distributes the impact forces and an inner layer that dampens these forces. Modern protective helmets are also often equipped with additional features, such as integrated communication systems that allow the wearer to communicate or receive instructions while riding. Currently, communication systems in safety helmets are either integrated at the factory, providing a complete system consisting of a helmet and a communication system. This often involves permanently installed cables and speakers, for example, those bonded or glued to the helmet. These systems often require complex installation during manufacturing and can compromise the helmet's structural integrity if subsequent modifications are necessary. The connection points, particularly adhesive joints, can be damaged when the communication system or its components are replaced, potentially harming structural components where these connection points are often located. This can compromise the safety of the safety helmet. Furthermore, there are also protective helmets that are not equipped with a communication system as standard. In these cases, helmet wearers often equip their helmets themselves. They unilaterally equip protective helmets with communication systems, which also involves routing the cables for these systems. In doing so, they regularly make openings, cutouts, and similar alterations to the helmet, for example, by cutting or piercing the inner layers of the helmet or, alternatively, the helmet's edge profiles. This damages structural components of the helmet that are designed to distribute and absorb impact forces or otherwise protect the structural components from mechanical damage. This compromises the safety of the protective helmet. If the helmet wearer does not take any such damaging measures to route the cable to the helmet, the cable will usually be routed in a way that is disruptive to the wearer or interferes with the interaction of the helmet's components (such as the inner padding and the inner lining). It is detrimental, and also to the operational reliability of the communication system itself, if the cable lies loosely on the inside of the inner lining or even extends into the padding or the helmet's interior. Furthermore, arranging to glue or otherwise fix the cable to any existing structural components of the helmet is undesirable in order to maintain the integrity of these components. Therefore, one of the problems underlying the present invention is to provide a protective helmet or a system comprising a protective helmet and a communication system that at least partially overcomes at least one of the disadvantages of known systems described above. In particular, simple and non-destructive integration and removal of communication systems should be possible. Specifically, there is a need for protective helmets that allow communication system cables to be routed and removed easily and without compromising the helmet's structural integrity. Furthermore, such solutions should ensure that the helmet's protective function is not impaired and that the installation and maintenance of the communication systems are user-friendly and efficient. Corresponding manufacturing processes for the protective helmet or the system comprising a protective helmet and a communication system should be as efficient as possible, requiring as few production steps as possible. This problem is solved for a protective helmet with the features of the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. Furthermore, this problem is solved for a method for manufacturing a protective helmet with the features of the preamble of claim 11 by the features of the characterizing part of claim 11. This problem is also solved for a method for equipping a protective helmet with a communication system by a method with the features of claim 12. Finally, this problem is solved for a system comprising a protective helmet and a communication system by a system with the features of claim 14. Advantageous embodiments of the protective helmet, the methods, and the system are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description. The key finding here is that a universal safety helmet can be provided, allowing the wearer to easily and independently add or replace various compatible communication systems or compon