Device for connecting a lining layer of a helmet to an inner shock-absorbing portion of a helmet

{
  "publication_number": "US11272752B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Device for connecting a lining layer of a helmet to an inner shock-absorbing portion of a helmet",
  "abstract": "A device for removably connecting a lining layer to an inner shock-absorbing portion of a helmet, mainly made of foam is disclosed. The device includes a first element constrainable to the lining layer and a second element constrainable to the inner shock-absorbing portion. The second element has a threaded portion that can be inserted by screwing it in the foam of the inner shock-absorbing portion. The device also includes means for the mechanical snap-fit coupling between the first and the second element.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A device removably connected to a lining layer and an inner shock-absorbing portion of a helmet, said device comprising: a first element fixed to said lining layer; and a second element fixed to said inner shock-absorbing portion, said inner shock-absorbing portion being made from foam; wherein said second element comprises a threaded portion screwed into the foam of said inner shock-absorbing portion; wherein said first element and said second element are adapted with a snap-fit coupling means configured to mechanically couple said first element to said second element and positioned on a side of said second element opposite from said threaded portion, said snap-fit coupling means comprising a female seat made on said second element and a male protrusion made on said first element, said male protrusion being, reversibly constrainable in said female seat; wherein the second element rem rises an additional peening connected to and disposed within said female seat, said additional opening having an upper edge arranged at a lower surface of the female seat and being shaped in such a way to matingly cooperate with a tool for screwing the second element into the foam of the inner shock-absorbing portion; wherein said threaded portion has a thread having a ratio between an inner diameter (Di) of the thread and a maximum depth (Hmax) of the thread comprised between 0.15 and 0.5; and wherein said thread is a thread with a variable thread angle (α), with a minimum value comprised between 25 and 35 degrees, and a maximum value comprised between 35 and 50 degrees.",
    "2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said second element comprises a foil for coupling to a surface of said inner shock-absorbing portion, said foil having said female seat.",
    "3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said threaded portion of the second element has a thread having variable depth.",
    "4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the ratio between the maximum depth (Hmax) and a thread pitch of said threaded portion is between 1.00 and 1.80.",
    "5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the ratio between the maximum depth (Hmax) and the thread pitch of said threaded portion is between 1.20 and 1.60.",
    "6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the ratio between the maximum depth (Hmax) and the thread pitch of said threaded portion is about 1.40.",
    "7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said threaded portion has a thread with a gradually decreasing depth (H).",
    "8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first element has coupling means to couple to two opposite surfaces (12 a, 12 b) of said lining layer.",
    "9. The device according to claim 1, made at least partially of plastic material.",
    "10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the ratio between the inner diameter (Di) and the maximum depth (Hmax) of the thread of said threaded portion is between 0.15 and 0.35.",
    "11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the ratio between the inner diameter (Di) and the maximum depth (Hmax) of the thread of said threaded portion is about 0.23.",
    "12. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first element abuts said lining layer, and said second element abuts said inner shock-absorbing portion."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to the field of protecting helmets, and in particular to the field of protecting helmets for users of vehicles, such as for example motorcycles, scooters, snowmobiles, etc.\n\nAs known, such protecting helmets generically comprise an outer, hard protecting shell, one or more inner shock-absorbing portions (for example side cheek pads, an inner upper insert, the chin guard, etc.) that typically form an inner cap, usually made at least partially of a closed-cell foam (for example expanded polystyrene). Such inner portions are adapted to absorb the shock energy. A lining layer, usually in foam robber possibly covered with a fabric, is arranged on the inner surface of the shock-absorbing portion and is adapted to contact the user face. Such a lining layer allows making the contact comfortable between the helmet and the user face, in addition to allowing some fitting of the helmet to different shapes of the skull, being interposed between the user and the inner shock-absorbing portion and being elastically compressible within wide limits.\n\nThis lining layer is generally glued to the inner surface of the respective shock-absorbing portion of the helmet, thus making difficult the operations for cleaning and replacing the lining layer.\n\nAlternatively, protecting helmets are known wherein the lining layer is totally, or partially, removably constrained to the inner surface of a shock-absorbing portion, for example through Velcro® or mechanical latches.",
  "cpc": [
    "A42B 3/125",
    "A42B 3/04",
    "A42B 3/10",
    "A42B 3/12",
    "A42B 3/142",
    "F16B 21/08",
    "F16B 25/0015",
    "F16B 5/0621"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A42B 3/04",
    "A42B 3/10",
    "A42B 3/12",
    "F16B 25/00",
    "F16B 5/06"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Nolangroup SpA"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Alberto Salvetti",
    "Danilo FERRERI"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-04-22",
  "publication_date": "2022-03-15",
  "grant_date": "2022-03-15",
  "priority_date": "2015-04-29",
  "application_number": "US-201615136354-A",
  "family_id": "53900915",
  "cited_by_count": 2,
  "citations": [
    "US321940A",
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    "GB2087229A",
    "US4717301A",
    "US5447401A",
    "US5930840A",
    "EP0954993A2",
    "JP2000160424A",
    "US20030007845A1",
    "US8800065B2",
    "US20090158506A1",
    "US20110094071A1",
    "US8239970B2",
    "US20140096311A1"
  ]
}