WO1998013232A1 - Device to prevent driver and pilot helmet oscillations - Google Patents

Device to prevent driver and pilot helmet oscillations Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998013232A1
WO1998013232A1 PCT/IB1997/001148 IB9701148W WO9813232A1 WO 1998013232 A1 WO1998013232 A1 WO 1998013232A1 IB 9701148 W IB9701148 W IB 9701148W WO 9813232 A1 WO9813232 A1 WO 9813232A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
arm
helmet
slide
features
frame
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB1997/001148
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Gianluca Schiavina
Original Assignee
Gianluca Schiavina
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gianluca Schiavina filed Critical Gianluca Schiavina
Priority to AU41337/97A priority Critical patent/AU4133797A/en
Publication of WO1998013232A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998013232A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A42—HEADWEAR
    • A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
    • A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
    • A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
    • A42B3/0406—Accessories for helmets
    • A42B3/0473—Neck restraints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D25/00—Emergency apparatus or devices, not otherwise provided for
    • B64D25/02—Supports or holding means for living bodies
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R2021/003—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks characterised by occupant or pedestian
    • B60R2021/0039—Body parts of the occupant or pedestrian affected by the accident
    • B60R2021/0048—Head
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R2021/0065—Type of vehicles
    • B60R2021/0086—Racing cars

Definitions

  • This invention is a device to prevent oscillations of the protective helmet worn by car drivers and plane and boat pilots.
  • car drivers and plane and boat pilots are subjected to heavy forward and lateral stresses which subject the head, and especially the neck muscles and cervical vertebrae, to forces which often result in trauma.
  • the technical task of this invention is to provide a device able to neutralize forces resulting from a violent impact and those caused by centrifugal force on the driver's head when the vehicle goes through a curve.
  • this invention seeks to offer a structural simple device that may be used in a flexible manner on a wide range of vehicles.
  • a device to prevent oscillations of the helmet worn by drivers and pilots featuring a frame incorporating a guide with means for the essentially vertical installation of said guide in the cockpit of the car or plane, a moving slide in said guide kept in a suspended position by means of dampers, an arm attached to said frame and positioned above the helmet, said arm having guides for an opposing mobile cursor with dampers and a connecting element to the top of the helmet.
  • FIG. 1 is a prospective view of the device in a vehicle cockpit
  • FIG. 1 is a prospective view of the device with a number of parts sectioned
  • FIG. 3 is a top view of the frame
  • FIG. 4 is a side view of the arm
  • figure 5 is a layout of the arm shown in figure 4.
  • the complete device is indicated with 1 , and includes frame 2, composed of two opposing and parallel bars 3 and 4 with U section.
  • the two bars 3 and 4 are secured to the interior of the cockpit, which in the example, is a racing car (5). Attachment of the bars is not shown here, but may be performed in any manner.
  • Bars 3 and 4 extend vertically behind the driver's seat to the level of helmet 6, and are located symmetrically with respect to the vehicle's longitudinal center line surface
  • P. Bars 3 and 4 form a guide for slide 7, composed of a plate whose side edges slide on the bars.
  • Slide 7 is supported by two dampers 8 and 9, which act in opposition to one another.
  • Damper 8 includes cylinder 10, which is linked to pin 11 attached to frame 2, and articulated rod 12 below slide 7.
  • damper 9 includes rod 13, which is linked to pin
  • slide 7 On top of slide 7 are two extensions 16 and 17, in which pins 18 and 19 are inserted and secured. Parts of these pins extend toward center line surface P and sustain sleeve 20, which rotates with them and forms a hub.
  • Sleeve 20 is housed in collar 21 , part of arm 22 which projects from slide 7.
  • springs 23 are housed between sleeve 20 and and collar 21 .
  • These springs are composed of a band of steel wound in a spiral, its outer end attached to collar 21 and its inner end attached to sleeve 20. Springs 23 are loaded so that they push arm 22 upward.
  • Arm 22 is composed of a frame with a pair of parallel U-shaped bars 24 and 25, one end of which is welded to collar 21 and connected on the opposite side by brace 26.
  • Cursor 31 consists of transverse cursor 35, open at the bottom and top by means of slots
  • Two pawls 38 and 39 are housed and slide in channel 35, forced against each other by springs 40 and 4 , which act between pawls 38 and 39 and plates 42, which close the openings of channel 35 adjacent to bars 24 and 25.
  • Pawls 38 and 39 form the jaws of a sort of gripper which elastically hold (due to the effect of springs 40 and 41 ) pin 43, which extends vertically from the top of helmet 6.
  • Pin 43 is in the form of a mushroom, with tapered head 44 inserted between pawls 38 and 39, and shank 45 which, when the head of pin 43 has passed between pawls 38 and 39, is held in seat 46 between the contact surfaces of pawls 38 and 39.
  • Two bolts 47 and 48 arranged in a retractable manner on the outer sides of bars 24 and
  • Bolts 47 and 48 are attached to blocks 49 and 50, which are secured to the ends of rods
  • Rods 51 and 52 extend beyond brace 26 and are connected by handle 57.
  • Blocks 49 and 50 are guided between the flaps of brackets 60 and 61, attached to the external faces of bars 24 and 25, to prevent distortion of the portions of rods 51 and 52 near blocks 49 and 50 when bolts 47 and 48 are in the holes of sleeve 20 and arm 22 is subjected to oscillating movements.
  • Dampers 8, 9, and 29 and springs 23 are opportunely adjusted so that the device does not exert pressure on the helmet.
  • pin 43 may be aligned with seat 46, thereby keeping arm 22 practically horizontal and allowing the driver to rotate helmet 6 freely.
  • dampers 8, 9 and 29 dampen vertical and lateral movement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle resulting from inertial and centrifugal forces exerted on the helmet.
  • springs 40 and 41 absorb lateral movements of the helmet.
  • the device may be attached to helmet 1 by outside personnel. Moreover, the driver can release the device by means of handle 57, which will remove bolts 47 and 48 from sleeve
  • dampers 8, 9 and 29 are connected to control unit 62, commanded by the driver, who is thus able to position the device exactly as required.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Vibration Prevention Devices (AREA)

Abstract

The invention is a device to prevent oscillations of the helmet (6) worn by car drivers and plane pilots, and features a frame (2) incorporating a guide (3, 4) with means for the essentially vertical installation of said guide in the cockpit of the car or plane, a moving slide (7) in said guide kept in a suspended position by means of dampers (8, 9), an arm (22) attached to said slide (7) and positioned above the helmet, said arm having means for guiding and damping the motion of a cursor in a longitudinal direction, the cursor comprising means for clamping a pin (43) which extends vertically from the top of the helmet (6).

Description

Title: "DEVICE TO PREVENT DRIVER AND PILOT HELMET OSCILLATIONS"
This invention is a device to prevent oscillations of the protective helmet worn by car drivers and plane and boat pilots.
As is known, under certain driving conditions, car drivers and plane and boat pilots (said means hereinafter called "vehicles") are subjected to heavy forward and lateral stresses which subject the head, and especially the neck muscles and cervical vertebrae, to forces which often result in trauma.
This is the case, for example, with racing car drivers as they go through a curved section of track or in the event of a violent impact against an obstacle such as a barrier.
The technical task of this invention is to provide a device able to neutralize forces resulting from a violent impact and those caused by centrifugal force on the driver's head when the vehicle goes through a curve.
In the context of such task, this invention seeks to offer a structural simple device that may be used in a flexible manner on a wide range of vehicles.
This task and purpose are achieved with a device to prevent oscillations of the helmet worn by drivers and pilots, featuring a frame incorporating a guide with means for the essentially vertical installation of said guide in the cockpit of the car or plane, a moving slide in said guide kept in a suspended position by means of dampers, an arm attached to said frame and positioned above the helmet, said arm having guides for an opposing mobile cursor with dampers and a connecting element to the top of the helmet.
The invention is described below in greater detail, illustrated for purposes of example only and not limited to the drawings enclosed, in which:
- figure 1 is a prospective view of the device in a vehicle cockpit;
- figure 2 is a prospective view of the device with a number of parts sectioned;
- figure 3 is a top view of the frame;
- figure 4 is a side view of the arm;
- figure 5 is a layout of the arm shown in figure 4.
With reference to said figures, the complete device is indicated with 1 , and includes frame 2, composed of two opposing and parallel bars 3 and 4 with U section. The two bars 3 and 4 are secured to the interior of the cockpit, which in the example, is a racing car (5). Attachment of the bars is not shown here, but may be performed in any manner. Bars 3 and 4 extend vertically behind the driver's seat to the level of helmet 6, and are located symmetrically with respect to the vehicle's longitudinal center line surface
P. Bars 3 and 4 form a guide for slide 7, composed of a plate whose side edges slide on the bars. Slide 7 is supported by two dampers 8 and 9, which act in opposition to one another. Damper 8 includes cylinder 10, which is linked to pin 11 attached to frame 2, and articulated rod 12 below slide 7. Likewise, damper 9 includes rod 13, which is linked to pin
14 attached to frame 2, and cylinder 15 below side 7.
On top of slide 7 are two extensions 16 and 17, in which pins 18 and 19 are inserted and secured. Parts of these pins extend toward center line surface P and sustain sleeve 20, which rotates with them and forms a hub.
Sleeve 20 is housed in collar 21 , part of arm 22 which projects from slide 7.
Between sleeve 20 and and collar 21 is chamber with tubular extremities in which two springs 23 are housed. These springs are composed of a band of steel wound in a spiral, its outer end attached to collar 21 and its inner end attached to sleeve 20. Springs 23 are loaded so that they push arm 22 upward.
Arm 22 is composed of a frame with a pair of parallel U-shaped bars 24 and 25, one end of which is welded to collar 21 and connected on the opposite side by brace 26.
Between bars 24 and 25, and resting on collar 21 , is element 27, containing cylinder 28 of damper 29 on center line surface P. Damper rod 30 is connected to cursor 31 guided in bars 24 and 25. Damper 29 is supported on diametrically opposing sides by a pair of elements 32 and 33, inserted between bars 24 and 25 and cylinder 28.
Cursor 31 consists of transverse cursor 35, open at the bottom and top by means of slots
36 and 37.
Two pawls 38 and 39 are housed and slide in channel 35, forced against each other by springs 40 and 4 , which act between pawls 38 and 39 and plates 42, which close the openings of channel 35 adjacent to bars 24 and 25.
Pawls 38 and 39 form the jaws of a sort of gripper which elastically hold (due to the effect of springs 40 and 41 ) pin 43, which extends vertically from the top of helmet 6. Pin 43 is in the form of a mushroom, with tapered head 44 inserted between pawls 38 and 39, and shank 45 which, when the head of pin 43 has passed between pawls 38 and 39, is held in seat 46 between the contact surfaces of pawls 38 and 39. Two bolts 47 and 48, arranged in a retractable manner on the outer sides of bars 24 and
25, keep arm 22 square to frame 7.
Bolts 47 and 48 are attached to blocks 49 and 50, which are secured to the ends of rods
51 and 52 which slide in bushes 53, 54, 55, and 56, which are attached to bars 24 and 25.
Rods 51 and 52 extend beyond brace 26 and are connected by handle 57. On the portions of the rods between bushes 53 and 55 and blocks 49 and 50 are springs 58 and
59, which exert pressure on blocks 40 and 50 and force bolts 47 and 48 into the holes in sleeve 20, blocking rotation of arm 22. Blocks 49 and 50 are guided between the flaps of brackets 60 and 61, attached to the external faces of bars 24 and 25, to prevent distortion of the portions of rods 51 and 52 near blocks 49 and 50 when bolts 47 and 48 are in the holes of sleeve 20 and arm 22 is subjected to oscillating movements.
The way in which the device works is easily understood from the above description. After the driver has taken his position in the cockpit of vehicle 5, arm 22 is turned onto helmet 6 so that pin 43 enters seat 46 and is held between jaws 38 and 39.
Dampers 8, 9, and 29 and springs 23 are opportunely adjusted so that the device does not exert pressure on the helmet. In particular, by calibrating dampers 8, 9, and 29, pin 43 may be aligned with seat 46, thereby keeping arm 22 practically horizontal and allowing the driver to rotate helmet 6 freely.
In effect, once the device has been connected to the helmet, dampers 8, 9 and 29 dampen vertical and lateral movement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle resulting from inertial and centrifugal forces exerted on the helmet. In particular, springs 40 and 41 absorb lateral movements of the helmet.
The device may be attached to helmet 1 by outside personnel. Moreover, the driver can release the device by means of handle 57, which will remove bolts 47 and 48 from sleeve
20 so that springs 23 will lift arm 22 with sufficient force to cause pin 43 to be released from jaws 38 and 39.
The above-described device may be modified in a variety of ways, all of which refer to the same inventive concept .
For example, as seen in figure 1 , dampers 8, 9 and 29 are connected to control unit 62, commanded by the driver, who is thus able to position the device exactly as required.

Claims

1. Device to prevent oscillations of the helmet worn by drivers and pilots of cars, planes and boats, and features a frame incorporating a guide with means for the essentially vertical installation of said guide in the cockpit of the car or plane, a moving slide in said guide kept in a suspended position by means of dampers, an arm attached to said frame and positioned above the helmet, said arm having guides for an opposing mobile cursor with dampers and a connecting element to the top of the helmet.
2. The device described in Claim 1 features a frame that is composed of two opposing and parallel U-shaped bars, forming a guide for said slide.
3. The slide for the device described in Claims 1 and 2 features a plate supported by two dampers acting in opposition.
4. The slide for the device described in one of the above claims features an articulated hub for said arm, as well as an element to block rotary motion of said arm with respect to said slide, and elastic elements acting between said slide and said arm for purposes of lifting said arm when the arm is in release position.
5. The arm for the device described in one of the above claims features a pair of U- shaped parallel bars opposing and articulated on said slide, a cursor guided between said bars presenting a transverse channel, two sliding pawls pressed against each other by springs and housed in said channel, said pawls forming a seat for the elastic clamping of a pin attached to the top of the helmet, a damper supported by said frame acting upon said cursor.
6. The frame for the device described in one of claims 4-5 above features a collar that is coaxial to said hub and forms with said hub a seat for springs that are loaded to push said arm upward.
7. The clamping element for the device described in one of claims 5-6 above features two rods guided on said bars and connected at one end by a front handle, the other ends of said rods being connected to bolts inserted in said hub.
8. The dampers for the device described in one of the above claims are connected to a control unit.
9. The device as described in one of the above claims includes an explosive system commanded by the driver or by an operator to disassemble the components of said frame and free the helmet.
10. Device to prevent oscillations of the helmet worn by car drivers and plane pilots, as per the above description and attached drawings.
PCT/IB1997/001148 1996-09-25 1997-09-24 Device to prevent driver and pilot helmet oscillations WO1998013232A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU41337/97A AU4133797A (en) 1996-09-25 1997-09-24 Device to prevent driver and pilot helmet oscillations

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT96BO000479A IT1286237B1 (en) 1996-09-25 1996-09-25 DEVICE TO PREVENT OSCILLATION OF THE PROTECTIVE HELMET OF DRIVERS OF VEHICLES SUCH AS MOTOR VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT AND VESSELS
ITBO96A000479 1996-09-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998013232A1 true WO1998013232A1 (en) 1998-04-02

Family

ID=11341612

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB1997/001148 WO1998013232A1 (en) 1996-09-25 1997-09-24 Device to prevent driver and pilot helmet oscillations

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4133797A (en)
IT (1) IT1286237B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1998013232A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1741356A1 (en) * 2005-07-07 2007-01-10 SoluVention GmbH Head protection device for high-speed vehicles
ITRM20110197A1 (en) * 2011-04-19 2012-10-20 B M A Buizza Mazzei Agency S R L BALANCE SYSTEM OF THE HEAD OF A PASSENGER OF A VEHICLE, IN PARTICULAR OF A HELICOPTER
WO2017074206A1 (en) 2015-10-29 2017-05-04 Michonski Michal Head and neck support and protection device
FR3043963A1 (en) * 2015-11-23 2017-05-26 Jerome Sirgue MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A PILOT HEAD PROTECTION DEVICE
EP3854639A1 (en) 2020-01-23 2021-07-28 Michonski, Michal Head and neck support and protection device

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2289615A (en) * 1994-05-20 1995-11-29 Robert Francis John Combined head and neck protection system
DE4418179A1 (en) * 1994-05-25 1995-11-30 Diwa Lock Gmbh Device protecting racing driver helmet from side force

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2289615A (en) * 1994-05-20 1995-11-29 Robert Francis John Combined head and neck protection system
DE4418179A1 (en) * 1994-05-25 1995-11-30 Diwa Lock Gmbh Device protecting racing driver helmet from side force

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1741356A1 (en) * 2005-07-07 2007-01-10 SoluVention GmbH Head protection device for high-speed vehicles
ITRM20110197A1 (en) * 2011-04-19 2012-10-20 B M A Buizza Mazzei Agency S R L BALANCE SYSTEM OF THE HEAD OF A PASSENGER OF A VEHICLE, IN PARTICULAR OF A HELICOPTER
WO2012143400A1 (en) * 2011-04-19 2012-10-26 B.M.A. Buizza Mazzei Agency S.R.L. Balancing system for the head of a passenger of a vehicle, in particular a helicopter
US9265296B2 (en) 2011-04-19 2016-02-23 B.M.A. Buizza Mazzei Agency S.R.L. Balancing system for the head of a passenger of a vehicle, in particular a helicopter
WO2017074206A1 (en) 2015-10-29 2017-05-04 Michonski Michal Head and neck support and protection device
EP3368382A4 (en) * 2015-10-29 2019-03-27 Michonski, Michal Head and neck support and protection device
FR3043963A1 (en) * 2015-11-23 2017-05-26 Jerome Sirgue MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A PILOT HEAD PROTECTION DEVICE
WO2017089316A1 (en) * 2015-11-23 2017-06-01 Sirgue Jérôme Motor vehicle comprising an element for protecting the driver's head
EP3854639A1 (en) 2020-01-23 2021-07-28 Michonski, Michal Head and neck support and protection device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITBO960479A1 (en) 1998-03-25
IT1286237B1 (en) 1998-07-08
AU4133797A (en) 1998-04-17
ITBO960479A0 (en) 1996-09-25

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