US20090013440A1

US20090013440A1 - Rear vision helmet visor structure

Info

Publication number: US20090013440A1
Application number: US12/216,073
Authority: US
Inventors: Tien-Te Lai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-09
Filing date: 2008-06-30
Publication date: 2009-01-15
Also published as: IT1397421B1; CA2635831A1; JP2009013576A; ITTO20080523A1; DE102008040130A1

Abstract

A rear vision helmet visor structure includes a visor and at least two mirrors disposed on the visor. The visor is divided into a main portion and a sub-portion, and an opening-closing structure is formed between the main portion and the sub-portion. Therefore, when the main portion of the visor is fixed to a helmet shell, the sub-portion may be opened and closed relative to the helmet shell so that the mirrors may be opened and closed and a volume of the visor may be reduced.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a rear vision helmet visor structure.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Referring to FIG. 13, Taiwan patent application number 096113400, entitled “REAR VISION STRUCTURE OF HELMET VISOR” and filed by the present inventor, discloses an example including a visor 1 and three mirrors. The visor has a visor frame 6. The mirrors include a first mirror 2 disposed on a rear portion of the visor, a second mirror 3 disposed on a front portion of the visor, and a third mirror 4 disposed on the visor frame 6. Thus, the first mirror can reflect a rear image onto the third mirror, and the third mirror further reflects the image onto the second mirror. Then, the second mirror reflects the image onto the user's eyes so that the visor has the function of rear vision, wherein the user sees the rear non-inverted image.
Also, another example may include one visor and two mirrors. The two mirrors include a first mirror disposed on the rear portion of the visor, and a second mirror disposed on the front portion of the visor. Therefore, the first mirror can reflect the rear image onto the second mirror, and then the second mirror further reflects the image onto the user's eyes so that the visor has the function of rear vision, wherein the user sees the rear inverted image.
Referring to FIG. 14, Taiwan patent application number 096116346, entitled “REAR VISION STRUCTURE OF HELMET VISOR” and filed by the present inventor, discloses an example including a visor 1 and three mirrors. The three mirrors include a first mirror 2 disposed on the rear portion of the visor, a second mirror 3 disposed on the front portion of the visor, and a third mirror 4 disposed on the portion of the visor between the first mirror and the second mirror. Therefore, the first mirror can reflect the rear image onto the third mirror, the third mirror further reflects the image onto the second mirror, and then the second mirror reflects the image onto the user's eyes so that the visor has the function of rear vision, wherein the user sees the rear non-inverted image.
The above-mentioned prior art structures have the following drawbacks.
First, because the mirror (first mirror 2) must be slightly higher than the helmet shell in order to reflect the rear image onto the user's eyes in a forward direction, the rear portion of the visor for fixing the mirror also has to be slightly higher than the helmet shell. Thus, the overall volume of the helmet is enlarged.
Second, although the mirrors can reflect the rear image to the user's eyes in the forward direction, they also reflect the strong vehicle lamp source of the rear vehicle to the user's eyes. Thus, the user's eyes feel unconformable to influence the travelling safety. So, the mirrors have to be closed according to the user's requirement.
Third, the mirrors can make the user continuously see the image of the rear view rolling backward. Thus, the mirrors have to be closed according to the user's requirement when the user does not want to see the image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a rear vision helmet visor structure capable of solving the prior art problems.
The invention mainly divides a visor into a main portion and a sub-portion, and an opening-closing structure is formed between the main portion and the sub-portion. Mirrors may be respectively disposed on the main portion and the sub-portion, and may also be disposed on only the sub-portion. Thus, when the main portion of the visor is fixed to a helmet shell, the sub-portion may be opened and closed relative to the helmet shell so that the mirrors may be opened and closed and the volume can be reduced.
The invention has the following advantages.
First, additional functions of the visor may be provided according to the improvement of the helmet visor so that the helmet visor has two functions.
Second, the volume of the visor can be reduced so that the volume of the helmet may be reduced and the prior art problems may be solved.
Third, the mirrors may be opened and closed to prevent the strong lamp source of the following vehicle from being reflected to the user's eyes at night.
Fourth, the mirrors may be freely opened and closed according to the user's requirement or other conditions.
Fifth, the angles of reflection of the mirrors are adjustable.
Further aspects, objects, and desirable features of the invention will be better understood from the detailed description and drawings that follow in which various embodiments of the disclosed invention are illustrated by way of examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left view showing a first embodiment of the invention with a reflecting function being enabled.

FIG. 2 is a left view showing the first embodiment of the invention with the reflecting function being disabled.

FIG. 3 is a left view showing a second embodiment of the invention with a reflecting function being enabled.

FIG. 4 is a left view showing the second embodiment of the invention with the reflecting function being disabled.

FIG. 5 is a left view showing a third embodiment of the invention with a reflecting function being enabled.

FIG. 6 is a left view showing the third embodiment of the invention with the reflecting function being disabled.

FIG. 7 is a left view showing a fourth embodiment of the invention with a reflecting function being disabled.

FIG. 8 is a left view showing the fourth embodiment of the invention with the reflecting function being enabled.

FIG. 9 is a left view showing a fifth embodiment of the invention with a reflecting function being enabled.

FIG. 10 is a left view showing the fifth embodiment of the invention with the reflecting function being disabled.

FIG. 11 is a left view showing a sixth embodiment of the invention with a reflecting function being enabled.

FIG. 12 is a left view showing the sixth embodiment of the invention with the reflecting function being disabled.

FIG. 13 is a left view showing a first structure according to the prior art.

FIG. 14 is a left view showing a second structure according to the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The rear vision helmet visor structure of the invention includes a visor 1, at least two mirrors and at least one opening-closing structure.
The visor 1 is divided into a main portion 1-1 and a sub-portion 1-2.
The at least two mirrors (or a first mirror 2, a second mirror 3 and a third mirror 4) are respectively disposed on the main portion and the sub-portion.
The at least one opening-closing structure is disposed between the main portion and the sub-portion.
Thus, the mirrors can be opened and closed and the volume of the visor can be reduced.
The opening-closing structure may be formed by a rotatable member 10, such as a thumb pin, a screw, a rotatable disk, a circular rod, a rotatable rod, a projecting rod or the like, capable of enabling the sub-portion to rotate on the main portion, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
The opening-closing structure may be formed by a retractable member 11, such as a sliding track, a groove, a land track, a slot, a recess, or the like, capable of enabling the sub-portion to slide on the main portion in a retractable manner, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
The opening-closing structure may be formed by an up-lifting member, such as a rotatable rod, a bent rod, a retractable supporting rod, or the like, capable of enabling the sub-portion to be lifted on the main portion.
The opening-closing structure may be formed by a front portion of the sub-portion and the main portion, which are integrally formed, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8. The sub-portion may swing up and down according to the curved elasticity and the self-restoring property of the sub-portion. Then, at least one corresponding engaging member 12, such as an engaging hook corresponding to an engagement hole, a hole corresponding to an engaging rod, a depression corresponding to a protrusion, a screw corresponding to a hole, a supporting rod corresponding to a slot or the like, may be disposed on each of the main portion and the sub-portion so that the sub-portion can be positioned at the desired height (tilted angle).
The main portion may be fixed to and combined with accessories, such as a decoration accessories, a top vent, a spoiler accessories and the like, on the helmet shell by way of adhering, clamping, spiking, engaging, inserting, integrally molding or the like so that the helmet becomes more beautiful, and the fixing force of the visor to the helmet shellt may be enhanced.
At least one corresponding engaging member, such as an engaging hook corresponding to an engagement hole, a hole corresponding to an engaging rod, a depression and a protrusion, a screw and a hole, a supporting rod and a slot or the like, may be disposed on each of the main portion and the sub-portion so that the sub-portion can be positioned at the desired height (tilted angle).
At least one corresponding engaging member (an engaging hook corresponding to an engagement hole, a hole corresponding to an engaging rod, a depression corresponding to a protrusion, a screw corresponding to a hole, a supporting rod corresponding to a slot, or the like) may be disposed on each of the sub-portion and the accessory (the decoration accessories, the top vent, the spoiler accessories or the like) on the helmet shell so that the sub-portion may be positioned at the desired height (tilted angle).
The sub-portion may be disposed between the left and right accessories (the decoration accessories, the top vent, the spoiler accessories and the like) on the helmet shell, and the left and right accessories are utilized to protect and stabilize the sub-portion.
The opening-closing structure may be disposed between the sub-portion and the left and right accessories (the decoration accessories, the top vent, the spoiler accessories and the like) on the helmet shell so that the sub-portion may be opened and closed on the left and right accessories.
A jointing member (a thumb pin, an insertion card, a screw, an insertion hook, a resilience insertion hook, an adhesive, a hot-melt adhesive or the like) may be added between the main portion and the sub-portion. That is, in addition to the opening-closing structure disposed between the main portion and the sub-portion, the jointing member may further be disposed therebetween to connect the main portion and the sub-portion together so that the manufacturing processes become more easily.
The at least two mirrors may be disposed on the sub-portion, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
A hole 5 may be formed on each of two sides of the visor 1 so that the visor may be fixed to a helmet 7 with threaded holes using screws penetrating through the holes 5, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
A fixing panel 8 may be disposed below the visor, and the fixing panel is connected to and fixed to the visor.
A plurality of fixing members 9, such as fixing buttons, male-female headed fixing buttons or holes, is disposed on the fixing panel so that the visor can be fixed to the helmet having a plurality of fixing members (fixing buttons or threaded holes) on the front upper edge of the shell through the fixing panel, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. A front one of the at least two mirrors may be fixed to the fixing panel.
The visor may have a plurality of fixing members (fixing buttons, male-female headed fixing buttons or holes) so that the visor may be fixed to the helmet having a plurality of fixing members (fixing buttons or threaded holes) disposed on the front upper edge of the shell.
If a helmet shield 13 is disposed on the visor or the helmet, a front one of the at least two mirrors (the second mirror 3, or the combination of the second mirror and the third mirror 4) may be disposed on the helmet shield.
Two sides of a rear portion of the main portion may be extended and connected together, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 9 and 10, to enhance the stability of the structure.
The two sides of the rear portion of the main portion may be connected together to form a frame so that the sub-portion may be fixed or embedded onto the frame when the sub-portion is closed.
An elastic member, such as a spring, an elastic strip or the like, may be disposed between the main portion and the sub-portion so that the sub-portion may be always held opened or closed. Then, another engaging member is provided to change the opened or closed state of the sub-portion.
It is to be noted that the visor including the main portion and the sub-portion may be freely designed in shape and structure.
In addition, the ranges of the main portion and the sub-portion of the visor may be freely divided according to the requirement. For example, the visor is divided into the main portion and the sub-portion with the connection point located at the middle of the visor.
The angle of reflection of each mirror may be adjusted.
Each mirror may be a flat, concave or convex mirror according to the requirements.
An anti-slip safety structure, a stabilizing safety structure, a braking safety structure, an engaging and positioning safety structure or an anti-turnover safety structure may be disposed between the main portion and the sub-portion or between the sub-portion and the left and right accessories on the helmet shell.
At least one of the rotatable member, the retractable member, the up-lifting member and the integrally molded structure may be disposed on the visor. For example, the rotatable member and the retractable member may be simultaneously disposed between the main portion and the sub-portion of the visor.
The invention may be applied to any helmet visor with mirrors.
The front one of the at least two mirrors, such as the second mirror 3 or the combination of the second mirror and the third mirror 4, may be configured to be foldable and retractable.
New characteristics and advantages of the invention covered by this document have been set forth in the foregoing description. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Changes in methods, shapes, structures or devices may be made in details without exceeding the scope of the invention by those who are skilled in the art. The scope of the invention is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A rear vision helmet visor structure, comprising:

a visor having a main portion and a sub-portion;

at least two mirrors respectively disposed on the main portion and the sub-portion; and

at least one opening-closing structure disposed between the main portion and the sub-portion so that the mirrors can be opened and closed and a volume of the visor can be reduced.

2. The rear vision helmet visor structure according to claim 1, wherein the opening-closing structure is formed by a rotatable member.

3. The rear vision helmet visor structure according to claim 1, wherein the opening-closing structure is formed by a retractable member.

4. The rear vision helmet visor structure according to claim 1, wherein the opening-closing structure is formed by an up-lifting member.

5. The rear vision helmet visor structure according to claim 1, wherein the opening-closing structure is formed by a front portion of the sub-portion and the main portion, which are integrally formed.

6. The rear vision helmet visor structure according to claim 1, wherein the main portion may be combined with an accessory on a helmet shell.

7. The rear vision helmet visor structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one corresponding engaging member may be disposed on each of the main portion and the sub-portion.

8. The rear vision helmet visor structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one corresponding engaging member may be disposed on each of the sub-portion and an accessory of a helmet shell.

9. The rear vision helmet visor structure according to claim 1, wherein the sub-portion may be disposed between left and right accessories on a helmet shell.

10. The rear vision helmet visor structure according to claim 1, wherein the opening-closing structure may be disposed between the sub-portion and the left and right accessories on a helmet shell.

11. The rear vision helmet visor structure according to claim 1, wherein a jointing member may be added between the main portion and the sub-portion.

12. The rear vision helmet visor structure according to claim 1, wherein the at least two mirrors may be disposed on the sub-portion.

13. The rear vision helmet visor structure according to claim 1, wherein two holes are respectively formed on two sides of the visor so that the visor may be fixed to threaded holes of a helmet shell by screws.

14. The rear vision helmet visor structure according to claim 1, wherein a fixing panel may be disposed below the visor, the fixing panel is connected and fixed to the visor, and a plurality of fixing members is disposed on the fixing panel so that the visor may be fixed to a helmet through the fixing panel, wherein a front upper edge of a helmet shell has a plurality of fixing members.

15. The rear vision helmet visor structure according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of fixing members is disposed on the visor so that the visor may be fixed to a helmet, wherein a front upper edge of a helmet shell has a plurality of fixing members.

16. The rear vision helmet visor structure according to claim 1, wherein a front one of the at least two mirrors may be disposed on a helmet shield.

17. The rear vision helmet visor structure according to claim 1, wherein two sides of a rear portion of the main portion may be extended and connected together.

18. The rear vision helmet visor structure according to claim 1, wherein an elastic member may be added between the main portion and the sub-portion.