PROTECTIVE HELMET STAND

Abstract

There is described a protective helmet stand including one or more support members. The stand is moveable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration the stand is arranged to receive and support a protective helmet using the one or more support members which are arranged to contact an outer surface of the protective helmet in use. In the collapsed configuration the stand has a maximum dimension of up to 10 cm. Thus the stand may easily fit into a user's pocket in the collapsed configuration.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Section 371 National Stage Application of International Application No. PCT/GB2011/000808, filed May 26, 2011, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety and published as WO 2011/148140 on Dec. 1, 2011, in English.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None.

THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

None.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective helmet stand. In particular, the present invention relates to a stand for supporting a protective helmet, such as a motorcycle helmet, above the ground.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Motorcycle helmets are safety devices worn to protect a rider's head during impact resulting from a traffic collision or similar. Motorcycle helmets are generally designed to break in a crash (thus expending the energy otherwise destined for the rider's skull), so they provide little or no protection after their first impact. Motorcycle helmets can be expensive and should themselves be protected from damage to ensure that they may fulfil their protective function. Thus, it is desirable to ensure that a motorcycle helmet is stored carefully once removed at the end of a journey.

A motorcycle helmet may be stored stably on a horizontal surface (e.g. the ground) with the opening for the rider's head facing downwards towards the surface. However, whilst being stable, this storage position has the disadvantage that the foam liner within the helmet may touch the surface and may easily get torn, wet or dirty if the surface is not completely smooth, dry and clean.

Alternatively, a motorcycle helmet may be placed upside down or on its side on a horizontal surface. This storage position avoids contact between the foam liner and the surface, thus preventing the aforementioned disadvantages. However, the helmet is not stable in this orientation and may easily roll over and become damaged, which may impair the effectiveness of the helmet in protecting a rider's head.

Motorcycle helmet stands are currently available. For example U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,630 describes a pocket-size rest for use with motorcycle helmets and the like. The rest is a flexible annulus of trapezoidal cross-section, with slits diametrically located in the inner and outer bottom edges of the trapezoid to promote deformation of the rest to conform to irregularly shaped support surfaces. However, it would be relatively easy to knock a helmet off this stand, potentially damaging the helmet. Other currently available motorcycle helmet stands are often too bulky for easy transportation during motorcycle travel.

The present invention seeks to provide an alternative motorcycle stand which provides various advantages over those of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a motorcycle helmet stand comprising one or more support members. The stand is moveable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration the stand is arranged to receive and support a motorcycle helmet using the one or more support members which are arranged to contact an outer surface of the motorcycle helmet in use. In the collapsed configuration the stand has a maximum dimension of up to 10 cm. Thus, the stand may be placed in a user's pocket in the collapsed configuration.

The stand may comprise a central body and two or more support members, each support member being moveably coupled to the central body so as to move the stand between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration, the support members being spaced further apart in the expanded configuration than in the collapsed configuration.

Each support member may be coupled to the central body by means of a respective arm, each arm having a respective first end moveably coupled to the central body, and each arm being moveably coupled to a respective one of the support members. The use of “linking” arms enables each support portion to be folded in towards the central body to make the collapsed configuration of the stand relatively compact.

The support members may each comprise a respective contact portion and a respective foot portion, the contact portions being arranged to contact the outer surface of the supported motorcycle helmet in the expanded configuration of the stand, and the foot portions being arranged to act as a base for the stand in the expanded configuration of the stand. For example, if the stand is placed on the ground for use, it is the foot portions which are in contact with the ground.

Other preferred features of the present invention are set out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a motorcycle helmet stand in a collapsed configuration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the motorcycle helmet stand as it is moved between the collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the motorcycle helmet stand in the expanded configuration.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a motorcycle helmet being lowered onto the motorcycle helmet stand in the expanded configuration.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the motorcycle helmet being supported by the motorcycle helmet stand in the expanded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a preferred embodiment of a motorcycle helmet stand 10 in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 1, the stand 10 is in a collapsed configuration for storage purposes, whereas FIG. 3 shows the stand 10 in an expanded configuration ready to act as a support, rest, holder or receptacle for a motorcycle helmet (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3). FIG. 2 shows the stand in an intermediate position as it is moved between the collapsed configuration of FIG. 1 and the expanded configuration of FIG. 3. It will be appreciated that whilst the stand 10 is primarily intended to be used as a stand for a motorcycle helmet, it could also be used as a stand for any other type of protective helmet, such as a bicycle helmet, a skiing/snowboarding helmet or a riding hat.

The stand 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises a central body 12, four linking arms 14, four support members 16, and an attachment ring 18.

The central body 12 is substantially formed as a cross having a central area 20 and four outwardly projecting members 22, each outwardly projecting member 22 being separated from those adjacent to it by an angle of 90°. The outwardly projecting members 22 project outwards from the central area 20 in substantially the same plane to form a cross-shape. Other configurations are also envisaged.

Each linking arm 14 is an elongate bar having a first “near” end 30 and a second “far” end 32, where “near” and “far” are relative terms defined by proximity to the centre of the central body 12. Each linking arm 14 is moveably coupled to the central body 12 of the stand 10 at its near end 30. In particular, each near end 30 is hinged to a respective outwardly projecting member 22 of the central body 12. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, this is accomplished by providing a respective recess 24 at the free (i.e. “far”) end of each outwardly projecting member 22 in order to receive the near end 30 of the respective linking arm 14. A respective hinge bolt 26 extends through each near end 30/outwardly projecting member 22 hinge pair to provide a respective rotation or pivot axis which lies in the plane of the outwardly projecting members 22 and perpendicular to the direction in which the respective outwardly projecting member 22 extends away from the central area 20.

One of the four support members 16 will now be described. The four support members 16 are all substantially the same as each another. The support member 16 is an elongate bar having a first “contact” end 40 and a second “foot” end 42. The “contact” end 40 of the support member 16 is so-called because, in use in the expanded configuration of FIG. 3, the contact end 40 contacts the motorcycle helmet being supported (as shown in FIG. 5). Thus, the contact end 40 of the support member 16 comprises a contact point or contact area which would be in contact with a helmet supported by the stand 10 in the expanded configuration of the stand 10. It is desirable for each contact end 40 to comprise a non-scratch outer surface such that the outer surface of the motorcycle helmet is not scratched when the helmet is supported by the support members 16 in the expanded configuration. The non-scratch outer surface may be a non-scratch coating. Alternatively, the contact ends 40 may themselves be manufactured/formed from a non-scratch material. The “foot” end 42 is so-called because, in use in the expanded configuration of FIG. 3, the foot end 42 rests on the ground and acts as a footing or base for the stand 10 (again, see FIG. 5). The support member 16 is slightly arched between the contact end 40 and the foot end 42. The support member 16 further comprises a coupling portion 44 which is disposed closer to the foot end 42 than the contact end 40 of the support member 16. The coupling portion 44 is disposed on the convex side of the slightly arched support member 16. Each support member 16 is moveably coupled to the far end 32 of a respective linking arm 14. In particular, the far end 32 of each linking arm 14 in hinged to the coupling portion 44 of the respective support member 16. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, this is accomplished by providing a respective recess 46 in the coupling portion 44 of each support member 16 in order to receive the far end 32 of the respective linking arm 14. A respective hinge bolt 48 extends through each far end 32/coupling portion 44 hinge pair to provide a respective rotation or pivot axis which lies substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective elongate linking arm 14 and the longitudinal axis of the respective elongate support member 16.

The attachment ring 18 is an annular ring attached to the centre of the central body 12 by means of a linking member 50. The linking member 50 is a substantially cylindrical body rigidly attached to and extending upwards from the central body 12 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the four outwardly projecting members 22 lie. If we define the upwardly extending direction of the linking member 50 as the z-direction, then the four outwardly projecting members 22 lie in the x-y plane extending along the +x, −x, +y and −y direction. The attachment ring 18 passes through a hole in the far end of the linking member 50 and is thus moveably coupled to the linking member 50.

In use, the stand 10 may be moved between the collapsed configuration of FIG. 1, through the intermediate position of FIG. 2 to the expanded configuration of FIG. 3. The stand may then be re-collapsed by moving it back to the collapsed configuration of FIG. 1 via the intermediate position of FIG. 2.

In the collapsed configuration of FIG. 1, the stand 10 is “folded up” such that it is relatively compact. In particular, the support members 16 are folded in towards the central body 12 of the stand 10. The linking arms 14 extend downwardly (in direction −z) from the central body 12. In addition, the linking arms 14 are disposed such that their far ends 32 are all close together beneath the centre of the central body 12 of the stand 10. The support members 16 lie substantially parallel to the linking arms 14 such that each contact end 40 of a respective support member is adjacent a respective outwardly projecting member 22 of the central body 12.

In the collapsed configuration of FIG. 1, the stand 10 is pocket-sized. In other words, the stand 10 is sized so as to easily fit within a user's pocket. Thus, the stand 10 may be conveniently attached to a user's key ring by means of the attachment ring 18 and the user may place their keys in their pocket together with the stand 10 if desired. In other words, the collapsed configuration of the stand 10 is used for storage of the stand 10 when it is not in use (i.e. when the stand 10 is not being used to support a motorcycle helmet). Hence, the collapsed configuration of the stand 10 may alternatively be described as a “storage configuration”. Other forms of key ring attachment member (e.g. a clip or hook) for attaching the stand 10 to a key ring are also envisaged instead of the ring 18 shown in the Figures.

Being “pocket-sized” in the collapsed configuration means that the stand 10 is easily portable by a motorcycle rider in a pocket of his clothing when riding a motorcycle. The motorcycle rider may then remove the stand 10 from his pocket at the end of a journey to support his motorcycle helmet when no longer being worn. The term “pocket-sized” will be further defined in the following paragraphs.

The portable, pocket-sized stand 10 has a maximum (linear) dimension of 10 cm or less (i.e. up to 10 cm) in the collapsed configuration. The 10 cm upper limit on the maximum collapsed stand dimension allows the collapsed stand 10 to be stored in a larger clothing pocket (e.g. a pocket in a coat or other outer garment). In advantageous embodiments, the maximum dimension of the stand 10 in the collapsed configuration may be up to 9 cm, or up to 8 cm, or up to 7 cm, or up to 6 cm, or up to 5 cm. These embodiments also allow the stand 10 to fit into progressively smaller clothing pockets (such as jeans pockets) during transportation of the stand 10 in the collapsed configuration. Thus, the more compact and portable the stand 10 is in the collapsed configuration, the better.

As mentioned above, the portable, pocket-sized stand 10 has a maximum dimension (e.g. length) of 10 cm or less in the collapsed configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the stand 10 advantageously has a second (linear) dimension (e.g. width or depth or diameter) which is orthogonal to maximum dimension and is smaller than the maximum dimension of the stand. More advantageously, the second dimension is significantly smaller than the maximum dimension. For example, the second dimension may be 25-75% (e.g. around 50%) of the maximum dimension. Thus, in this embodiment, the stand is considerably less bulky in at least one direction such that it fits more comfortably into a user's pocket. This makes the stand 10 even more compact, portable and user-friendly.

In one embodiment, the size of the stand in the collapsed configuration is similar to a conventional man's wallet, which is well known to easily fit into a trouser pocket, for example. In another embodiment, the size of the stand in the collapsed configuration is similar to a chunky electronic car key fob (e.g. 7 cm×4 cm×3 cm). For the avoidance of doubt, these stand sizes should be seen as exemplary rather than limiting.

When the stand 10 has been moved to the expanded configuration of FIG. 3, the linking arms 14 extend outwardly from the central body 12 in the same directions as their respective outwardly projecting members 22. Thus, the linking arms 14 are disposed such that their far ends 32 are all far apart from one another around the outside of the central body 12. In this configuration, the central body 12 and the linking arms 14 together form a larger cross shape than is formed by the central body 12 alone. The support members 16 lie substantially perpendicular to their respective linking arms 14 such that the support members 16 each extend substantially in the z-direction with the contact ends 40 at the top and the foot ends 42 at the bottom. In the expanded configuration of FIG. 3, the support members 16 are further from the central body 12 than in the collapsed configuration of FIG. 1. Thus, the stand is larger and takes up more space in the expanded configuration than in the collapsed configuration.

In the expanded configuration, the stand 10 may be placed on the ground 68 to provide a stable and balanced base for supporting a motorcycle helmet 60 above the ground (see FIG. 5). The stand 10 may also provide a stable support for a motorcycle helmet 60 when the stand 10 is placed on an uneven or slightly inclined surface. Hence, the expanded configuration of the stand 10 may alternatively be described as an “operative configuration” since it is in this configuration that the stand 10 performs its function as a motorcycle helmet rest.

The helmet 60 may be lowered onto the stand 10 as shown in FIG. 4. In particular, the helmet 60 is upside down (i.e. inverted) as it is lowered onto the stand 10. Thus, the domed (or convex or rounded) top surface 62 of the helmet 60 is placed on the stand 10 such that the chin strap 64 and chin bar 66 of the helmet 60 are left facing upwards whilst the helmet 60 is supported by the stand 10. In the expanded configuration of the stand 10, the contact ends 40 of each of the support members 16 all lie on an imaginary domed surface which corresponds to the domed outer surface of the top of the motorcycle helmet. Thus, the stand 10 provides a stable support for the helmet 60.

It will be appreciated that the helmet 66 could alternatively be placed on its side, or at some other angle, rather than being entirely upside down as shown in FIG. 5. If the stand 10 were slightly larger, it could even be used to support a helmet 60 which was placed the right way up (i.e. with the domed top surface of the helmet 60 facing upwards). In this case, the contact ends 40 would make contact with the annular base 68 of the helmet 60 which surrounds a wearer's neck in use. In each helmet orientation, the contact ends 40 of each of the support members 16 can be considered to lie on an imaginary surface which matches or corresponds to an outer surface of the helmet 60 on which the helmet 60 is supported.

As most clearly seen in FIG. 5, the maximum or horizontal dimension D of stand 10 in the expanded configuration is about half of the diameter d of the helmet 60. However, this is not limiting. The stand 10 may be bigger or smaller as desired so long as it is still able to support the helmet 60. In general, the size (i.e. length) of the stand 10 in the expanded configuration is comparable to or smaller than the size (i.e. diameter) of a typical motorcycle helmet 60. For example, a stand length of around 50-75% of the helmet diameter is desirable. A larger stand 10 will generally provide a more stable base, but a smaller stand will generally be more compact for transportation purposes, so there is some degree of trade-off between these two factors.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that these are by way of example only and that various modifications may be contemplated.

For example, the stand 10 may further comprise a retaining member (not shown) for securing the helmet 60 to the stand 10 when the stand 10 is in the expanded configuration. This would provide additional safety to ensure that the helmet 60 could not be knocked off the stand 10 once in place. The retaining member would also enable the stand 10 to be picked up and turned upside down whilst still retaining the helmet 60. An exemplary retaining member would be a sucker for attachment to an outer surface of the helmet 60. Alternatively or additionally, the retaining member could include one or more strings for tying around or to the helmet 60. For example, each support member 16 of the stand 10 may be coupled to a respective string for clipping onto the far side of a supported helmet 60, or for tying together on the far side of the helmet 60. The one or more strings may be elasticated. The one or more strings may together form a mesh or net for receiving the motorcycle helmet 60 therein.

The stand 10 may further comprise a resilient biasing member to bias the stand 10 towards the expanded configuration. A spring or coil or similar could be used for this purpose. This would make it easy to expand the stand 10 from the collapsed to the expanded configuration for ease of deployment and use.

The stand may further comprise a first locking member moveable between a locked configuration and a released configuration. In the locked configuration, the first locking member is used to maintain the stand in the collapsed configuration. This would prevent the stand 10 from being accidentally moved from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration. This may be particularly useful in combination with the resilient biasing member mentioned above.

The stand may further comprise a second locking member moveable between a locked configuration and a released configuration. In the locked configuration, the second locking member is used to maintain the stand in the expanded configuration. This would prevent the stand 10 from being accidentally moved from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration.

The stand may further comprise an actuator (e.g. button) which may be actuated to move the stand 10 from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration.

In the above described embodiment, the stand 10 is hingedly moveable between the collapsed and expanded configurations. Other methods of movement between the collapsed and expanded configurations are also contemplated (e.g. rotation, inflation, etc.).

Thus, in one embodiment, the stand may further comprise an inflatable member. In this case, the stand may be arranged to move from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration during inflation of the inflatable member. The inflatable member may itself be used as a support member. Multiple inflatable members may be provided.

The stand may further comprise a plurality of detachable components which are operable to be attached together one way in the collapsed configuration of the stand, and to be attached together another way in the expanded configuration of the stand. In this case, a stand is provided which can be deconstructed from its collapsed configuration and then rebuilt by the user to form an expanded configuration. As an example, this design option could be used with a stand similar to that shown in the figures. Instead of the hinged movement of the various component, each component could have snap-fit connectors to allow it to be connected to adjacent components in one of two ways (collapsed or expanded). Many other variants are also contemplated. However, the preferred embodiment allows movement between the collapsed and expanded configurations without deconstruction of the stand into multiple components. In other words, the stand preferably does not include components which need to be detached to enable the stand to move between the collapsed and expanded configurations. Thus, the stand remains in one piece (i.e. connected together) during movement of the stand between the collapsed and expanded configurations.

The stand 10 may further comprise a motorcycle attachment member (e.g. a magnet or a karabiner) for securing the stand to a motorcycle.

The stand 10 may further comprise a fan (e.g. a battery powered rotary fan) arranged to cool the inside of the supported motorcycle helmet 60 in the expanded configuration of the stand 10.

The linking arms 14 of the stand 10 shown in the Figures are not essential. The linking arms 14 could be removed and the support members 16 could instead be directly connected to the central body 12 of the stand 10. However, this would provide a smaller “expanded” stand than the expanded stand 10 shown in FIG. 3, and this smaller expanded stand would be less stable as a helmet rest without the advantage of a significant reduction in size of the collapsed stand as compared to that shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, inclusion of the linking arms 14 is preferred.

It is envisaged that the stand may include a different number of support members rather than the four shown in the Figures. It is easy to see how three or more support members could be used instead of the four support members shown in the figures. Alternatively, the stand could include only two support members. In order to stably support a helmet using only two support members, at least one of the two support members should make contact with the outer surface of the helmet using two or more contact points, or using one extended contact area. It is also possible to envisage a stand with only a single support member. In this case, the support member would again need multiple contact points or an extended contact area for contacting the outer surface of the helmet. One specific embodiment in this regard would be a stand with a spiral-type support member. The spiral could have a relatively small collapsed diameter and could expand out to a larger diameter to form an operative, expanded helmet support with a substantially circular contact area between the outer surface of the helmet and the spiral support portion.

Thus, although various embodiments have been described, the scope of protection should be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A protective helmet stand comprising one or more support members, wherein the stand is moveable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein in the expanded configuration the stand is arranged to receive and support a protective helmet using the one or more support members which are arranged to contact an outer surface of the protective helmet in use, and wherein the stand has a maximum dimension of up to 10 cm in the collapsed configuration.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. The protective helmet stand of claim 1 further comprising a retaining member for securing the protective helmet to the stand when the stand is in the expanded configuration.

6. The protective helmet stand of claim 5 wherein the retaining member comprises a sucker for attachment to an outer surface of the helmet.

7. The protective helmet stand of claim 5 wherein the retaining member comprises one or more strings for tying around or to the protective helmet.

8. The protective helmet stand of claim 7 wherein the one or more strings are elastic.

9. The protective helmet stand of claim 7 wherein the one or more strings together form a mesh or net for receiving the protective helmet therein.

10. The protective helmet stand of claim 1 further comprising a resilient biasing member to bias the stand towards the expanded configuration.

11. The protective helmet stand of claim 1 wherein the stand comprises a first locking member moveable between a locked configuration and a released configuration, wherein in the locked configuration the first locking member is arranged to maintain the stand in the collapsed configuration.

12. The protective helmet stand of claim 1 wherein the stand comprises a second locking member moveable between a locked configuration and a released configuration, wherein in the locked configuration the second locking member is arranged to maintain the stand in the expanded configuration.

13. The protective helmet stand of claim 1 wherein the stand is hingedly moveable between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration.

14. The protective helmet stand of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of detachable components, wherein the detachable components are operable to be attached together in one way in the collapsed configuration of the stand, and wherein the detachable components are operable to be attached together in another way in the expanded configuration of the stand.

15. The protective helmet stand of claim 1 further comprising an inflatable member.

16. The protective helmet stand of claim 1 wherein each support member comprises a respective non-scratch outer surface such that the outer surface of the protective helmet is not scratched when the helmet is supported by the support members in the expanded configuration.

17. The protective helmet stand of claim 1 wherein the stand remains in one piece during movement between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration.

18. The protective helmet stand of claim 1 further comprising a key ring attachment member for attaching the stand to a key ring.

19. The protective helmet stand of claim 1 further comprising a motorcycle attachment member for securing the stand to a motorcycle.

20. The protective helmet stand of claim 1 further comprising a fan arranged to cool the inside of the supported protective helmet in the expanded configuration of the stand.

21. The protective helmet stand of claim 1 wherein the stand has a maximum dimension of up to 8 cm in the collapsed configuration.

22. The protective helmet stand of claim 1 wherein the stand has a maximum dimension of up to 6 cm in the collapsed configuration.

23. The protective helmet stand of claim 1 wherein in the collapsed configuration the stand has a second dimension orthogonal to the maximum dimension that is significantly smaller than the maximum dimension.