HELMET WITH STABILIZATION FITTING SYSTEM

Abstract

A fitting system for a helmet comprises a housing. Lateral tapes are to be connected to a helmet component, and are received in the housing, the lateral tapes enabling a lateral adjustment of the fitting system. A longitudinal tape is connected to a helmet component, with a second end received in the housing, the longitudinal tape enabling a longitudinal adjustment of the fitting system. A first locking mechanism operatively is connected to the lateral tapes and rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise to adjust the lateral adjustment and lock the lateral tapes at the adjusted lateral adjustment. A second locking mechanism is operatively connected to the second end of the longitudinal tape and is rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise to adjust the longitudinal adjustment and lock the longitudinal tape at the adjusted longitudinal adjustment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority on U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/094,511, filed on Dec. 19, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to helmets, such as those used in other similar activities, and more particularly to a stabilization fitting system for such helmets.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

Helmets have become ubiquitous, if not mandatory by law or by regulation, for the protection of one's head in some sporting disciplines. For example, helmets are now commonly used in the sport of cycling and are mandatory according to sport governing bodies.

Some types of helmets are conventionally made of four components, namely (i) an outer shell, forming the outer surface of the helmet, (ii) an inner liner, defining the protective body of the helmet, (iii) a retention system or attachment system to secure the inner liner/helmet to one's head, and (iv) a stabilization system to ensure the proper fit and thus the stabilization of the helmet on the user's head—the stabilization system prevents or reduces movements of the helmet on the user's head. Other components may include visors, screens, pads, etc.

The retention or attachment systems conventionally use straps for securing the helmet to one's head. In many helmets, the straps are adjustable in length to ensure proper retention on one's head. Likewise, occipital stabilization systems, by which a fit of the helmet around one's head is micrometrically adjusted to ensure adequate protection, feature a tape, straps or strips of material to contour a part of the wearer's head. Existing occipital stabilization tapes typically comprise an indexing mechanism that defines numerous circumferential positions for the stabilization system, in a lateral direction. The indexing mechanisms may include dials, indexing straps or tape (with ratchet teeth), etc.

Some systems have been devised in order to adjust an up-and-down position of the stabilization system relative to the occipital lobe, as an additional adjustment possibility. Existing systems offering up-and-down positional adjustment of helmets relative to the occipital lobe involve a tape with indexed positions in the form of a wedged ramp. While such systems allow up-and-down position adjustment for the helmet relative to the occipital lobe, they require very little manual force to be modified. In case of impacts, such up-and-down adjustment systems may therefore inadvertently loosen.

SUMMARY

It is an aim of the present disclosure to provide a stabilization fitting system that addresses issues associated with the prior art.

It is another aim of the present disclosure to provide a helmet with a stabilization fitting system that addresses issues associated with the prior art.

It is another aim of the present disclosure to provide a method for adjusting a helmet to one's head that addresses issues associated with the prior art.

Therefore, in accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a fitting system for a helmet comprising: a housing; at least one lateral tape having a first end adapted to be connected to a helmet component, and a second end received in the housing, the at least one lateral tape enabling a lateral adjustment of the fitting system; at least one longitudinal tape having a first end adapted to be connected to a helmet component, and a second end received in the housing, the at least one longitudinal tape enabling a longitudinal adjustment of the fitting system; a first locking mechanism operatively connected to the second end of the at least one lateral tape and rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise to adjust the lateral adjustment and lock the at least one lateral tape at the adjusted lateral adjustment; and a second locking mechanism operatively connected to the second end of the at least one longitudinal tape and rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise to adjust the longitudinal adjustment and lock the at least one longitudinal tape at the adjusted longitudinal adjustment.

Further in accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a helmet comprising: a helmet body defining a cavity configured to cover a portion of a user's head; a retention system to secure the helmet body to the user's head; and the fitting system described above, wherein the housing is adapted to be located in an occipital region of the user's head, wherein the at least one lateral tape generally lies in a transverse plane of the helmet to adjust a lateral distance between the housing and the helmet body, and wherein the at least one longitudinal tape generally lies in a transverse plane of the helmet to adjust a medial distance between the housing and the helmet body.

Further in accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a method for securing a helmet to one's head, comprising: positioning the helmet on the head; rotating a first locking mechanism located in an occipital region of the head to tighten a fitting system of the helmet circumferentially; rotating a second locking mechanism located in the occipital region of the head to tighten the fitting system of the helmet medially; and attaching a retention system to secure the helmet to the head; wherein the steps of rotating the first locking mechanism, rotating the second locking mechanism and attaching the retention system are performed in any order.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is rear view of a helmet with a helmet stabilization fitting system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is rear perspective view of the helmet stabilization fitting system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the helmet stabilization fitting system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a locking wheel of the helmet stabilization fitting system of FIG. 1 in a clockwise movement relative to an annular gear, for lateral adjustment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the locking wheel of FIG. 4 in a counterclockwise movement relative to the annular gear; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a locking wheel of the helmet stabilization fitting system of FIG. 1 in a counterclockwise movement relative to an annular gear, for longitudinal adjustment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a helmet stabilization fitting system 10 for a helmet A. The system 10 is referred to as stabilization fitting system as it allows a proper fit from a sizing perspective, and stabilizes the helmet A on one's head to reduce movements between helmet A and wearer's head. However, other names could be considered, including “fitting system”, “stabilization system”, and “contour adjustment system”. For simplicity, fitting system will be used hereinafter. The helmet A is schematically illustrated, but is typically of the type having an inner liner and outer shell, i.e., a helmet body, with straps A1 of a retention system. The inner liner may be a foam material, such as molded polystyrene, whereas the outer shell may be a protective polycarbonate layer. Other components may be present although not shown as typically found in helmets, such as internal padding, cushions, straps, a visor, etc. The helmet A is of the type used in cycling or other sports, such as skating, roller-skating or any other sporting activity in which a helmet is required. While a cycling helmet is shown in FIG. 1, other helmets featuring strap fitting systems may benefit from the strap fitting system 10.

When the helmet A is worn by a user, the fitting system 10 is located in the back of the user's head. The fitting system 10 is mostly located in an occipital region of the head, although this may vary. The fitting system is provided to allow some form of circumferential adjustment of the helmet A relative to one's head, and reduce movement between the helmet A and the wearer's head. The fitting system 10, as described hereinafter, may have retention tapes that may be brought toward one another to snuggly surround the rear of the user's head and hence provide additional stability to the helmet A as worn by a user. The fitting system 10 has a lateral adjustment, as is common with many helmets, as illustrated by arrows X, to adjust a circumference of the fitting system 10, generally speaking in the transverse plane of the wearer. Although the fitting system 10 does not necessarily fully surround the wearer's head circumference, the lateral adjustment is for the circumference of the helmet. The fitting system 10 also allows a longitudinal adjustment along direction C. Longitudinal direction C may be regarded as a vertical adjustment, or an adjustment along a medial line separating the hemispheres of the head—generally in the sagittal plane of the wearer. Moreover, the helmet A is said to have a transverse plane and a sagittal plane. These planes generally correspond to those of the wearer of the helmet A. As the fitting system 10 may not be exactly aligned with the head of the wearer, the expression “generally” is used to describe the relation between the fitting system 10 and the wearer.

Referring concurrently to FIGS. 1 to 3, the fitting system 10 is shown as having a housing constituted of a base 20 and a cover 30, interconnected to one another. The housing serves as structure for functional components of the fitting system 10, i.e., the moving components allowing lateral and longitudinal adjustment of the fitting system 10.

The fitting system 10 further comprises a lateral adjustment sub-system constituted of the tapes 40, the locking wheel 50 and the dial 60. The lateral adjustment sub-system is used for the lateral adjustment of the helmet A. The lateral adjustment sub-system may offer adjustment in both rotational directions, i.e., clockwise and counterclockwise, for tightening or loosening the tapes 40. The lateral adjustment sub-system is said to be a locking mechanism, in that the tapes 40 are blocked from moving during normal use unless the wearer decides to modify the lateral adjustment.

The fitting system 10 further comprises a longitudinal adjustment sub-system. The longitudinal adjustment sub-system comprises the tape 70, i.e., a longitudinal tape, the indexing wheel 80 and the dial 90. The longitudinal adjustment sub-system is used for the longitudinal adjustment of the helmet A. The longitudinal adjustment sub-system may offer indexing adjustment in both rotational directions, i.e., clockwise and counterclockwise, for tightening or loosening the tape 70. The longitudinal adjustment sub-system is also said to be a locking mechanism, in that the tape 70 is blocked from moving during normal use unless the wearer decides to modify the longitudinal adjustment.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 20 is shown in greater detail. The base has a body that is typically molded or cast from a single monolithic material such as plastic. Alternatively, the base 20 may be constituted of different parts interconnected to one another. The base 20 has a hole 21. An annular wall 22 is located peripherally around the hole 21, and is surrounded by an annular gear 23. Hence, as observed, the teeth of the annular gear 23 are inwardly oriented and face toward the hole 21. Lateral arms 24 project from opposite sides of the annular gear 23, while a pair of longitudinal arms 25 project generally upwardly.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cover 30 is shown as having an annular gear 31 as central component. The teeth 32 of the annular gear 31 are inwardly oriented. Lateral guide ways 34 project laterally from the annular gear 31, while longitudinal guide ways 35 project generally upwardly therefrom. Occipital abutment members 36 are formed from the guide ways 34 and 35 and define surfaces that are adapted to abut against the occipital region of a user's head. Although not shown, padding may be added to the occipital abutment member 36 to pad the interface between the occipital abutment members 36 and the occipital region of a user's head, to add to the wearer's comfort.

When the housing is assembled, the base 20 is fixed to the cover 30. In doing so, the lateral arms 24 and lateral guide ways 34 are opposite one another to define guide passages for the tapes 40. Likewise, the longitudinal arms 25 and longitudinal guide ways 35 are opposite one another to form guide passages for the tape 70. Moreover, when the housing is assembled, the hole 21 and annular gear 23 may be concentric with the annular gear 31 of the cover 30, i.e., they share a common rotational axis.

Now that the housing has been described, the lateral adjustment sub-system is set forth. It may feature a pair of tapes 40 (i.e. lateral tapes), with one of the tapes 40 being for the right side of the helmet and the other of the tapes 40 being for the left side of the helmet. Although the expression “tape” is used, synonyms include arms, branches, strips, straps, cables of a BOA′ closure system, etc. The expression “tape” is commonly used, for instance in the definition of cable tie, whereby it is used herein. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tape may be an elongated piece of semi-rigid material, such as plastic. As shown in FIG. 1, the front ends of the tapes 40 are anchored to the helmet A, for instance by way of a pivot joint or any other appropriate possible interconnection (glue, co-molding, Velcro, fixed connection, etc). Alternatively, the front ends of the tapes 40 may be connected to other components so as to be indirectly connected in some manner to the helmet A. The tapes 40 have an elongated body 41 with a rack portion 42 (a.k.a. ratchet teeth) at a rear end of the tapes 40, and a pivot head 43 at a front end (one of multiple solutions considered for connecting the tapes 40).

The locking wheel 50 (i.e., the wheel) has an annular body 51 that has an inner diameter sized such that the annular body 51 may be rotatably mounted to a hub described hereinafter in such a way that the indexing wheel 50 may rotate about a central axis of the hub. The annular body 51 may have a pinion portion 52. The teeth of the pinion portion 52 are sized for meshing engagement with the rack portion 42 of the tapes 40, when the tapes 40 are in the guide ways 34 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Accordingly, rotation of the wheel 50 will result in lateral movement of the tapes 40 in direction B (FIG. 1), to increase or decrease the combined lateral dimension of the tapes 40. As shown in the figures, the rack portion 42 of the tapes 40 faces downwardly, whereas the rack portion 42 of the other of the tapes 40 faces upwardly, such that the rack portions 42 are meshed to opposite sides of the pinion portion 52 of the common wheel 50 of the locking mechanism.

The locking wheel 50 further comprises pawls 53, four pawls 53 being illustrated but more or less pawls 53 being contemplated as well. The pawls 53 may be, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, deformable projections from the annular body 51, circumferentially distributed about the body 51. The pawls 53, as described in detail hereinafter, perform ratchet or indexing function of the system 10 when adjusting the lateral dimension, as tips of the pawls 53 are engaged in the teeth 32 of the annular gear 31, and pins 54 project in an axial direction to enable or prevent ratcheting engagement of the tips of the pawls 53 with the teeth 32 of the annular gear 31. In an embodiment, the locking wheel 50 is a monolithic plastic piece, with the elasticity of the material sufficient for the pawls 53 to deform in the manner described hereinafter. The pawls 53, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, are oriented along a secant vector relative to the annular body 51, although the pawls 53 could also be close to being tangential or radial.

The lateral adjustment sub-system further comprises the dial 60. The dial 60 also has an annular body 61 that is generally flat with a rubbery sheath 62 thereon. As seen in FIG. 3, wedge holes 63 are circumferentially distributed in the annular body 61, the wedge holes 63 being provided to cooperate with the pins 54 of the pawls 53, as will be described hereinafter (four pins 54, thus four wedge holes 63).

A hub 64 projects from the annular body of the dial 60. The hub 64 is a cylindrical body received in the hole 21 of the base 20. The hub 64 serves as rotational support for the components of the lateral adjustment sub-system and the longitudinal adjustment sub-system, the hub 64 being common to both sub-systems. The hub 64 may be connected to the base 20 in any appropriate manner, such as screwing engagement, mating engagement, etc. Moreover, an inverse configuration is considered, with the base 20 equipped with a hub and the dial 60 having a hole. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the hub 64 may have axially extending legs 65, with abutments 66 oriented radially outwardly at the end of the legs 65. The legs 65 may therefore elastically deform when the hub 64 is engaged into the hole 21, in a snap-fitting manner. Likewise, the hub 64 may be disengaged from the base 20 by inwardly depressing the legs 65. In an embodiment, the locking wheel 50 and the dial 60 are not directly interconnected, with the locking wheel 50 rotating on the hub 64. However, the interaction between the pins 54 of the pawls 53 and the wedge holes 63 will result in the movement of the tapes 40 in directions B, whether it is to tighten or loosen the lateral adjustment sub-system of the fitting system 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the tape 70 is shown as having an extremity secured to the helmet A or any other component thereof to be fixed in some manner to the helmet A. The tape 70 has a hoop 72 connected to the helmet or component of the helmet. Pivots 73 interconnect the hoop 72 to the helmet. A rack portion 74 follows a circular path and projects from the hoop 72. Although the tape 70 has a particular configuration with the helmet and the hoop 72, other configurations are considered as well (e.g., two longitudinal tapes 70), provided that the tape is secured directly or indirectly at one end to the helmet, the other end being the rack portion 74 for adjustment in the longitudinal direction C. In similar fashion to the tapes 40, the tape 70 may be connected to the helmet A by a pivot joint or any other appropriate possible interconnection (glue, co-molding, Velcro, fixed connection, etc).

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the locking wheel 80 (i.e., the wheel 80) and dial 90 have similar configurations to the locking wheel 50 and dial 60 of the lateral adjustment sub-system.

The wheel 80 has an annular body 81 that has an inner diameter sized such that the annular body 81 may be rotatably mounted to the hub 64 of the dial 60 in such a way that the wheel 80 may rotate about a central axis of the hub 64. The annular body 81 has a pinion portion 82. The teeth of the pinion portion 82 are sized for meshing engagement with the rack portion 74 of the tape 70, when the tape 70 is in the longitudinal guide ways 35 as shown in FIG. 6. Accordingly, rotation of the wheel 80 will result in longitudinal movement of the tape 70 in direction C (FIG. 1), to increase or decrease the longitudinal dimension of the tape 70.

The wheel 80 further comprises pawls 83. The pawls 83 may be, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, deformable projections from the annular body 81, circumferentially distributed about the body 81. The pawls 83, as described in detail hereinafter, perform the ratchet function of the system 10 when adjusting the longitudinal dimension, by way of pins 84, projecting axially. In an embodiment, the wheel 80 is a monolithic plastic piece, with the elasticity of the material sufficient for the pawls 83 to deform in the manner described hereinafter.

The longitudinal adjustment sub-system further comprises the dial 90. The dial 90 also has an annular body 91 that is generally flat with serrated periphery 92 instead of a rubbery sheath. However, it would be possible to provide the dial 90 with a rubbery sheath. As observed in FIG. 1, the base 20 and cover 30 are designed such that a portion of the dial 90 projects out of the housing, so as to be accessible to the wearer's fingers, for manually rotation of the dial 90.

As seen in FIG. 3, wedge holes 93 project axially from the annular body of the dial 90, the wedge holes 93 being provided to cooperate with the pins 84 of the pawls 83. An inner diameter of the dial 90 is large enough to allow the dial 90 to rotate about the central axis of the hub 64. In an embodiment, the indexing wheel 80 and the dial 90 are not directly interconnected. However, the interaction between the pins 84 of the pawls 83 and the wedge holes 93 will result in the movement of the tape 70 in directions C, whether it is to tighten or loosen the longitudinal adjustment sub-system of the fitting system 10.

The wheel 80 and the dial 90 are also sized so as to be mounted about the hub 64 so as to rotate about the hub 64. The indexing wheel 80 and the dial 90 are held captive onto the hub 64, as they are sandwiched with the wheel 50 between the base 20 and the dial 60.

Now that the various components of the fitting system 10 have been described, its operation is set forth. It is observed that the fitting system 10 has two locking mechanisms, one for the lateral adjustment sub-system of the fitting system 10, and another for the longitudinal adjustment sub-system of the fitting system 10. The locking mechanisms may be said to be for micro-tuning of lateral and longitudinal adjustment, due to the small increments of adjustments resulting from the collaboration between the pawls 53 and teeth 32, and between the pawls 83 and the teeth of the annular gear 23. Moreover, the locking mechanisms may be also be said to be indexing mechanisms, in that there are discrete numbers of engagement positions between the pawls 53 and teeth 32, and between the pawls 83 and the teeth of the annular gear 23.

Referring to FIG. 4, the lateral tightening movement of the indexing wheel 50 and dial 60 is described. The wedge holes 63 of the dial 60 are shown, and are positioned by clockwise rotation to enable the pins 54 of the pawls 53 of the wheel 50 to come into contact with the teeth 32 of the annular gear 31, in conventional ratcheting engagement. As the dial 60 is rotated clockwise, the wedge holes 63 will entrain the pawls 53 in the clockwise rotation, by coming into contact with the pins 54 of the pawls 53. The free ends of the pawls 53 are indexingly engaged in the teeth 32 of the annular gear 31 as the pawls 53 deform when rotated clockwise. The movement of the pawls 53 from one tooth 32 to another may cause an indexing noise. If the rotational force is stopped, the pawls 53 remain locally indexed in the teeth 32, and additional rotation force is required in either orientation to dislodge the indexing wheel 50 from its current indexed orientation—i.e., the locking feature of the system. This clockwise rotation of the wheel 50 and dial 60 results in a pulling action on the tapes 40, as the wheel 50 has its pinion portion 52 meshed to the rack portions 42 of the tapes 40.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the lateral loosening movement of the locking wheel 50 and dial 60 is described. As the dial 60 is rotated counterclockwise, the wedge holes 63 will entrain the pawls 53 in the counterclockwise rotation, by coming into contact with the pins 54 of the pawls 53. However, due to the shape of the wedge holes 63 and their action on the pins 54, the free ends of the pawls 53 are bent and prevented from being indexingly engaged in the teeth 32 of the annular gear 31, enabling the locking wheel 50 to rotate counterclockwise. Because of the disengagement of the ratchet feature, the lateral tapes 40 may be loosened.

This counterclockwise rotation of the locking wheel 50 and dial 60 results in a pushing action on the tapes 40, as the locking wheel 50 has its pinion portion 52 meshed to the rack portions 42 of the tapes 40, thereby loosening the tapes 40. Hence, the dial 60 disengages the ratcheting engagement of the pawls 53 in the annular gear 31. If the CCW rotational force is stopped, the pawls 53 will remain locally indexed in the teeth 32 upon a slight CW rotation or pulling action on the tapes 40. As an alternative to this arrangement, if a BOA™ closure system were used, the presence of pawls would not be necessary.

Referring to FIG. 6, the indexing wheel 80 and dial 90 are shown, and it is observed that the pawls 83 and the wedges 93 have the same configuration as the pawls 53 and wedges 63. In FIG. 6, the view point is from the front, and the counterclockwise rotation show will results in longitudinal tightening.

The embodiment described for the dual direction locking, i.e., in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, is one of the multiple of other configurations considered for dual direction locking. Both lateral adjustment sub-system and longitudinal adjustment sub-system have dials 60 and 90 that rotate about a common rotational axis, mainly that of the hub 64. Accordingly, the same manipulation (rotations about B) is required from a user in order to adjust the fitting system 10 in both directions X and C. Moreover, the use of a common hub 64 reduces the number of components required in spite of offering both lateral adjustment and longitudinal adjustment.

With the adjustable stabilization system 10 of the present application, the circumferential and up-down adjustment may be done at a single location, with two fingers of a single hand. While not recommended, it may be possible for an athlete to perform the circumferential and up-down helmet adjustments of the stabilization straps while in movement. It is contemplated to arrange the locking mechanisms in such a way that a same direction of rotation will result in a same result, e.g., clockwise rotation of the dials 60 and 90 cause a tightening of the tapes,

The method for securing the helmet A to one's head, comprises positioning the helmet 10 on the head. The dial 60 of the first locking mechanism, located in an occipital region of the head, is rotated to tighten the fitting system 10 of the helmet circumferentially. The dial 90 of the second locking mechanism, located in the occipital region of the head, is rotated to tighten the fitting system 10 of the helmet medially. The retention system A1 is attached to secure the helmet A to the head. The steps of rotating the first locking mechanism, rotating the second locking mechanism and attaching the retention system are performed in any order, by the wearer or by a person assisting the wearer (e.g., parent with a child). The dial 60 of the first locking mechanism and the dial 90 of the second locking mechanism may be rotated in a same direction to tighten the helmet A. Moreover, the dial 60 of the first locking mechanism and the dial 90 of the second locking mechanism may be rotated about a common axis. The dial 60 of the first locking mechanism and the dial 90 of the second locking mechanism may be rotated with two fingers of a same hand. The dials 60 and 90 may be rotated in an opposite directing than a tightening direction to loosen the fitting system circumferentially and medially, respectively.

Claims

1. A fitting system for a helmet comprising:

a housing;

at least one lateral tape having a first end adapted to be connected to a helmet component, and a second end received in the housing, the at least one lateral tape enabling a lateral adjustment of the fitting system;

at least one longitudinal tape having a first end adapted to be connected to a helmet component, and a second end received in the housing, the at least one longitudinal tape enabling a longitudinal adjustment of the fitting system;

a first locking mechanism operatively connected to the second end of the at least one lateral tape and rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise to adjust the lateral adjustment and lock the at least one lateral tape at the adjusted lateral adjustment; and

a second locking mechanism operatively connected to the second end of the at least one longitudinal tape and rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise to adjust the longitudinal adjustment and lock the at least one longitudinal tape at the adjusted longitudinal adjustment.

2. The fitting system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lateral tape has a rack portion at its second end;

wherein the at least one longitudinal tape has a rack portion at its second end;

wherein the first locking mechanism has a pinion portion meshed to the rack portion of the at least one lateral tape; and

wherein the second locking mechanism has a pinion portion meshed to the rack portion of the at least one longitudinal tape.

3. The fitting system according to claim 2, comprising a pair of the at least one lateral tape, the pair of lateral tapes commonly meshed to the pinion portion of the first locking mechanism.

4. The fitting system according to claim 3, wherein the rack portion of the first of the pair of lateral tapes faces downwardly, the rack portion of the second of the pair of lateral tapes faces upwardly, such that the rack portions are meshed to opposite sides of the pinion portion of the first locking mechanism.

5. The fitting system according to claim 1, wherein the first locking mechanism has a first wheel, and the second locking mechanism has a second wheel, the first wheel and the second wheel rotating about a common axis.

6. The fitting system according to claim 5, wherein the first wheel and the second wheel rotate about a common hub.

7. The fitting system according to claim 6, wherein the common hub is integrally connected to the first wheel, with the second wheel rotatably mounted to the common hub.

8. The fitting system according to claim 7, wherein the common hub is matingly received in a hole of the housing to form a rotational joint.

9. The fitting system according to claim 8, wherein the common hub has axially-projecting legs with end abutments for snap-fitting engagement with the housing.

10. The fitting system according to claim 5, wherein the first wheel has pawls in ratchet engagement with a first annular gear in the housing, and the second wheel has pawls in ratchet engagement with a second annular gear in the housing, the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism respectively having a first dial and a second dial each having wedges for reversing the ratchet engagement of the first wheel and the second wheel, respectively, in the first annular gear and the second annular gear, respectively.

11. The fitting system according to claim 1, wherein the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism are arranged such that a tightening of the lateral adjustment and of the longitudinal adjustment is achieved by a rotation in a same rotational direction.

12. The fitting system according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a respective guide channel for each said at least one lateral tape and for each said at least one longitudinal tape.

13. The fitting system according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal tape forms a hoop with the second end projecting from the hoop.

14. The fitting system according to claim 13, wherein the first end of the longitudinal tape comprises two connection points on the hoop.

15. A helmet comprising:

a helmet body defining a cavity configured to cover a portion of a user's head;

a retention system to secure the helmet body to the user's head; and

the fitting system according to claim 1, wherein the housing is adapted to be located in an occipital region of the user's head,

wherein the at least one lateral tape generally lies in a transverse plane of the helmet to adjust a lateral distance between the housing and the helmet body, and

wherein the at least one longitudinal tape generally lies in a transverse plane of the helmet to adjust a medial distance between the housing and the helmet body.

16. A method for securing a helmet to one's head, comprising:

positioning the helmet on the head;

rotating a first locking mechanism located in an occipital region of the head to tighten a fitting system of the helmet circumferentially;

rotating a second locking mechanism located in the occipital region of the head to tighten the fitting system of the helmet medially; and

attaching a retention system to secure the helmet to the head;

wherein the steps of rotating the first locking mechanism, rotating the second locking mechanism and attaching the retention system are performed in any order.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein rotating the first locking mechanism and rotating the second locking mechanism to tighten the fitting system comprises rotating the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism in a same direction.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein rotating the first locking mechanism and rotating the second locking mechanism to tighten the fitting system comprises rotating the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism about a common axis.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein rotating the first locking mechanism and rotating the second locking mechanism to tighten the fitting system comprises rotating the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism with two fingers of a same hand.

20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising rotating the first locking mechanism and rotating the second locking mechanism in an opposite directing than a tightening direction to loosen the fitting system circumferentially and medially, respectively.