A safety device for preventing the use of a motor cycle, particularly a moped, by a user without a helmet

Claim 2

A safety device for the users of vehicles, particularly mopeds, the driving of which makes the use of a protective helmet necessary or advisable, characterised in that it comprises means (15, 17) for preventing the operation of the vehicle (M) and means (3, 5, 10, 16), associated with the helmet (H), for deactivating the prevention means and operative only when the helmet is being worn.

Claim 3

A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that it comprises: - a transmitter unit (1) incorporated in the helmet (H) and including electrical supply means (3) for emitting coded signals, sensor means (10) for detecting the fact that the helmet (H) is being worn, and a control unit (25) connected to the sensor means (10) and to the emitter means (3) and arranged to activate the emitter means (3) only when the sensor means (10) detect the fact that the helmet (H) is being worn, - a receiver unit (2) fitted to the vehicle (M) and including an electrical supply, and means (16) for receiving the coded signals, means (17) for preventing the operation of the engine (E) of the vehicle (M) and a control unit (15) connected to the receiver means (16) and to the prevention means (17) and arranged to switch on the prevention means (17) in the absence of the coded signals.

Claim 4

A device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the electrical supply of the transmitter unit (1) is provided by a rechargeable buffer battery (7) and means (8, 9) for recharging the battery (7).

Claim 5

A device according to Claim 3, characterised in that the recharging means comprise solar cells (8) fitted to the helmet (H).

Claim 6

A device according to Claim 3, or Claim 4, characterised in that the recharging means comprise a charger (9) which can be connected to an external supply.

Claim 7

A device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the electrical supply of the transmitter unit (1) is provided by a supply of the vehicle (M).

Claim 8

A device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the sensor means (10) of the transmitter unit (1) include a capacitative sensor (11) for sensing the presence of a head inside the helmet (H).

Claim 9

A device according to Claim 2 or Claim 7, characterised in that the sensor means (10) of the transmitter unit (1) include an inductive sensor (12) for sensing the presence of a head in the helmet.

Claim 10

A device according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, characterised in that the sensor means (10) of the transmitter unit (1) also include means (13) for detecting the fact that the retaining members of the helmet (H) are fastened.

Claim 11

A device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the prevention means of the receiver unit (2) comprise at least a device (17) for short-circuiting the ignition system of the vehicle (M).

Claim 12

A device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the receiver unit (2) also includes a warning device (19) connected to the control unit (15), for indicating that the prevention means (17) are switched on.