US5604930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pair of hinges with synchronized operation for the attachment of a retractable visor to a helmet
Assignee: Thales Avionics SAS
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Filing: 1995-09-15
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Granted: 1997-02-25
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Expires: 2015-09-15
Abstract
Abstract The disclosed pair of hinges enables the visor to be swung with respect to the shell of the helmet in a complex motion that starts in a turned-down position by a motion of translation moving the visor away from the shell of the helmet in order to move it away from a shoulder or joint, if any, and continues up to a raised position by a rotation that retracts the visor over the shell of the helmet. They are synchronized mechanically by a system of gear wheels meshing with racks connected by a sheathed cable and being operated by just one hand by one of the handles with which it is fitted.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric Petit
- 👤 Vincent Vitte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:19
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/18; A42B3/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A pair of hinges with synchronized operation for the fastening of a retractable visor to a helmet, wherein each hinge comprises: a pivot pin pivoting about an axis that is fixed with respect to the side wall of the helmet; a side fastening lug for the visor fitted on to the pivot pin by means of a buttonhole-shaped hole whose width permits, in addition to the rotational motion, a clearance for the visor in translation with respect to the helmet, said lug being provided with a cam-shaped notch in which there slides a finger fixedly joined to the side wall of the helmet to guide the visor in translation and rotation when it is swinging with respect to the helmet; a rotary wrist pin fixed to the pivot pin that gets engaged in an ovalized hole of the fastening lug so that, by its motion of rotation with the pivot pin, it causes the swinging of said fastening lug; a handle fixed to said wrist pin on the exterior of the hinge so that it can be rotated by hand; and elastic draw-back means drawing back the wrist pin in the end positions of its range of clearance in rotation; and wherein said hinges are coupled by mechanical means of synchronization that synchronize the motions of their wrist pins.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
A pair of hinges with synchronized operation for the fastening of a retractable visor to a helmet, wherein each hinge comprises: a pivot pin pivoting about an axis that is fixed with respect to the side wall of the helmet; a side fastening lug for the visor fitted on to the pivot pin by means of a buttonhole-shaped hole whose width permits, in addition to the rotational motion, a clearance for the visor in translation with respect to the helmet, said lug being provided with a cam-shaped notch in which there slides a finger fixedly joined to the side wall of the helmet to guide the visor in translation and rotation when it is swinging with respect to the helmet; a rotary wrist pin fixed to the pivot pin that gets engaged in an ovalized hole of the fastening lug so that, by its motion of rotation with the pivot pin, it causes the swinging of said fastening lug; a handle fixed to said wrist pin on the exterior of the hinge so that it can be rotated by hand; and elastic draw-back means drawing back the wrist pin in the end positions of its range of clearance in rotation; and wherein said hinges are coupled by mechanical means of synchronization that synchronize the motions of their wrist pins.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
99 words
A pair of hinges according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical synchronization means comprise: a cable that slides in a sheath connecting the two hinges in following the contour of the shell of the helmet and is fitted, at its two ends, with a rack and two toothed gear wheels, fixedly joined to the pivot pins and the wrist pins of the hinges, that mesh in with the racks so that a rotational motion of a wrist pin gives rise to a sliding of the cable in its sheath and an identical rotational motion of the other wrist pin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A pair of hinges according to claim 2, wherein said gear wheels and the racks are mounted in a gear box housed at the base of each hinge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A pair of hinges according to claim 1, wherein said handle has the shape of a shell with recesses for the fingertips on its external face, making it easier for it to be grasped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A pair of hinges according to claim 1, wherein said elastic draw-back means pulling back the wrist pin in the end positions of its range of clearance comprise a pull-back spring attached between a toe of an auxiliary arm of the wrist pin and a fixed pin fixedly joined to the side wall of the helmet.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-02-25 | 2000-08-26 | 2001-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-25 | 2004-08-26 | 2005-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-25 | 2008-08-26 | 2009-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |