Improvements in or relating to helmets

Abstract

A helmet ( 10 ) comprises an outer shell ( 12 ), an inner lining ( 14 ), and at least one releasable connector arrangement adapted to enable the outer shell ( 12 ) to be removably attached to the inner lining ( 14 ). The releasable connector arrangement includes a connecting stem ( 28 ) on the outer shell ( 12 ), and a receiving channel ( 30 ) in the inner lining ( 14 ).

1 . A helmet comprising:
 an inner lining;   outer shell having an inner surface that faces the inner lining when the helmet is assembled; and   at least one releasable connector arrangement adapted to enable the outer shell to be removably attached to the inner lining, wherein the releasable connector arrangement includes a connecting stem on the outer shell, and a receiving channel in the inner lining, further wherein the connecting stem extends from the inner surface of the outer shell.   
     
     
         2 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting stem is formed integrally with the outer shell. 
     
     
         3 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , further comprising a locking device configured to engage a distal end of the connecting stem to lock the connecting stem in the receiving channel and thereby lock the outer shell onto the inner lining. 
     
     
         4 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner lining includes an outer surface which, in use, faces the inner surface of the outer shell, and an inner surface which, in use, faces the head of a wearer of the helmet, wherein the receiving channel has aligned openings in the inner and outer surfaces of the inner lining. 
     
     
         5 . A helmet according to  claim 4 , wherein the releasable connector arrangement further includes a removable cap, the removable cap being configured to fit over and engage a distal end of the connecting stem to maintain the connecting stem in the receiving channel. 
     
     
         6 . A helmet according to  claim 5 , wherein a width of the receiving channel increases towards an opening in the inner surface of the inner lining such that a shoulder is defined in a wall of the inner lining which defines the receiving channel, and wherein the connecting stem projects beyond the shoulder when the connecting stem of the outer shell is inserted into the receiving channel of the inner lining in use, and wherein a width of the removable cap is greater than the width of the receiving channel on the proximal side of the shoulder and directly proximate the shoulder such that, in use, the removable cap maintains the connecting stem in the receiving channel by abutting against the shoulder. 
     
     
         7 . A helmet according to  claim 5 , further comprising a cap connection having a locked and an unlocked configuration, the cap connection comprising a projection on the connecting stem and an aperture in the removable cap, the aperture in the removable cap comprising a circumferential portion, which extends in a circumferential direction with respect to the removable cap, and a radial portion, which extends in a radial direction with respect to the removable cap, wherein in the locked configuration the projection is retained in the circumferential portion of the aperture, and wherein the cap connection is moved from the unlocked to the locked configuration by the user rotating the removable cap with respect to the connecting stem to move the projection from the radial portion to the circumferential portion. 
     
     
         8 . A helmet according to  claim 7 , wherein the removable cap also comprises a viewing slot, wherein a user is able to view the projection on the connecting stem through the viewing slot when the cap connection is in the locked configuration, and the user is not able to view the projection through the viewing slot when the cap connection is in the unlocked configuration. 
     
     
         9 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , further comprising a strap arrangement for fastening the helmet to a user's head, the strap arrangement being removably attachable to at least one of the inner lining and the outer shell, wherein, in use, at least one portion of the strap arrangement is located between the outer surface of the inner lining and the inner surface of the outer shell. 
     
     
         10 . A helmet according to  claim 9 , wherein the strap arrangement is removably attachable to the outer shell. 
     
     
         11 . A helmet according to  claim 10 , wherein the outer surface of the inner lining is provided with at least one recess in which said at least one portion of the strap arrangement is located in use. 
     
     
         12 . A helmet according to  claim 10 , wherein the strap arrangement comprises at least one strap connector, the at least one strap connector being configured to form an interference or snap-fit with a corresponding engagement structure of the outer shell in order to effect the removable attachment. 
     
     
         13 . A helmet according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one strap connector is configured as a hook and the engagement structure of the outer shell defines a seating location for the hook. 
     
     
         14 . A helmet according to  claim 13 , wherein the hook includes a barb and the seating location of the outer shell includes an aperture adapted to receive the barb. 
     
     
         15 . A helmet according to  claim 13 , wherein the strap arrangement includes a plurality of hooks and the outer shell includes a corresponding plurality of seating locations. 
     
     
         16 . An outer shell for a helmet that includes an inner lining, wherein the outer shell has an inner surface that faces the inner lining when the helmet is assembled, and at least one releasable connector arrangement is adapted to enable the outer shell to be removably attached to the inner lining, wherein the releasable connector arrangement includes a connecting stem on the outer shell, and a receiving channel in the inner lining, further wherein the connecting stem extends from the inner surface of the outer shell. 
     
     
         17 . An inner lining for a helmet that includes an outer shell having an inner surface that faces the inner lining when the helmet is assembled, and at least one releasable connector arrangement is adapted to enable the outer shell to be removably attached to the inner lining, wherein the releasable connector arrangement includes a connecting stem on the outer shell, and a receiving channel in the inner lining, further wherein the connecting stem extends from the inner surface of the outer shell.