Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A SPORTS HELMET
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
This patent document contains material which is subject to copyright
protection.
The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone
of
this patent document as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office-patent
file
or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of helmets and in particular to a sports
helmet
which is characterized by two or more panel sections that cooperatively adjust
to
accomodate various head sizes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of helmets to protect the head from injury is common place in sports
and
recreation. Typical helmet construction consists of a rigid or semi-rigid
shell
formed into a generally domed-shape, which covers the majority of the user's
head and frequently incorporates a chinstrap to secure the shell in the
preferred
position on the head. Depending upon the shell construction, padding or
cushioning may also be provided along the inside of the shell for increased
comfort, better fit and to assist in the absorption of any impact forces.
Typically, the major impact-absorbing element of a helmet is a foamed polymer
liner, commonly made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) bonded to a plastic outer
skin, or the hard rigid shell is lined with soft padding. Polymer foams are
chosen
because they are easily fabricated and because, unlike honeycombs, their
ability
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to absorb energy is omni-directional. A helmet designer empirically selects
the
density and thickness to meet standard impact-tests, which are at constant
velocity (5 m/s) onto rigid anvils. The liner thickness is limited by
practicalities
and, to some extent, styling. Conventional helmets have almost the same liner-
thickness: 20mm. As a result, when worn, these helmets project outwardly from
the wearer's head, increasing the diameter of the natural skull and adding
physical disproportion of head to shoulder/torso, for optimal muscular
control.
Moreover, a typical helmet simply serves to increase the weight of the head
relative to the neck muscles, which is well-researched cause of both soft
tissue
and bone injuries. More important for injuries, this additional weight
increases
the acceleration potential ((increased) mass x velocity) of the brain inside
the
cranium, after impact.
Upon impact from anything other than a true perpendicular force vector, the
skull/helmet combination acts as a fulcrum as the neck and body 'bends' around
it. With increased diameter, the range and magnitude of 'bend' at the fulcrum
is
dramatically increased and ultimately, the quantity and quality of associated
injuries. This is one of the most common ways for avulsion of bone, discs and
muscles and it is the classical method for cervical nerve root stretch,
rupture or
avulsion. Termed a 'zinger' in its mild, temporary form, permanent total nerve
loss results when the 'bending' injury is more severe. Larger diameter and/or
added weight invariably increase rotational force potential and rotation,
according
to whiplash research, is the most destructive.
Presently, many convention non-motorized helmets (i.e. for skateboard,
snowboard and rollerblade) are manufactured in only one size... extra large.
To
accommodate smaller sizes manufacturing companies simply put in more soft
foam rubber as the innermost layer. While this layer of foam rubber allows for
the helmet to fit multiple sizes, it does nothing to protect the head, and
everything
to discourage use.
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The best choice of liner material is that which absorbs the most energy/unit
volume, while limiting the load on the head to a less-than-damaging level.
Lazy
and unimaginative helmet design has created the problem of bulky, inefficient
and unnecessarily large helmets.
Accordingly, a need exists for a sports helmet that will adjust to various
head
sizes while offering identical or superior safety performance. Other objects
of the
invention will be apparent from the description that follows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sports
helmet for protecting a user's head from impact forces. The helmet may include
a generally dome shaped shell, the shell being formed from a semi-rigid
material
and sized and contoured to substantially cover the user's head. The shell may
include a top portion shaped to cover the top surface of the user's head and a
plurality of panel portions.
Each of the panel portions may have a top and a bottom region and may be
connected to the top portion at the top region and shaped to extend down and
around the user's head from the top region to the bottom region.
An aperture may be formed through each of the plurality of panel portions
adjacent each of the bottom regions.
A plurality of fasteners, such as a tab member with anchor protrusions, may be
provided, each of which are sized for insertion through the aperture in a
panel
portion and operable to connect to an adjacent panel portion to adjustably
couple
each of the plurality of panel portions to the adjacent panel portion.
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The helmet may further include a plurality of apertures formed through each of
the plurality of panel portions adjacent each of the bottom regions.
The plurality of panel portions may each comprise relief sections adjacent the
top
portion and respective top regions and relief sections adjacent the respective
apertures and bottom regions.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
sports
helmet for protecting a user's head from impact forces. The helmet may include
a generally dome shaped shell, the shell being formed from a semi-rigid
material
and sized and contoured to substantially cover the user's head. The shell may
include a top portion shaped to cover the top surface of the user's head and a
plurality of panel portions.
Each of the plurality of panel portions may have first and second side edges
and
top and bottom regions. Each of the plurality of panel portions may be
connected
to the top portion at the respective top regions and shaped to extend down and
around the user's head from the respective top regions to the respective
bottom
regions.
A first aperture may be formed through each of the plurality of panel portions
adjacent each of the respective first side edges and bottom regions. A second
aperture may also be formed through each of the plurality of panel portions
adjacent each of the respective second side edges and bottom regions.
A plurality of fasteners, such as a tab member with anchor protrusions, may be
provided, each of which are sized for insertion through the first aperture of
a
panel portion and through the second aperture of an adjacent panel portion to
adjustably couple each of the plurality of panel portions to the adjacent
panel
portion.
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The plurality of panel portions may each be dimensioned so that the respective
first and second side edges from each of the respective top regions to the
respective bottom regions are comprised of a plurality of non-linear edges,
the
plurality of non-linear edges of the first side edge of a first panel
corresponding
with the second side edge of an adjacent panel.
The plurality of panel portions may each comprise relief sections adjacent the
top
portion and respective top regions and relief sections adjacent the respective
apertures and bottom regions.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
sports helmet for protecting a user's head from impact forces. The helmet may
include a generally dome shaped shell, the shell being formed from a semi-
rigid
material and sized and contoured to substantially cover the user's head
The shell may include a top portion shaped to cover the top surface of the
user's
head, a front panel portion having top and bottom regions, a first side panel
portion having top and bottom regions, a second side panel portion having top
and bottom regions, and a rear panel portion having top and bottom regions.
The
front panel portion may be connected to the top portion at the top region of
the
front panel portion and shaped to extend down and around the user's forehead
from the top region to the bottom region of the front panel portion. The first
side
panel portion may also be connected to the top portion at the top region of
the
first side panel portion adjacent the front panel portion and shaped to extend
down and around a first side of the user's head from the top region to the
bottom
region of the first side panel portion. The second side panel portion may also
be
connected to the top portion at the top region of the second side panel potion
adjacent the front panel portion and shaped to extend down and around a
second side of the user's head from the top region to the bottom region of the
second side panel portion. Finally, the rear panel portion may be connected to
the top portion at the top region of the rear panel portion adjacent each of
the first
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and second side panel portions and shaped to extend down and around the back
of the user's head from the top region to the bottom region of the rear panel
portion.
An aperture may be formed through each of the panel portions adjacent each of
the bottom regions.
A plurality of fasteners, such as a tab member with anchor protrusions, may be
provided, each of which are sized for insertion through the aperture in a
panel
portion and operable to connect to an adjacent panel portion to adjustably
couple
each of the panel portions to the adjacent panel portion.
The helmet may further include a plurality of apertures formed through each of
the plurality of panel portions adjacent each of the bottom regions.
The plurality of panel portions may each comprise relief sections adjacent the
top
portion and respective top regions and relief sections adjacent the respective
apertures and bottom regions.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
sports helmet for protecting a user's head from impact forces. The helmet may
include a generally dome shaped shell, the shell being formed from a semi-
rigid
material and sized and contoured to substantially cover the user's head
The shell may include a top portion shaped to cover the top surface of the
user's
head, a front panel portion having first and second side edges and top and
bottom regions, a first side panel portion having first and second side edges
and
top and bottom regions, a second side panel portion having first and second
side
edges and top and bottom regions, and a rear panel portion having first and
second side edges and top and bottom regions. The front panel portion may
connected to the top portion at the top region of the front panel portion and
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shaped to extend down and around the user's forehead from the top region to
the
bottom region of the front panel portion. The first side panel portion may
also be
connected to said top portion at said top region of said first side panel
portion
adjacent said front panel portion and shaped to extend down and around a first
side of the user's head from said top region to said bottom region of said
first side
panel portion. The second side panel portion may be connected to the top
portion at the top region of the second side panel potion adjacent the front
panel
portion and shaped to extend down and around a second side of the user's head
from the top region to the bottom region of the second side panel portion.
Finally,
the rear panel portion may be connected to the top portion at the top region
of the
rear panel portion adjacent each of the first and second side panel portions
and
shaped to extend down and around the back of the user's head from the top
region to the bottom region of the rear panel portion;
A first aperture may be formed through each of the front, first side, second
side
and rear panel portions adjacent each of the respective first side edges and
bottom regions. A second aperture may also be formed through each of the
front, first side, second side and rear panel portions adjacent each of the
respective second side edges and bottom regions.
A plurality of fasteners, such as a tab member with anchor protrusions, may be
provided, each of which are sized for insertion through the first aperture of
a
panel portion and through the second aperture of an adjacent panel portion to
adjustably couple each of the panel portions to the adjacent panel portion.
The plurality of panel portions may each be dimensioned so that the respective
first and second side edges from each of the respective top regions to the
respective bottom regions are comprised of a plurality of non-linear edges,
the
plurality of non-linear edges of the first side edge of a first panel
corresponding
with the second side edge of an adjacent panel. Additionally, the plurality of
panel portions may each comprise relief sections adjacent the top portion and
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respective top regions and relief sections adjacent the respective apertures
and
bottom regions.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
sports helmet for protecting a user's head from impact forces. The helmet may
include a generally dome shaped shell, the shell being formed from a semi-
rigid
material and sized and contoured to substantially cover the user's head. The
shell may include a top portion shaped to cover the top surface of the user's
head, a plurality of panel portions and means to adjustably couple each of the
plurality of panel portions to an adjacent panel portion. Each of the panel
portions may have a top and a bottom region and may be connected to the top
portion at the top region and shaped to extend down and around the user's head
from the top region to the bottom region; and
The helmet may further include a plurality of apertures formed through each of
the plurality of panel portions adjacent each of the bottom regions. The means
to
adjustably couple each of the plurality of panel portions to the adjacent
panel
portion may include a fastener with anchor protrusions operable to fit into
the
apertures.
The plurality of panel portions may each comprise relief sections adjacent the
top
portion and respective top regions and relief sections adjacent the respective
apertures and bottom regions.
Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the
detailed
description of the preferred embodiment and to the claims that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The preferred embodiment of the invention will be described by reference to
the
drawings thereof in which:
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Fig. 1 is left side front perspective view of the sports helmet of the present
invention;
Fig. 2 is a left side elevation view of the sports helmet of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a right side front perspective view of the sports helmet of the
present
invention;
Fig. 4 is a right side elevation view of the sports helmet of Fig. 3
Fig. 5 is a rear side elevation view of the sports helmet of the present
invention;
and
Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the sports helmet of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
OF THE INVENTION
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 there is provided a sports helmet 10 for protecting
a
user's head from impact forces. The helmet 10 includes a generally dome
shaped shell 12, the shell being formed from a semi-rigid material and sized
and
contoured to substantially cover the user's head. The shell 12 includes a top
portion 14 shaped to cover the top surface of the user's head.
A plurality of panel portions are also provided. In the preferred embodiment,
the
plurality of panel portions includes a front panel portion 16 that has top
region 18
and a bottom region 20. The front panel portion 16 is connected to the top
portion 14 at the top region 18 and is shaped from the top region to the
bottom
region 18 to extend down and around the user's forehead.
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In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of panel portions also includes a
first
side panel portion 22 that has a top region 24 and a bottom region 26. The
first
side panel portion 22 is connected to the top portion 14 at the top region 24
adjacent the front panel portion 14 and shaped from the top region to the
bottom
region 26 to extend down and around a first side of the user's head.
Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, in the preferred embodiment, the plurality of
panel
portions also includes a second side panel portion 28 that has a top region 30
and a bottom region 32. The second side panel portion 28 is connected to the
top portion 14 at the top region 30 adjacent the front panel portion 14 and
shaped
from the top region to the bottom region 32 to extend down and around a second
side of the user's head.
Referring to Fig. 5, in the preferred embodiment, the plurality of panel
portions
also includes a rear panel portion 34 that has a top region 36 and a bottom
region 38. The rear panel portion 34 is connected to the top portion 14 at the
top
region 36 adjacent both the first 22 and second 28 side panel portions and is
shaped from the top region to the bottom region 38 to extend down and around
the back of the user's head.
As best depicted in Figs. 1 and 3, front panel portion 16 also includes a
first edge
40 and second side edge 42. Likewise, first side panel portion 22 includes a
first
edge 44 and second side edge 46, second side panel portion 28 includes a first
edge 48 and second side edge 50, and rear panel portion 34 includes a first
edge
52 and second side edge 54.
In the preferred embodiment, shell 12 includes a first aperture 56 formed
through
each of said front 16, first side 22, second side 28 and rear 34 panel
portions
adjacent each of the respective first side edges and bottom regions. A second
aperture 58 is also formed through each of said front 16, first side, 22
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side 28 and rear 34 panel portions adjacent each of the respective second side
edges and bottom regions.
Helmet 10 also includes a plurality of fasteners or tabs 60 each of which are
sized for insertion through the first aperture 56 of one panel portion and
through
the second aperture 58 of an adjacent panel portion to adjustably couple each
of
the panel portions together. To hold the tabs 60 in the first 56 and second 58
apertures, the tabs may include anchor protrusions 62. Preferably, anchor
protrusions 62 are dimensioned to allow for insertion into first 56 and second
58
apertures while at the same time preventing the plurality of panel portions
from
separating from one-another. To aid in insertion, tab 60 and anchor
protrusions
62 may be constructed of flexible material to allow the tab and anchor
protrusions
to twist and turn into first 56 and second 58 apertures. Additionally,
flexible tab
members allow the panel portions to move relative to each other providing a
custom fit for any particular head size. Although the preferred embodiment
depicts a fastener or tabs 60 fitting through a plurality of apertures, as
those
skilled in the art will appreciate, any means to adjustably couple each of the
plurality of panel portions to an adjacent panel portion will do. For example,
adjustable means may include a fastener secured on one panel via a weld,
rivet,
snap and then fitted through an aperture of an adjacent panel. Alternatively,
adjustable means may include a ratchet system as commonly found on safety
helmets.
As best depicted in Figs. 2, 4 and 6, the plurality of panel portions each
comprise
top relief sections 64 adjacent the top portion 14 and respective said top
regions.
The plurality of panel portions also each comprise bottom relief sections 66
adjacent the respective plurality of apertures and bottom regions. The relief
sections provide venting for the helmet 10 as well as providing a terminus for
the
non-linear edges discussed below.
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For each of the plurality of panel portions, from the top relief sections 64
to the
bottom relief sections 66, the panel portions are dimensioned so that the
respective first and second side edges are formed from a plurality of non-
linear
edges so that the first side edge of a first panel corresponds with the second
side
edge of an adjacent panel. Corresponding side edges allows the helmet 10 to
meet with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for drop
tests onto various sized anvils. By incorporating non-linear edges, helmet 10
avoids the possibility that an object will align with an opening and enter the
helmet.
Once the fastener tabs 60 are inserted into first aperture 56 of one panel
portion
and through the second aperture 58 of an adjacent panel portion, helmet 10 may
be placed over a user's head. By adjustably coupling the panel portions
together, a user can custom fit the helmet 10 to his or her particular head
size
and shape.
It will thus be seen that a new and novel sports sports helmet has been
illustrated
and described and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the
spirit
of the invention.
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