Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Cord Lock Fit System for a Helmet
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This document claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional
Patent
Application 62/090,195, entitled "Cord Lock Fit System for a Helmet" to Musal
that was filed on
December 10, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0002] Aspects of this document relate generally to fit adjustment systems for
protective
helmets.
2. Background Art
[0003] Protective head gear and helmets have been used in a wide variety of
applications
and across a number of industries including sports, athletics, construction,
mining, military
defense, and others, to prevent damage to a users head and brain. Damage and
injury to a user
can be prevented or reduced by preventing hard objects or sharp objects from
directly contacting
the user's head, and also from absorbing, distributing, or otherwise managing
energy of the
impact. Conventional fit adjustment systems include a rotatable ratchet,
wherein rotation of the
ratchet adjusts the size of the fit system.
SUMMARY
[0004] Aspects of a helmet with a cord lock fit system may comprise a
protective shell
and an adjustable fit system coupled to and positioned at least partially
within the protective
shell, the adjustable fit system comprising a frame comprising two cord
attachment points and
coupled to the protective shell, a cord fixedly coupled to the two cord
attachment points of the
frame, and a tension device releasably coupled to the cord between the two
attachment points, the
tensioning device configured to adjust a distance between the two attachment
points of the frame
via movement of the tensioning device relative to the cord to adjust a size of
the adjustable fit
system.
[0005] Particular embodiments of the helmet may further comprise wherein the
cord
passes through the tensioning device to form a first portion of the cord
between each cord
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attachment point of the frame and the tensioning device, and a second portion
of the cord
extending from the tensioning device away from the first portion of the cord.
The Cord may
comprise a single cord extending between the two attachment points and the
second portion of
the cord forms a loop extending from the tensioning device. The frame may
further comprise a
loop clip configured to receive the loop for removable coupling. The
tensioning device may
comprise a spring-loaded cord lock comprising a spring and a tab configured to
releasably couple
the cord within the tensioning device. The frame may comprise two opposing
helmet attachment
end points coupled to the helmet. The frame may comprise a central helmet
attachment point
coupled to the helmet. The tensioning device may be integrally formed to the
frame of the
adjustable fit system.
[0006] According to another aspect, an adjustable fit system for a protective
helmet may
comprise a frame comprising two cord attachment points, a cord fixedly coupled
to the two cord
attachment points of the frame, and a tension device releasably coupled to the
cord between the
two attachment points, the tensioning device configured to adjust a distance
between the two
attachment points of the frame via movement of the tensioning device relative
to the cord to
adjust a size of the adjustable fit system.
[0007] Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following. The
cord
may pass through the tensioning device to form a first portion of the cord
between each cord
attachment point of the frame and the tensioning device, and a second portion
of the cord
extending from the tensioning device away from the first portion of the cord.
The cord may
comprise a single cord extending between the two attachment points and the
second portion of
the cord forms a loop extending from the tensioning device. The frame may
further comprise a
loop clip configured to receive the loop for removable coupling. The
tensioning device may
comprise a spring-loaded cord lock comprising a spring and a tab configured to
releasably couple
the cord within the tensioning device. The frame may comprise two opposing
helmet attachment
end points configured to couple to a helmet. The frame may comprise a central
helmet
attachment point configured to coupled to a helmet. The tensioning device may
be integrally
formed to the frame of the adjustable fit system.
[0008] In another aspect, a method of securing a protective helmet to a head
of a
wearermay comprise placing a helmet on a head of a wearer, the helmet
comprising an adjustable
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fit system coupled to and positioned at least partially within a protective
shell of the helmet, the
adjustable fit system comprising a frame comprising two cord attachment points
and coupled to
the protective shell, a cord fixedly coupled to the two cord attachment points
of the frame, and a
tension device releasably coupled to the cord between the two attachment
points, and tensioning
the cord to adjust a fit of the helmet by adjusting a distance between the two
attachment points of
the frame by moving the tensioning device relative to the cord.
[0009] Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following.
Tensioning
the cord may comprise tensioning a first portion of the cord extending between
the attachment
point and the tensioning device by pulling a second portion of the cord
extending from the
tensioning device away from the attachment point. Pulling a second portion of
the cord may
comprise pulling a looped second portion extending from the tensioning device.
Removably
coupling the looped second portion to a loop clip on the frame.
[0010] The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will be
apparent to
those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from the DESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS,
and from
the CLAIMS.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the
appended
drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and:
[0012] FIG. 1A is a rear view of a helmet having a fit adjust adjustment
system;
[0013] FIG. 1B is a bottom view of a rear portion of a helmet having a fit
adjustment
system;
[0014] FIG. 2A is a rear view of a fit adjustment system with a looped second
portion of
a cord detached from a loop clip;
[0015] FIG. 2B is a rear view of a fit adjustment system with a looped second
portion of a
cord detachably coupled to a loop clip;
[0016] FIG. 2C is a side view of a fit adjustment system with a looped second
portion of
a cord detachably coupled to a loop clip; and
[0017] FIG. 2D is a close up view of a tensioning device of a fit adjustment
system.
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DESCRIPTION
[0018] This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to
the specific
material types, components, methods, or other examples disclosed herein. Many
additional
material types, components, methods, and procedures known in the art are
contemplated for use
with particular implementations from this disclosure. Accordingly, for
example, although
particular implementations are disclosed, such implementations and
implementing components
may comprise any components, models, types, materials, versions, quantities,
and/or the like as is
known in the art for such systems and implementing components, consistent with
the intended
operation.
[0019] The words "exemplary," "example," or various forms thereof are used
herein to
mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design
described herein as
"exemplary" or as an "example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred
or advantageous
over other aspects or designs. Furthermore, examples are provided solely for
purposes of clarity
and understanding and are not meant to limit or restrict the disclosed subject
matter or relevant
portions of this disclosure in any manner. It is to be appreciated that a
myriad of additional or
alternate examples of varying scope could have been presented, but have been
omitted for
purposes of brevity.
[0020] While this disclosure includes embodiments of many different forms,
there is
shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail particular
embodiments with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the
principles of the disclosed methods and systems, and is not intended to limit
the broad aspect of
the disclosed concepts to the embodiments illustrated.
[0021] FIG. 1A depicts a rear view of a non-limiting embodiment of a
protective helmet
2 comprising an adjustable fit system 10, a fit mechanism, or a helmet
stability device, referred to
hereinafter for convenience as a "fit system." FIG. 1B provides a bottom view
of a rear portion of
helmet 2 comprising a non-limiting embodiment of a fit system 10, including an
upside down
view of an interior surface of a rear portion of the helmet 2. The non-
limiting embodiment of a
helmet 2 shown in FIG. 1A-B include an outer surface of a rear portion of the
helmet 2 and a
portion of the fit system 10, e.g., a portion to helmet that would be disposed
opposite a wearer's
face. A protective helmet 2 may comprise a protective shell 4 that includes
one or more layers
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formed of one or more materials, including one or more layers of energy
absorbing foam or
protective shells such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene
(EPP), expanded
polyolefin (EPO), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, vinyl
nitrile (VN), or
other suitable or similar material. Thus, the protective shell 4, whether a
layer of energy
absorbing foam or an outer rigid or flexible shell, can be fixed and rigid or
deformable with
respect to one or more of a dimension, position, size, shape, contour, or
circumference of the
protective shell and one or more of a dimension, position, size, shape,
contour, or circumference
of the wearer's head.
[0022] FIG. 1A-1B further show a non-limiting example of an adjustable fit
system 10
disposed within a fixed or non-deformable protective shell 4. FIGs. 2A-2D
depict various views
of a non-limiting embodiment of a fit system 10 from within the protective
shell 4. According to
some aspects, a fit system 10 comprises at least a frame 15 and a cord 20. The
frame 15 may
comprise any type or combination of plastics or other materials. The frame 15
is referred to
herein as a plastic frame 15 for convenience, and not by way of limitation.
Accordingly, a plastic
frame 15 can also be made of other suitable materials, whether natural or
synthetic, including
metal, fiber, textile, carbon fiber, Kevlar, or any flexible or rigid material
that can be adjusted as
part of the fit system to match or accommodate a size, shape, or contour of a
wearer's head. As
discussed in greater detail below with respect to the accompanying figures, a
plastic frame 15
may be disposed within an outer helmet shell, or energy-absorbing layer.
Alternatively, the
plastic frame 15 may be part of an outer protective shell, as disclosed in
provisional application
number 61/974,713 (the '713 patent), filed April, 3, 2014, titled "Adaptive
Fit Helmet", and
utility patent application number 14/613,670 (the '670 patent), filed February
4, 215, the contents
of which are incorporated herein by this reference. Thus, the cord lock fit
system described
herein could replace the fit system mechanism of the '713 patent and the '670
patent or be used
in any other helmet with an adjustable fit system.
[0023] As indicated above, a fit system 10 comprises a cord 20 coupled to the
plastic
frame. The cord 20 may be elastic, non-elastic, and be configured with any
desired amount of
stretch or elasticity to accommodate a desired stretch, elasticity, or
rigidity, within in the fit
system. For example, the stretch or elasticity of a cord 20 can be inversely
proportional a
stiffness of the plastic frame 15. The cord 20 may be coupled to the plastic
frame 15 at a single
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point, or at a plurality of points, and may be coupled to the plastic frame 15
rigidly, slidably,
fixedly, removably, or any combination thereof. In an embodiment, a cord 15
comprises a first
end 21 and a second end 22 opposite the first end 21. The first end 21 of the
cord 20 may be
coupled to a first of two cord attachment points 11 on a side rear portion of
the plastic frame 15
as in FIG. 1. Similarly, the second end 22 of the cord 20 may be coupled to a
second of the two
cord attachment points 11 on a side rear portion of the plastic frame 15 that
is offset from the
first cord attachment point 11 of the plastic frame 15 coupled to the first
end 21 of the cord 20.
[0024] One or more embodiments of an adjustable fit system 10 further comprise
a
tensioning device 25 releasably coupled to the cord 20 between the first end
21 and the second
end 22 of the cord 20. FIGs. 1-2 show a non-limiting embodiment of a
tensioning device 25.
While a single cord 20 is shown coupled to multiple cord attachment points 11
on the plastic
frame 15 and extending through the tensioning device 25, in other embodiments
multiple cords
such as two or more cords or any number of cords may be utilized. For example,
in an alternate
embodiment, separate cords may be coupled to the cord attachment points of the
plastic frame
15, and each cord could then separately pass through a separate or the same
tensioning device 25.
In either event, a first portion 23 of the cord 20 or cords (referred to
hereinafter for convenience
as "cord") comprises the portion of the cord 20 that extends between the
plastic frame 15 and the
tensioning device 25. A second portion 24 of the cord 20 comprises the portion
of the cord 20
that extends from the tensioning device 25 away from the tensioning device 25
opposite the first
portion 23 of the cord 20. As such, the first portion 23 of the cord 20 may be
coupled to a side or
rear portion of the plastic frame 15 and extend to the tensioning device 25.
In other
embodiments, one or more cords 20 may be woven through, or pass through the
plastic frame 15
at an attachment point, along an entire circumference, or along or at other
desirable locations of
the plastic frame 15.
[0025] In non-limiting embodiments comprising a single cord 20 for tightening
and
loosening the plastic frame 15 to adjust the fit system 10, both ends 21, 22
of the cord 20 may be
coupled to the plastic frame 15 such that two first portions 23 of the cord
are formed and
disposed between a different cord attachment point 11 of the two cord
attachment points 11 and
the tensioning device 25. In such an embodiment, a second portion 24 of the
cord 20 may be
disposed opposite the first portions 23 of the cord 20, and separated from the
first portions 23 of
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the cord 20 by the tensioning device 25. According to some aspects, pulling or
tightening the
cord 20 causes tension in the second portion 24 of the cord 20 to be less than
tension in the first
portion 23 of the cord 21. Tightening and loosening the fit system may cause a
dimension of the
helmet to change, such as a size, shape, or circumference of the plastic frame
15, and/or a
distance between the two cord attachment points 11 of the plastic frame 15.
For example, a
decrease in a circumference of the fit system 10 (to tighten the plastic frame
15 to a wearer's
head) may occur as tension in the first portion 23 of the cord 20 increases.
In some
embodiments, the tensioning device 25 maintains the tension in the first
portion 23 of the cord
20. More particularly, engaging the tensioning device 25 may comprise pushing
a tab 26 to
compress a spring 27 within the tensioning device while pulling the cord 20 to
adjust the size of
the fit system 10, and releasing the tab 26 so the spring 27 exerts force on
the cord 20 to maintain
and hold the desired tension in the cord 20 and subsequently the desired size
of the fit system 10.
Accordingly, a force applied by the tensioning device 25 to the cord 20 can be
greater than and
proportional to the stretch, elasticity, or energy stored in the tensioned
cord. Similarly, a force
applied by the tensioning device 25 to the cord 20 can be inversely
proportional a stiffness of the
plastic frame 10.
[0026] FIGs. 2A-D depict various views of a non-limiting embodiment of a fit
system 10
without, or separated from, the protective shell 4 of the helmet 10. In some
embodiments, a
second portion 24 of a cord 20 comprises a looped second portion 24.
Furthermore, one or more
embodiments of a fit adjustment system 10 comprise a loop clip 19 positioned
on the frame 15 to
receive and detachably couple the looped second portion 24 of the cord 20 to
the frame 15. In
FIGs. 2A and 2C, a looped second portion 24 is shown detached and loose from
the loop clip 19,
while in FIG. 2B, a looped second portion 24 is shown detachably coupled to
the loop clip 19.
Other embodiments may comprise additional loop clips 19 to accommodate the
varying sizes of
loops resulting from adjusting the size of the fit system 10, or,
alternatively, positioned to receive
multiple second portions 24 of the cord 20 (even when not a loop). When a fit
system 10 is
disposed within the protective shell and oriented right side up, as when being
worn by a user in
an upright position, the loop clip 19 may be disposed on the plastic frame 15
above where the
first portion 23 of the cord 20 is coupled to the plastic frame 15.
Furthermore, the tensioning
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device 25 may be rigidly coupled, or integrally formed, with the plastic frame
15 as part of the fit
system 10.
[0027] Various embodiments of a plastic frame 10 may comprise a single or a
plurality of
helmet attachment points configured to couple a fit system 10 to a helmet. For
example, a non-
limiting embodiment of a frame 15 comprises two rounded or hook shaped helmet
attachment
end points 31 and a central helmet attachment point 32 that includes two oval
shaped openings in
the deformable liner. Other attachment points of a frame 15 may comprise cord
attachment
points 11 coupled to ends 21, 22 or portions of the cord 20, and a single or
plurality of
attachment points where a vertical line or length of the plastic frame 15
extends down to the
tensioning device 25, which can be positioned between the two ends 21, 22 of
the cord 20 as it is
coupled to the cord attachment points 11.
[0028] Various embodiments of a fit adjustment system 10 comprise a single
cord 20
comprising first 21 and second opposing ends 22 coupled to respective cord
attachment point 2
and further comprising a looped second portion 24 towards, at, or near, a
center of the cord 20.
In other embodiments, a cord 20 may comprise two or more separate cords, such
as a first cord
coupled to a left-side cord attachment point 11 and a second cord coupled to a
right-side cord
attachment point 11. Ends of the first and second cord may be coupled to the
cord attachment
points 11 while opposing ends of the first and second cords can pass through
the tensioning
device 25. After passing through the tensioning device 25, the opposing ends
of the first and
second cords may be coupled to one or more clips 19 or may be left free.
[0029] FIG. 2D provides a close-up or enlarged view of the cord 20 passing
through the
tensioning device 25 of a non-limiting embodiment of a fit system 10. The
tensioning device 25
may comprise a spring-loaded cord lock having an opening through which the
cord 20 passes. A
spring 27 housed within or without the tension device may apply pressure to
the cord 20 in the
opening to maintain a desired level of tension in the cord 20 and a desired
size or circumference
of the plastic frame 15. To adjust a size of the plastic frame 15, a tab 26
the cord lock tensioning
device 25 may be compressed to release the cord 20 from being held in place,
and the cord 20
may be pulled through the opening in the cord lock tensioning device 25 to
increase or decrease
tension in the cord 20. Compression on the cord lock tensioning device 25 may
then be released
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by releasing the tab 26 to close the opening on the cord 20 and hold the cord
20 at the new
position and tension.
[0030] According to various aspects of a contemplated fit system 10, a
tensioning device
25 is permanently coupled or integrally formed with an additional attachment
point of the plastic
frame 15 to control a shape or sizing of the plastic frame 15 as tension in
the cord is adjusted.
This additional attachment point may comprise any coupling of the tensioning
device 25 to the
plastic frame 15, such as direct coupling between the tensioning device 25 and
the head of the
wearer. This attachment point may comprise a single member or a plurality of
members,
including two or three members coupled to the tensioning device.
[0031] Also contemplated as part of this disclosure are various methods of
securing a
protective helmet 2 to a head of a user using the protective helmet and a fit
system 10 described
herein. A method may comprise placing the helmet 2 over or on the head of the
user and
tensioning a cord 20 coupled to the plastic frame 15 to adjust a fit of the
helmet 2 by decreasing
or increasing a distance between the head of the user and the plastic frame
15, and/or a distance
between attachment points 11 of the plastic frame 15. The plastic frame 15 may
be disposed
between an energy absorbing layer 4 and the head of the user, or
alternatively, the energy
absorbing layer 4 can be disposed between the head of the user and plastic
frame 15.
[0032] A method may further comprise tensioning the cord 20 by pulling on the
cord 20
and engaging a tensioning device 25 to maintain tension in the cord 20.
Engaging a tensioning
device 25 may comprise pushing a tab 26 to compress a spring 27 while pulling
the cord 20, and
releasing the tab 26 so the spring 27 exerts force on the cord 20 to maintain
the tension in the
cord 20. A method may further comprise removably coupling the looped second
portion 24 to a
loop clip 19 on the frame 15.
[0033] Examples:
[0034] One non-limiting example comprises the following:
[0035] A protective helmet 2 comprising a protective shell 4, a plastic frame
15 disposed
at least partially within the protective shell 4, a cord 20 coupled to the
plastic frame 15, and a
tensioning device 25 releasably coupled to the cord 20. The protective helmet
2 further
comprises a first portion 23 of the cord 20 disposed between the plastic frame
15 and the
tensioning device 25, and a circumference of the plastic frame 15 that
decreases as tension in the
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first portion 23 of the cord 20 increases. A second portion 24 of the cord is
disposed opposite the
first portion 23 of the cord 20 and separated from the first portion 23 of the
cord 20 by the
tensioning device 25, wherein tension in the second portion 24 of the cord 20
can be less than
tension in the first portion 23 of the cord 24. The protective shell may
comprise EPS. The first
portion 23 of the cord 20 is coupled to a rear portion of the plastic frame
20. The plastic frame
15 comprises a loop clip 19 sized to releasably couple to the second portion
24 of the cord 20.
The clip 19 is disposed on the plastic frame 15 above where the first portion
23 of the cord 20 is
coupled to the plastic frame 15. The tensioning device 25 is rigidly coupled
to the plastic frame
15, and the tensioning device is integrally formed with the plastic frame 15.
[0036] Another, non-limiting example of a fit system for a protective helmet
comprises
the following:
[0037] A plastic frame comprising 15 comprising a plurality of attachment
points. One
attachment point comprises helmet attachment end points 31 configured to
couple the fit system
to a protective helmet 2. The fit system 10 further comprises a cord 20
comprising a first end
21 coupled to a first cord attachment point 11 of the plastic frame 15 and a
second end 22
coupled to a second cord attachment point 11 of the plastic frame 15. A
tensioning device 25 is
releasably coupled to the cord 20 between the first end 21 and the second end
22 of the cord 20.
The tensioning device 25 is fixedly coupled to the frame 15 at an additional
coupling point, and
the cord 20 comprises an elastically deformable cord 20.
[0038] A non-limiting example of a method of securing a protective helmet to a
head of a
user comprises the following:
[0039] Placing the helmet 2 over or on the head of the user, disposing a
plastic frame 15
between the helmet 2 and the head of the user, and tensioning a cord 20
coupled to the plastic
frame 15 to decrease a distance between the head of the user and the plastic
frame 15.
Tensioning the cord 20 comprises pulling on the cord 20 and engaging a
tensioning device 25 to
maintain tension in the cord 20. The tensioning device 25 is also engaged by
pushing a tab 26 to
compress a spring 27 while pulling the cord 20, and releasing the tab 26 so
the spring 27 exerts
force on the cord 20 to maintain the tension in the cord 20.
[0040] It will be understood that the embodiments disclosed are not limited to
the
specific components disclosed herein, as virtually any components consistent
with the intended
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operation of a method and/or system implementation for such an embodiment may
be utilized.
Accordingly, for example, although particular component examples may be
disclosed, such
components may be comprised of any shape, size, style, type, model, version,
class, grade,
measurement, concentration, material, weight, quantity, and/or the like
consistent with the
intended purpose, method and/or system of implementation.
[0041] In places where the description above refers to particular
implementations or
embodiments, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may
be made without
departing from the scope and / or spirit thereof and that these principles and
modifications may
be applied to other such embodiments. The presently disclosed embodiments are,
therefore, to be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
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