Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1
DEFLECTOR SELECTIVELY CONNECTABLE TO A HELMET, HELMET HAVING
SAME AND HELMET HAVING ADJUSTABLE PEAK
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to United States Provisional
Patent
Application No. 63/273,245, filed October 29, 2021 entitled "Deflector
Selectively
Connectable to a Helmet, Helmet Having Same and Helmet Having Adjustable
Peak".
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[0002] The present technology relates to deflectors selectively connectable to
helmets,
helmets having deflectors and helmets having adjustable peaks.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Helmets are a form protective equipment used to protect the head of a
wearer.
Helmets vary largely depending on their application. Indeed, there is a large
array of
activities that require head protection and so helmets are customized to best
fit the
activities' requirements. For instance, there are full face helmets, off-road
helmets or open
face helmets to name a few types of helmets.
[0004] In colder weather, different types of helmets can be used depending on
the type of
riding being practiced. For touring, full face helmets are preferred as they
fully cover the
face of the wearer and thus help to keep the user's face warm. For more active
riding,
helmets having a helmet shell and a jaw shield defining a space therebetween
in front of
the wearer's eyes are preferred. Wearers of these helmets will typically wear
goggles,
received in the space, to protect their eyes. These helmets have more
ventilation openings
than helmets used for touring in order to increase air flow. Indeed, active
riding such as
snow-cross or backcountry snowmobile can be a high intensity activity, which
may cause
the rider to breathe heavily and require more oxygen and ventilation. These
ventilation
openings address this problem by allowing an increased circulation of fresh
air around the
rider's face while riding, compared to a full face helmet.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
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[0005] Although the ventilation provided by helmets for active riding can be
helpful, this
can cause the wearer's face to become cold when riding less actively, such as
when using
the helmet for touring, as some snowmobile riders may not have helmets adapted
for every
type of riding situations. The added ventilation can also lead to more dust
entering the
helmet.
[0006] Therefore, there is a desire for a device capable of reducing the
amount of
ventilation provided by helmets having ventilation openings.
[0007] In addition, helmets can have peaks to block sunlight and/or to protect
the wearer
from elements such as rain and/or debris from other vehicles. Typically, such
peaks cannot
be adjusted to the wearer's preferences.
[0008] Therefore, there is also a desire for a device capable of overcoming
the above-
described drawback.
SUMMARY
[0009] It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least some
of the
inconveniences present in the prior art.
[0010] According to an aspect of the present technology, there is provided a
deflector
selectively connectable to a helmet. The helmet has a helmet shell for
receiving a head of
a wearer of the helmet and a jaw shield connected to the helmet shell. The
helmet shell and
the jaw shield define at least in part a helmet aperture. The wearer of the
helmet can see
through the helmet aperture when wearing the helmet. The jaw shield defines at
least one
jaw aperture configured to permit air flow therethrough. The deflector
includes a deflector
body, and at least one connecting protrusion protruding from the deflector
body. The at
least one connecting protrusion is configured to be at least partially
received in the at least
one jaw aperture to selectively connect the deflector body to the jaw shield
and to at least
partially block air flow through the at least one jaw aperture.
[0011] In some embodiments, an exterior contour of the at least one connecting
protrusion
has a first perimeter, the at least one jaw aperture has a second perimeter,
and the first
perimeter is greater than the second perimeter.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
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[0012] In some embodiments, when connected to the helmet, the deflector body
is disposed
on an inner side of the jaw shield of the helmet, and the at least one
connecting protrusion
has a lip configured to engage an outer surface of the jaw shield.
[0013] In some embodiments, the at least one connecting protrusion is
resiliently deformed
in response to being at least partially received in the at least one jaw
aperture.
[0014] In some embodiments, the at least one connecting protrusion is
resiliently deformed
in response to being removed from the at least one jaw aperture.
[0015] In some embodiments, the deflector body is sized such that an upper
portion of the
deflector extends vertically higher than the jaw shield when the deflector
body is connected
to the jaw shield.
[0016] In some embodiments, the deflector body is sized such that a lower
portion of the
deflector extends vertically lower than the jaw shield when the deflector body
is connected
to the jaw shield.
[0017] In some embodiments, in response to the at least one connecting
protrusion being
at least partially received in the at least one jaw aperture, the deflector
body is configured
to remain connected to the jaw shield until the connecting protrusion is
resiliently deformed
to remove the connecting protrusion from the at least one jaw aperture.
[0018] In some embodiments, the deflector body is made of a flexible material.
[0019] In some embodiments, the at least one jaw aperture is a first jaw
aperture and a
second jaw aperture, the at least one connecting protrusion is a first
connecting protrusion
and a second connecting protrusion, the first connecting protrusion is
configured to be at
least partially received in the first jaw aperture, and the second connecting
protrusion is
configured to be at least partially received in the second jaw aperture.
[0020] In some embodiments, the at least one connecting protrusion defines an
opening for
permitting air flow through the deflector.
[0021] According to another aspect of the present technology, there is
provided a helmet
including a helmet shell for receiving a head of a wearer of the helmet, and a
jaw shield
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
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connected to the helmet shell. The helmet shell and the jaw shield define at
least in part a
helmet aperture, the wearer of the helmet seeing through the helmet aperture
when wearing
the helmet. The jaw shield defines at least one jaw aperture configured to
permit air flow
therethrough. The helmet also includes a deflector selectively connected to an
inner side of
the jaw shield. The deflector includes a deflector body, and at least one
connecting
protrusion protruding from the deflector body. The at least one connecting
protrusion is
configured to be at least partially received in the at least one jaw aperture
to selectively
connect the deflector body to the jaw shield and to restrict air flow through
the at least one
jaw aperture.
[0022] In another aspect of the present technology, there is provided a helmet
having a
helmet shell, left and right holders and a peak. The helmet shell receives a
head of a wearer
of the helmet. The left and right holders are connected to the helmet, and
each of the left
and right holders have a first connector and a second connector. The peak has
a left
connecting portion connected to the left holder and a right connecting portion
connected to
the right holder. Each of the left and right connecting portions has a third
connector and a
fourth connector. The first connector of the left holder is rotationally
connected to the third
connector of the left connecting portion, the first connector of the right
holder is
rotationally connected to the third connector of the right connecting portion,
the second
connector of the left holder is selectively connected to the fourth connector
of the left
connecting portion in one of at least two positions, and the second connector
of the right
holder is selectively connected to the fourth connector of the right
connecting portion in
one of at least two positions. In a first configuration, the second connectors
are connected
to the fourth connectors at the first position, and in a second configuration,
the second
connectors are connected to the fourth connectors at the second position. The
peak is
selectively adjustable between the first and second configurations.
[0023] In some embodiments, the helmet defines a left recess configured to
receive the left
holder, and a right recess configured to receive the right holder.
[0024] In some embodiments, the left and right holders are removably connected
to the
helmet.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
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[0025] In some embodiments, the peak is removably connected to the left and
right holders.
[0026] In some embodiments, the first connectors are first apertures and the
third
connectors are third protrusions configured to be received in the first
apertures.
[0027] In some embodiments, the second connectors are second apertures. Each
of the
second apertures has a first portion defining the first position, a second
portion defining
the second position, and a linking portion extending between the first portion
and the
second portion. The fourth connectors are fourth protrusions configured to be
received in
the second apertures, each of the fourth connectors being moveable via the
linking portion
between the first portion and the second portion.
[0028] In some embodiments, the third connectors of each of the left and right
connecting
portions of the peak are longitudinally spaced from the fourth connectors of
each of the left
and right connecting portions.
[0029] In some embodiments, the fourth connectors of each of the left and
right connecting
portions are rearward of the third connectors of each of the left and right
connecting
portions.
[0030] Embodiments of the present technology each have at least one of the
above-
mentioned object and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It
should be
understood that some aspects of the present technology that have resulted from
attempting
to attain the above-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and/or may
satisfy other
objects not specifically recited herein.
[0031] Additional and/or alternative features, aspects and advantages of
embodiments of
the present technology will become apparent from the following description,
the
accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as other
aspects and
further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which
is to be used
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
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[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view taken from a front, bottom, left side of
a helmet and
of a deflector shown removed from the helmet;
[0034] Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view taken from a front,
top, left side
of a helmet shell and a holder of the helmet of Figure 1, with a peak being
omitted and the
deflector being connected to the helmet;
[0035] Figure 3A is an exploded perspective view taken from a rear, top, right
side of the
peak of the helmet of Figure 1 and the holder of Figure 2;
[0036] Figure 3B is a perspective view taken from a rear, bottom, right side
of the peak of
Figure 3A;
[0037] Figure 4 is a left side elevation view of the helmet of Figure 1 with
the peak being
in a downward configuration;
[0038] Figure 5 is a perspective view taken from a rear right side of the peak
and the holder
of Figure 3A connected to one another in the downward configuration;
[0039] Figure 6 is a left side elevation view of the helmet of Figure 1 with
the peak being
in an upward configuration and the deflector being connected to the helmet;
[0040] Figure 7 is a perspective view taken from a rear right side of the peak
and the holder
of Figure 3A in the upward configuration;
[0041] Figure 8 is a front elevation view of the helmet of Figure 1;
[0042] Figure 9 is a rear elevation view of the helmet of Figure 8;
[0043] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken through line 10-10 of Figure
9;
[0044] Figure 11 is a front elevation view of the helmet of Figure 1 with the
deflector being
connected to the helmet;
[0045] Figure 12 is a rear elevation view of the helmet and deflector of
Figure 11;
[0046] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken through line 13-13 of Figure
12.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
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[0047] Figure 14 is a front elevation view of a deflector according to an
alternate
embodiment of the present technology; and
[0048] Figure 15 is a left side elevation view of the deflector of Figure 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0049] As can be seen in Figure 1, a helmet 10 used to protect a head of a
wearer includes
a helmet shell 12 that defines an inner volume configured to receive the head
of the wearer
of the helmet 10, a jaw shield 14 connected to a lower part of the helmet
shell 12 and a
peak 16 connected to an upper part of the helmet shell 12. A helmet aperture
18, defined
by the helmet shell 12 and the jaw shield 14, extends symmetrically in both
lateral
directions from a longitudinal center plane 11 (Figure 8) of the helmet 10,
which extends
longitudinally along a center of the helmet 10. The helmet aperture 18 allows
the wearer
of the helmet 10 to see therethrough. The peak 16 is connected to the helmet
shell 12 above
the helmet aperture 18 by left and right holders 20 (only the left holder 20
being shown in
accompanying Figures), which will be described in greater detail below. A
deflector 22
according to an embodiment of the present technology, which, as will be
described in
greater detail below, is selectively connectable to the helmet 10, is also
shown.
[0050] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the jaw shield 14 is integrally formed
with the helmet
shell 12, but it is contemplated that in other embodiments the jaw shield 14
could be
connected to the helmet shell 12 in other ways. For example, the jaw shield 14
could be
selectively removable from the helmet shell 12 or could be movable relative to
the helmet
shell 10. The jaw shield 14 is positioned and shaped to extend in front of and
shield a jaw
area of the wearer of the helmet 10, as its name suggests. The jaw shield 14
defines two
jaw apertures 30a, 30b that face generally forward, and two jaw apertures 32a,
32b that
face generally sideways and partially forward. It is contemplated that the jaw
shield 14
could define more or less than four jaw apertures 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b. The jaw
apertures
30a, 30b are symmetrical about the longitudinal center plane 11, and the jaw
apertures 32a,
32b are symmetrical about the longitudinal center plane 11. The jaw apertures
30a, 30b are
defined, respectively, at the front left and front right of the jaw shield 14.
The jaw apertures
32a, 32b are defined, respectively, on left and right sides of the jaw shield
14, rearwardly
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
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of the jaw apertures 30a, 30b. It is contemplated that the jaw apertures 30a,
30b, 32a, 32b
could be sized and/or shaped and/or positioned differently than illustrated.
For instance,
the jaw aperture 30a could be asymmetrical to the jaw aperture 30b. The jaw
apertures 30a,
30b, 32a, 32b act as vents, and are configured to permit air flow therethrough
to the inside
the helmet 10, for instance, to cool the head of the wearer of the helmet 10.
The jaw shield
14 also includes a nose guard 34 that extends partially within the helmet
aperture 18. Shown
in Figure 9, a microphone 25 is connected to an inner side of the jaw shield
14. The jaw
shield 14 defines a channel 15 configured to receive a wire 27 connected to
the microphone
25 and to a controller (not shown). The microphone 25, the channel 15 and the
wire 27
could be omitted.
[0051] Still referring to Figures 1 and 2, on the left and right sides of the
helmet 10, at a
rear of the jaw shield 14, the helmet 10 has left and right fasteners 36 (only
left fastener
shown in accompanying Figures). The left and right fasteners 36 are metal
snaps. It is
contemplated that in other embodiments, the left and right fasteners 36 could
be other types
of fasteners such as clips. The left and right fasteners 36 are configured to
connect to a chin
strap (not shown) to secure the helmet 10 to the head of the wearer. It is
contemplated that
in other embodiments, the helmet 10 could be configured to be secured to the
head of the
wearer differently. It is also contemplated that in some embodiments, the left
and right
fasteners 36 could be disposed elsewhere on the helmet 10, for instance, at a
bottom or an
inner side thereof.
[0052] Referring to Figure 2, the helmet shell 10 defines a left upper recess
50a and a right
upper recess 50b, which are symmetrical to one another about the longitudinal
center plane
11. As will be described in greater detail below, the left and right upper
recesses 50a, 50b
are configured to receive portions of the peak 16 therein. It is contemplated
that in some
embodiments, the left and right upper recesses 50a, 50b could be omitted.
Towards the
front of the left upper recess 50a, the helmet shell 12 defines a left upper
aperture 52a, and
towards the front of the right upper recess 50b, the helmet shell 12 defines a
right upper
aperture 52b. The left and right upper apertures 52a, 52b, which are also
symmetrical about
the longitudinal center plane 11, act as vents and permit air to flow
therethrough to the
inside the helmet 10. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the left
and right upper
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
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apertures 52a, 52b could be omitted. Within the left upper recess 50a, the
helmet shell 12
defines a left recess 54 configured to receive the left holder 20. Within the
right upper
recess 50a, the helmet shell 12 defines a right recess (not shown) configured
to receive the
right holder (not shown).
[0053] The left recess 54 will now be described in detail. The corresponding
right recess
is a mirror image of the left recess 54 and as such will not be described in
detail herein.
The left recess 54 is defined by a partly arcuate lower wall 60 and a flat
wall 62 that is
generally perpendicular to the wall 60. The flat wall 62 defines a front
aperture 64 and a
rear aperture 66. The front aperture 64, which generally resembles a backwards
D, merges
with a forward portion of the wall 60 to define a front clip receiving portion
68. The rear
aperture 66, which is longitudinally spaced from the front aperture 64, merges
with a
rearward portion of the wall 60 to define a rear clip receiving portion 69. It
is contemplated
that in some embodiments, the front and rear clip receiving portions 68, 69
could be
omitted. In other embodiments, the front and rearward apertures 64, 66 could
be recesses.
In yet other embodiments, the front and rearward apertures 64, 66 could be
omitted.
[0054] Referring to Figures 2, 3A, 3B, 5 and 7, the helmet 10 also includes
the left and
right holders 20 that connect the peak 16 to the helmet shell 12. As mentioned
above, the
left and right holders 20 are configured to be received, respectively, in the
left and right
recesses 54. As the right holder is a minor image of the left holder 20, only
the left holder
20 will be described in detail herewith.
[0055] The left holder 20 has a body 70. At a front thereof, the left holder
20 has a front
clip 72 configured to be received in the front clip receiving portion 68. In
other
embodiments, the left holder 20 could, instead, define a front clip receiving
portion
configured to receive a front clip disposed in the left recess 54.
[0056] Rearwardly from the front clip 72, the body 70 has a front connector
74. The front
connector 74 is a front aperture 74. It is contemplated that in some
embodiments, the front
connector 74 could be a recess or a protrusion. The front aperture 74 has an
upper portion
76a defining an upper position, a linking portion 76b and a lower portion 76c
defining a
lower position. The linking portion 76 extends between the upper and lower
portions 76a,
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
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76c. The front aperture 74 generally defines an hourglass shape such that the
front aperture
74 is narrower at the linking portion 76b than at the upper and lower portions
76a, 76c.
[0057] Rearwardly from the front aperture 74, the body 70 has four ribs 78
that define three
recesses 80 therebetween. The ribs 78 strengthen the body 70. It is
contemplated that in
some embodiments, the ribs 78 and the recesses 80 could be omitted. In other
embodiments, there could be a different number of ribs 78 and recesses 80.
[0058] Rearwardly of the ribs 78 and recesses 80, the body 70 has a rear
connector 84. The
rear connector 84 is a rear aperture 84. It is contemplated that in some
embodiments, the
rear connector 84 could be a recess or a protrusion.
[0059] Rearwardly of the rear aperture 84, the body 70 has a rear clip 82
configured to be
received in the rear clip receiving portion 69. Similarly to the front clip
72, it is
contemplated that in some embodiments, the left holder 20 could, instead of
the rear clip
82, define a rear clip receiving portion configured to receive a rear clip
disposed in the left
recess 54.
[0060] As mentioned above, the left holder 20 is configured to be received in
the left recess
54, and the right holder is configured to be received in the right recess. The
left and right
holders 20 are configured to be retained in their respective recesses 54 by a
clipping
engagement. More precisely, the front and rear clips 72, 82, which are
respectively received
in the front and rear clip receiving portions 68, 69, clip to an inner surface
of the helmet
shell 12. The clipping engagement is such that the left and right holders 20
are removably
connected to the helmet 10. It is contemplated, however, that in some
embodiments, the
left and right recesses 54 could be omitted, and the left and right holders 20
could be
configured to connect to an outer surface of the helmet shell 12. It is also
contemplated that
in some embodiments, the left and right holders 20 could be integral with the
helmet shell
12. It is also connected that the left and right holders 20 could be connected
to the helmet
shell by fasteners such as threaded fasteners.
[0061] Referring now to Figures 3A, 3B and 5, the peak 16 has left section
92a, a right
section 92b and an intermediate section 94. The left and right sections 92a,
92b extend
generally longitudinally, and the intermediate section 94 extends laterally
between front
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
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ends of the left and right sections 92a, 92b. Thus, the peak 16 defines a
recess 96 configured
to accommodate to the configuration of the helmet shell 12 (i.e., the presence
of left and
right upper recesses 50a, 50b).
[0062] At a rear end of the peak 16, the left section 92a has a left
connecting portion 102
configured to connect to the left holder 20, and the right section 92b has a
right connecting
portion (not shown) configured to connect to the right holder (not shown).
[0063] As the left connecting portion 102 is a minor image of the right
connecting portion,
only the left connecting portion 102 will be described in detail herewith.
[0064] Starting from a rear end, the left connecting portion 102 has a rear
connector 110.
The rear connector 110 includes an upper protrusion 112a and a lower
protrusion 112b that
are configured to be received in the rear aperture 84 of the left holder 20.
More precisely,
the connection of the upper and lower protrusions 112a, 112b with the rear
aperture 84 is
configured to provide a rotational connection between the left and right
holders 120 and
the peak 16. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the upper and lower
protrusion
112a, 112b could be merged such that the rear connector 110 could be a single
protrusion.
It is also contemplated that in other embodiments, the rear connector 110
could be another
connector such as a recess or an aperture complementary to the rear connector
84. The left
connecting portion 102 also has two ribs 114a, 114b extending upwardly from
the upper
protrusion 112a, two ribs 114c, 114d extending downwardly from the lower
protrusion
112b as well as a rib 114e extending between the upper and lower protrusion
112a, 112b.
The ribs 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d, 114e can strengthen the rear connector 110,
and could be
omitted in some embodiments. In other embodiments, there could be more or
fewer ribs.
[0065] Forwardly from the rear connector 110, the left connecting portion 102
has a front
connector 120. The front connector 120 is a front protrusion 120. The front
protrusion 120
is configured to be received the front aperture 74 of the left holder 20. It
is contemplated
that in some embodiments, the front protrusion 120 could be another connector
120 such
as recess or an aperture complementary to the front connector 74. The left
connecting
portion 102a has ribs 122a, 122b, 122c extending away from the front
protrusion 120, and
can strengthen the front protrusion 120. The front protrusion 120 is
configured to be
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
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selectively moveable between the upper and lower portions 76a, 76c of the
front connector
74 (i.e., selectively moveable between the upper and lower positions). The
front protrusion
120 is also configured to have an interference fit with the linking portion
76b.
[0066] Thus, the peak 16 is removably connected to the left and right holders
20. As such,
if need be, one of the left and right holders 20 could be replaced with
another holder, for
example if one of the holders 20 is lost or broken. The peak 16, which
connects to the
helmet shell 12 by the left and right holder 20, is selectively adjustable
between a
downward configuration (Figures 4 and 5) and an upward configuration (Figures
6 and 7).
In other words, the peak 16 is vertically adjustable.
[0067] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, when the peak 16 is in the downward
configuration,
the upper and lower protrusions 112a, 112b (i.e., the rear connector 110) are
rotationally
received in the rear aperture 82. The rotational connection between the upper
and lower
protrusions 112a, 112b and the inner surface of the rear aperture 82 can be
enabled by low
friction therebetween. Also, when the peak 16 is in the downward
configuration, the front
protrusion 120 is received in the lower portion 76c, such that the front
protrusion 120 is at
the lower position.
[0068] The configuration of the peak 16 can be adjusted from the downward
configuration
to the upward configuration by applying an upward force to the peak 16. The
force required
to adjust the peak 16 is such that wind blowing thereon cannot typically cause
the peak 16
to move from one configuration to the other. The peak 16 resists, to some
extent, the
applied force because of the interference fit between the front protrusion 120
and the
linking portion 76b. By having a user apply a sufficient force, the upper and
lower
protrusions 112a, 112b rotate relative to the inner surface of the rear
aperture 82, thereby
acting like a pivot, and the front protrusion 120 moves to the upper portion
76a, resulting
in the peak 16 being adjusted to the upward configuration. The connection
between the
front protrusion 120 and the linking portion 76b is such that the front
protrusion 120 cannot
be wedged in the linking portion 76b (i.e., front protrusion 120 slips to
either one of the
upper or lower portions 76a, 76c).
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
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[0069] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, when the peak 16 is in the upward
configuration, the
upper and lower protrusions 112a, 112b (i.e., the rear connector 110) are
still rotationally
received in the rear aperture 82, but the front protrusion 120 is received in
the upper portion
76a, such that the front protrusion 120 is at the upper position.
[0070] It is understood that in some embodiments of the present technology,
the peak 16
could have more than the upward and downward configurations, and thus, could
have more
than the upper and lower positions. It is also contemplated that in some
embodiments, the
position of the connectors 74, 84, 110, 120 could be reversed, such that the
connectors 110
of the peak 16 would be disposed forward of the connectors 120 of the peak 20
and the
connectors 84 of the holders 20 would be disposed forward of the connectors 74
of the
holders 20. It is further contemplated that the peak 16 could be used with
different helmets
10. For instance, in some helmets having the peak 16 according to the present
technology,
the jaw shield 14 could be omitted.
[0071] Referring to Figures 1 and 8 to 13, the deflector 22 will now be
described. As can
be seen, when the deflector 22 is connected to the helmet 10, the deflector 22
is disposed
on an inner side of the jaw shield 14. As such, a shape of the deflector 22 is
generally
complementary to the inner side of the jaw shield 14.
[0072] The deflector 22 has a deflector body 152 that is made of a flexible
and resiliently
deformable material such as thermoplastic rubber. Thus, the deflector body 152
is
configured to remain flexible and resiliently deformable in cold temperatures.
In some
embodiments, the cold temperatures are below 0 C. In other embodiments, the
cold
temperatures could be approximately -10 C or less.
[0073] The deflector body 152 has an upper portion 154, an intermediate
portion 156 and
a lower portion 158. The deflector body 152 is sized such that when the
deflector 22 is
connected to the helmet 10, the upper portion 154 extends vertically higher
than the nose
guard 34 of the jaw shield 14 whereas the lower portion 158 extends vertically
lower than
the jaw shield 14. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, one or both of
the upper
and lower portions 154, 156 could be omitted.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
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[0074] Focusing on the intermediate portion 156, the deflector 22 defines a
front aperture
161 at a front, middle section of the deflector body 152. The front aperture
161 is
configured to generally align with the microphone 25. Thus, the presence of
the front
aperture 161 ensures that the deflector 22 does not act as a noise barrier. In
some
embodiments, the front aperture 161 could be omitted.
[0075] The deflector 22 has a connecting protrusion 160a protruding from a
left side of the
deflector body 152 and a connecting protrusion 160b protruding from a right
side of the
deflector body 152. The connecting protrusions 160a, 160b, which are
configured to be
received at least partially, respectively, in the jaw apertures 30a, 30b, are
symmetrical about
a longitudinal center plane 151 (Figure 13) of the deflector 22. Best seen in
Figure 13, the
connecting protrusion 160a has a lip 161a extending outwardly from a top
thereof and the
connecting protrusion 160b has a lip 161b extending outwardly from a top
thereof. As will
be described in greater detail below, the lips 161a, 161b are configured to
engage an outer
surface of the jaw shield 14 to retain the deflector 22 to the helmet 10.
[0076] The deflector 22 further has a connecting protrusion 162a protruding
from the left
side of the deflector body 152, rearwardly of the connecting protrusion 160a.
The deflector
22 also has a connecting protrusion 162b protruding from the right side of the
deflector
body 152, rearwardly of the connecting protrusion 160b. The connecting
protrusions 162a,
162b, which are configured to be received, respectively, in the jaw apertures
32a, 32b, are
symmetrical about the longitudinal center plane 151. Best seen in Figure 13,
the connecting
protrusion 162a has a lip 163a extending outwardly from a top thereof and the
connecting
protrusion 162b has a lip 163b extending outwardly from a top thereof. As will
be described
in greater detail below, the lips 163a, 163b are configured to engage the
outer surface of
the jaw shield 14 to retain the deflector 22 to the helmet 10.
[0077] It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the deflector 22 could
have more or
less connecting protrusions.
[0078] The lips 161a, 161b, 163a, 163b each have a connecting protrusion
perimeter that
is greater than a perimeter of their corresponding jaw apertures 30a, 30b,
32a, 32b. In some
embodiments, where the lips 161a, 161b, 163a, 163b are omitted, the connecting
protrusion
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
15
perimeters could be measured elsewhere along the connecting protrusions 160a,
160b,
162a, 162b.
[0079] As best seen in Figures 12 and 13, the connecting protrusions 160a,
160b, 162a,
162b, which are flexible and resiliently deformable, are hollow (i.e., concave
as viewed
from a rear side of the deflector 22). This can help reduce the material
required to
manufacture the deflector 22. In addition, this makes the connecting
protrusions 160a,
160b, 162a, 162b more flexible and easier to deform. Furthermore, the hollow
aspect can
make it easier for one to handle the deflector 22.
[0080] To connect to deflector 22 to the helmet 10, the deflector 22 is
resiliently deformed.
More precisely, the deflector 22 is disposed on an inner side of the jaw
shield 14 such that
the connecting protrusion 160a is aligned to the jaw aperture 30a, the
connecting protrusion
160b is aligned with the jaw aperture 30b, the connecting protrusion 162a is
aligned with
the jaw aperture 32a and the connecting protrusion 160b is aligned with the
jaw aperture
32b. However, as the connecting protrusions 160a, 160b, 162a, 162b are
generally sized
larger than the jaw apertures 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, the connecting protrusions
160a, 160b,
162a, 162b must be resiliently deformed to be received in the jaw apertures
30a, 30b, 32a,
32b. This is achieved by manually pushing the connecting protrusions 160a,
160b, 162a,
162b through the jaw apertures 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b.
[0081] Once the connecting protrusions 160a, 160b, 162a, 162b are received in
the jaw
apertures 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, the lips 161a, 161b, 163a, 163b engage the outer
surface of
the jaw shield 14 thereby retaining the deflector 22 to the jaw shield 14. In
addition, the
wire 27 that is connected to the microphone 25 and received in the channel 15,
is disposed
between the deflector 22 and the helmet shell 12.
[0082] When the deflector 22 is connected to the helmet 10, the jaw apertures
30a, 30b,
32a, 32b are obstructed, such that the air flow is blocked. In some
embodiments, it is
contemplated that the deflector 22 could be configured to at least partially
block the air
flow. For instance, the connecting protrusions 160a, 160b, 162a, 162b could
each define
an aperture, which would result in restricting the air flow. In addition, when
the deflector
22 is connected to the helmet 10, the deflector 22 can deflect elements such
as water drops
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
16
and dust. The deflector 22 is configured to remain connected to the helmet 10
so long as
the connecting protrusions 160a, 160b, 162a, 162b are received in the jaw
apertures 30a,
30b, 32a, 32b. Thus, the deflector 22 is configured to not be disconnected by
air blowing
onto the helmet 10.
[0083] To disconnect the deflector 22 from the helmet 10, the connecting
protrusions 160a,
160b, 162a, 162b are resiliently deformed and removed from the jaw apertures
30a, 30b,
32a, 32b. This can be done by simply manually pulling the deflector 22 away
from the jaw
shield 14. Once the deflector 22 has been disconnected, the deflector 140 can
be folded and
placed into a pocket or a storage due to its flexible nature.
[0084] With refence to Figures 14 and 15, a deflector 22', which is an
alternative
embodiment of the deflector 22 described above, will now be described.
Features of the
deflector 22' that are similar to those of the deflector 22 will not be
described again in
detail.
[0085] The deflector 22' has a deflector body 252, which has a left body
portion 254a, a
right body portion 254b and a connecting portion 256.
[0086] The connecting portion 256 extends between, and connects, the left and
right body
portions 254a, 254b. It is to be noted that the connecting portion 256 is
connected to lower
ends of the left and right body portion 254a, 254b, such that when the
deflector 22' is
connected to the helmet 10, the connection portion 256 is offset from the
microphone 25,
and thus, does not act as a noise barrier. It is contemplated that in some
embodiments, the
connecting portion 256 could be omitted, such that the deflector 22' could be
made of two
or more distinct bodies.
[0087] The deflector 22' has a connecting protrusion 260a protruding from the
left body
portion 254a, and a connecting protrusion 260b protruding from the right body
portion
254b. The connecting protrusions 260a, 260b, which are configured to be
received at least
partially, respectively, in the jaw apertures 30a, 30b, are symmetrical about
a longitudinal
center plane 251 of the deflector 22'. Similarly to the connecting protrusions
160a, 160b
of the deflector 22, the connecting protrusion 260a has a lip 261a extending
outwardly from
an outer surface thereof and the connecting protrusion 260b also has a lip 26
lb extending
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
17
outwardly from an outer surface thereof. As mentioned above with respect to
lips 161a,
161b, the lips 261a, 261b are configured to engage an outer surface of the jaw
shield 14 to
retain the deflector 22' to the helmet 10. Additionally, the connecting
protrusion 260a
defines three openings 265a, and the connecting protrusion 260b defines three
openings
265b. More specifically, the connecting protrusion 260a has tabs 267a
delimiting the
openings 265a, and the connecting protrusion 260b has tabs 267b delimiting the
openings
265b. The tabs 267a, 267b are oriented at an angle relative to a surface of
the deflector
body 252 (i.e., tilted). It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the
tabs 267a, 267b
could be straight relative to the surface of the deflector body 252. It is
contemplated that in
other embodiments, the connecting protrusions 260a, 260b could each define
more or fewer
than three openings 265a, 265b. Furthermore, the size and shape of the
openings 265a,
265b could vary from one embodiment to another. As will be described below,
the
openings 265a, 265b are configured to permit air to flow therethrough, whereas
the tabs
267a, 267b are configured to deflect elements such as, for example, water
droplets, dust
and insects.
[0088] The deflector 22' further has a connecting protrusion 262a protruding
from the left
body portion 254a, rearwardly from the connecting protrusion 260a. The
deflector 22' also
has a connecting protrusion 262b protruding from the right body portion 254b,
rearwardly
from the connecting protrusion 260b. The connecting protrusions 262a, 262b,
which are
configured to be received, respectively, in the jaw apertures 32a, 32b, are
symmetrical
about the longitudinal center plane 251. The connecting protrusion 262a has a
lip 263a
extending outwardly from an outer surface thereof and the connecting
protrusion 262b has
a lip 263b extending outwardly from an outer surface thereof. As mentioned
above with
respect to lips 163a, 163b, the lips 263a, 263b are configured to engage the
outer surface
of the jaw shield 14 to retain the deflector 22' to the helmet 10.
Additionally, the connecting
protrusion 262a defines eight openings 266a, and the connecting protrusion
262b defines
eight openings 266b. Specifically, the connecting protrusion 262a has tabs
269a delimiting
the openings 266a, and the connecting protrusion 262b has tabs 269b delimiting
the
openings 262b. The tabs 269a, 269b are oriented at an angle relative to a
surface of the
deflector body 252 (i.e., tilted). It is contemplated that in other
embodiments, the tabs 269a,
269b could be straight relative to the surface of the deflector body 252. It
is contemplated
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
18
that in other embodiments, the connecting protrusions 262a, 262b could define
more or
fewer than eight openings 266a, 266b. Furthermore, the size and shape of the
openings
266a, 266b could vary from one embodiment to another. As will be described
below, the
openings 266a, 266b are configured to permit air to flow therethrough, whereas
the tabs
269a, 269b are configured to deflect elements such as, for example, water
droplets, dusts
and insects. The connecting protrusions 262a, 262b also have a reinforcing
segment 270
(only reinforcing segment 270 of the connecting protrusion 262a is shown in
accompanying Figures) that is connected to the tabs 269a, 269b. The
reinforcing segment
270 assists the tabs 269a, 269b in retaining their shape when subjected to
high winds. In
some embodiments, the reinforcing segment 270 could be omitted.
[0089] It is contemplated, the deflector 22' could have more or less
connecting protrusions.
It is also contemplated that in some embodiments, only some of the connecting
protrusions
260a, 260b, 262a, 262b, could define openings.
[0090] The lips 261a, 261b, 263a, 263b each have a connecting protrusion
perimeter that
is greater than a perimeter of their corresponding jaw apertures 30a, 30b,
32a, 32b.
[0091] The connecting protrusions 260a, 260b, 262a, 262b are flexible and
resiliently
deformable. In some embodiments, the connecting protrusions 260a, 260b, 262a,
262b may
be hollow.
[0092] When the deflector 22' is connected to the helmet 10, the jaw apertures
30a, 30b,
32a, 32b are not fully obstructed (i.e., air flow through the jaw apertures
30a, 30b, 32a, 32b
is only partially blocked), since the openings 265a, 265b, 266a, 266b enable
some air to
flow therethrough. That being said, the deflector 22', thanks to the tabs
267a, 267b, 269a,
269b can still deflect elements such as water droplets, dust and insects.
Furthermore, the
tabs 267a, 267b, 269a, 269b being at an angle can assist in deflecting air
flowing through
the openings 265a, 265b, 266a, 266b, which can increase comfort of the wearer
of the
helmet 10.
[0093] Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of
the
present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The
foregoing
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
19
description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the
present
invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-10-28
