1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to protective helmets and bicycle helmets in particular. More specifically, the present invention relates to a helmet having an improved helmet strap arrangement.
2. Description of the Related Art
Bicycle helmets typically employ a strap system to secure the helmet to a user's head. The strap commonly includes two strap portions that extend from opposing sides of the helmet and are selectively joined together underneath the user's chin, often by a releasable snap fit connector. Each side strap typically includes a forward strap portion and a rearward strap portion which extend alongside forward and rearward sides, respectively, of the user's ear. The forward and rearward portions of the strap typically converge the below the ear and are connected, or extend together, to the end of the respective strap portion.
In prior art arrangements, the rearward strap portions are typically secured to the helmet at a single location at a rearward upper portion of the helmet or are connected to a retention assembly, which extends from a rearward portion of the helmet body to cradle the back of the user's head. With each of these common prior art arrangements, the straps tend to hang toward the center line of the helmet, become tangled with one another and usually require manual untangling or separation prior to putting on the helmet. Thus, it is difficult to put the helmet on quickly or put the helmet on with only one hand and have the straps properly located for use.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide an improved mounting arrangement for the rear helmet strap portions which facilitate the proper positioning of the straps to make the helmet easier to put on. Preferably, the improved arrangement includes the rear helmet strap passing through a lower rearward portion of the helmet body, as opposed to the retention mechanism, such that a portion of the helmet strap lies adjacent to an external surface of the helmet body. Desirably, the rearward portion of the helmet strap is supported by a generally rigid shell of the helmet body or by an internal reinforcement structure.
In accordance with one embodiment, a bicycle helmet is provided comprising a body having a concave inner surface configured to permit the helmet to sit on a head of a user. Said body comprises a base and a shell, said shell covering at least a portion of an outer surface of said base. The bicycle helmet also comprises a retention mechanism extending from a lower, rearward portion of said body and defining a contact surface configured to contact the head of the user. The bicycle helmet further comprises a strap arrangement having a first strap portion and second strap portion selectively connectable to one another to extend from opposing sides of said body and underneath a chin of the user. Said strap arrangement comprises a strap section extending through a pair of spaced openings in a lower, rearward portion of said body such that a portion of said strap section extends across an outer surface of said body between said openings, wherein no portion of said strap arrangement is secured to said retention mechanism.
In accordance with another embodiment, a bicycle helmet is provided, comprising a body having a concave inner surface configured to permit the helmet to sit on a head of a user and a support frame having at least a substantial portion thereof embedded within said body. The bicycle helmet also comprises a strap arrangement having a first strap portion and second strap portion selectively connectable to one another to extend from opposing sides of said body and underneath a chin of the user. Said strap arrangement comprises a strap section extending through a pair of spaced openings in a lower, rearward portion of said body such that a portion of said strap section extends across an outer surface of said body between said openings.
In accordance with still another embodiment, a bicycle helmet is provided comprising a body having a concave inner surface configured to permit the helmet to sit on a head of a user. Said body comprises a base and a reinforcement structure. The bicycle helmet also comprises a retention mechanism extending from a lower, rearward portion of said body and defining a contact surface configured to contact the head of the user. A strap arrangement has a first strap portion and second strap portion selectively connectable to one another to extend from opposing sides of said body and underneath a chin of the user. Said strap arrangement comprises a strap section extending through a pair of spaced openings in a lower, rearward portion of said body, wherein said spaced openings are spaced below a horizon passing through a leading edge of said body.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present protective helmet are described in greater detail below with reference to several preferred embodiments, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit the present invention. The drawings contain 12 figures.
a is an enlarged view of a central portion of the front of the helmet shown in
With reference to
The base 24 of the helmet 20 preferably is constructed from an energy absorbing material, such as an expanded foam material, for example. However, other suitable materials may also be used. The base 24 may be constructed from a variety of suitable manufacturing techniques that are known or apparent to one of skill in the art. The base 24 may be constructed of a single piece of material or may be constructed of multiple components. If the base 24 is constructed from multiple components, the components may be formed separately and then joined together or may be formed as individual layers of a unitary structure. For example, in one arrangement, multiple components may be joined together by an internal support structure or multiple materials may be molded in successive steps to form a unitary structure.
The shell 26 preferably covers a portion of an outer surface of the base 24 and, desirably, provides protection to the base 24 in addition to improving the overall appearance of the helmet 20. In addition, the shell 26 may also provide an energy absorbing function. In the illustrated arrangement, the shell 26 covers a substantial portion of the outer surface of the base 24, including forward, side, top and rearward portions of the base 24. Preferably, the shell 26 is a relatively thin layer of a plastic material. Desirably, an average thickness of the shell 26 is substantially less than an average thickness of the base 24. In one arrangement, the shell 26 may be injection molded onto a base 24 that has been formed in a previous process step.
Preferably, the helmet 20 also includes a retention mechanism 30, which extends below a lower, rearward portion of the helmet body 22. Desirably, the retention mechanism 30 is configured to contact a lower, rearward portion of the user's head to assist in securing the helmet 20 onto the user and inhibit undesired movement of the helmet 20. Preferably, the retention mechanism 30 only contacts a rearward portion of the user's head. In the illustrated arrangement, the retention mechanism 30 is adjustable relative to the base 24 of the helmet body 22. Thus, in the illustrated arrangement, the retention mechanism 30 is also adjustable relative to the shell 26.
In the illustrated arrangement, the retention mechanism 30 includes two lateral portions 32a and 32b, which preferably define the contact surfaces of the retention mechanism 30. Desirably, the lateral portions 32a, 32b are adjustable relative to one another to permit a user to adjust the fit of the helmet 20. In the illustrated arrangement, the lateral portions 32a, 32b are interconnected and slidable along a bridge member 34, or strap. The lateral portions 32a, 32b and the bridge member 34 may be constructed such that the lateral portions 32a, 32b are held in a desired position relative to the bridge member 34, such as by utilizing interference surface features. With reference to
The helmet 20 also includes a strap arrangement 40 configured to assist in securing the helmet 20 to a user's head. The strap arrangement 40 preferably includes strap (generally referred to by the reference numeral 41) which may be constructed of one or more pieces and secured to one or more locations of the helmet body 22. Preferably, the strap 41 includes a right side portion 42a and a left side portion 42b. The right side portion 42a and left side portion 42b preferably are configured to extend along the respective sides of a user's head and interconnect with one another, preferably under the user's chin. The interconnection of the right side portion 42a and left side portion 42b may be accomplished in any suitable manner, such as the use of a connector, for example. The connector may utilize a releasable, snap lock mechanism, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art.
Preferably, each of the right side portion 42a and the left side portion 42b of the strap arrangement 40 includes a forward strap section 44 and a rearward strap section 46. The strap arrangement 40 is configured such that the forward strap section 44 and the rearward strap section 46 extend from respective forward and rearward locations on an inner surface of the helmet body 22. The forward and rearward strap members 44, 46 are arranged to pass along forward and rearward sides of the user's ear and converge at a point below the ear. From the point of convergence, the forward and rearward strap members 44, 46 may be joined together or may be extend alongside (or on top of) one another toward their respective ends. Typically, the forward and rearward strap members 44, 46 pass through an adjustment mechanism (not shown) at the point of convergence.
In the illustrated arrangement, the above-described strap portions are constructed from a single strap 41 having a first end 48 secured to a forward right side of the helmet body 22. The strap 41 extends from the first end 48 toward the converging point of the forward strap section 44 and rearward strap section 46 and then to the connector between the right side strap portion 42a and the left side strap portion 42b. The strap then doubles back on itself from the connector toward the converging point of the forward strap section 44 and rearward strap section 46 and then continues on to a rearward right side location of the helmet body 22. The portion of the strap material between the converging point and the rearward location of the helmet body 22 is referred to herein as the rearward strap section 46.
As shown in
After passing from an outside of the helmet body 22 to the inside of the helmet body 22 through the opening 52, the strap 41 is arranged to form the rearward strap section 46 and forward strap section 44, as well as the portion of the left side helmet strap portion 42b beyond the converging point, which interconnects with the right side portion 42a, in a manner substantially as described above with respect to the right side portion 42a. In the illustrated arrangement, the strap 41 ultimately terminates at a second end 54 (
With reference to
As described above, preferably the rearward strap members 46 of the strap arrangement 40 are secured to a lower, rearward portion of the helmet body 22 and, desirably, are not secured or attached to the retention mechanism 30. Such an arrangement permits the adjustment of the strap arrangement 40 and the retention mechanism 30 to be accomplished separately without having an affect on one another. Accordingly, a user of the helmet 20 may optimize the adjustment of both the strap arrangement 40 and the retention mechanism 30 to achieve a desired level of securement and comfort of the helmet 20.
Desirably, as described above, the openings 50 and 52 through which the rearward strap members 46 pass between the outside of the helmet body 22 and the inside of the helmet body 22 are spaced apart from one another. Such an arrangement facilitates the right side portion 42a and left side portion 42b of the helmet strap 41 to be held in a spaced-apart orientation such that the helmet 20 may be simply and quickly put on without necessitating excessive pre-arrangement of the straps. In the illustrated arrangement, the openings 50 and 52 are spaced approximately 45 millimeters apart. Preferably, such a spacing represents less than approximately one-third of the overall width of the helmet 20. However, in other arrangements other spacings of the openings 50, 52 may be employed to achieve a desired positioning of the rearward strap members 46.
As described above, preferably the rearward strap members 46 and the openings 50, 52 are located near a lower rearward end of the helmet body 22. With additional reference to
Advantageously, the combination of the base 24 and outer shell 26 provide sufficient support the external portion of the rearward strap members 46 at such close proximity to the lower edge of the helmet body 22. Desirably, the shape and size of the openings 50, 52 are specifically configured to receive the rearward strap members 46 without substantial additional space. That is, preferably, the openings 50, 52 are not simply vent openings 28, but generally correspond in size and shape to the cross-sectional size and shape of the strap 41. In a preferred arrangement, the openings have a cross sectional area of no more than about one-sixteenth square inch.
Preferably, an outer surface of the helmet body 22 includes a recess 60 that extends between the opening 50 and the opening 52. Desirably, the recess 60 is sized and shaped to accommodate the exposed strap section 51 and, preferably, sized and shaped to generally correspond to the size and shape of the exposed strap section 51. In such an arrangement, preferably, and outer surface of the strap section 51 lies generally flush with an outer surface of the helmet body 22 adjacent the recess 60. In one preferred arrangement, the recess 60 does not extend beyond the space between the openings 50, 52 in a vertical or horizontal direction, or both.
The helmet 20 of
With reference to
The helmet body 22, incorporating the internal reinforcement structure 100, may be manufactured by any suitable method. For example, the base 24 of the helmet body may be constructed in a first portion, the reinforcement structure 100 assembled to the first portion and then the remainder of the base 24 may be formed over the combination of the first portion and the reinforcement structure 100. Alternatively, the base 24 may be constructed of individually fabricated portions which are interconnected and which may be interconnected at least in part by the reinforcement structure 100.
As illustrated in
The helmet 20 of
In addition, the openings 50, 52 are spaced somewhat further from a lower edge of the rearward portion of the helmet body 22 in comparison to the helmets 20 of
Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In particular, while the present helmet has been described in the context of particularly preferred embodiments, the skilled artisan will appreciate, in view of the present disclosure, that certain advantages, features, and aspects of the helmet may be realized in a variety of other applications, many of which have been noted above. Additionally, it is contemplated that various aspects and features of the invention described can be practiced separately, combined together, or substituted for one another, and that a variety of combination and sub-combinations of the features and aspects can be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/673,498, filed Apr. 20, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference and should be considered a part of this specification.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4901373 | Broersma | Feb 1990 | A |
4903350 | Gentes et al. | Feb 1990 | A |
5023958 | Rotzin | Jun 1991 | A |
5119516 | Broersma | Jun 1992 | A |
5123121 | Broersma | Jun 1992 | A |
5272773 | Kamata | Dec 1993 | A |
5351342 | Garneau | Oct 1994 | A |
5381560 | Halstead et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
D361407 | Ho | Aug 1995 | S |
D361409 | Ho | Aug 1995 | S |
D361410 | Ho | Aug 1995 | S |
D361411 | Ho | Aug 1995 | S |
D363570 | Ho | Oct 1995 | S |
D366538 | Ho | Jan 1996 | S |
5519895 | Barnes, Jr. | May 1996 | A |
5551094 | Navone | Sep 1996 | A |
5575017 | Hefling et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
5581819 | Garneau | Dec 1996 | A |
5598588 | Lee | Feb 1997 | A |
5794272 | Workman et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5887288 | Arney et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5898950 | Spyrou et al. | May 1999 | A |
5915537 | Dallas et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
6401261 | Arney et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6425142 | Sasaki et al. | Jul 2002 | B2 |
6532602 | Watters et al. | Mar 2003 | B2 |
6912736 | Moeller et al. | Jul 2005 | B2 |
20010022005 | Sasaki et al. | Sep 2001 | A1 |
20030221245 | Lee et al. | Dec 2003 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
0 581 460 | Feb 1994 | EP |
0 682 885 | Jun 2004 | EP |
WO 9501739 | Jan 1995 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20060248630 A1 | Nov 2006 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60673498 | Apr 2005 | US |