BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a cover and, more particularly, to a cover for a helmet retention strap chin protector.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment there is a cover comprising a receiver having a concave-shaped inner surface and a flap including a first side coupled to the receiver and a second side including a fastener. The flap may be moveable relative to the receiver from an open position to a closed position. The fastener may be configured to be coupled to the receiver when the flap is in the closed position. The receiver may include a first sidewall having a first edge, a second sidewall having a second edge, and a central portion coupled to each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The flap may be adjacent the first edge and the second edge and may be spaced from the central portion when the flap is in the closed position. The first sidewall may include an end having an end height and a center having a center height. The center height may be greater than the end height. The second sidewall and the fastener may have substantially the same shape. The second sidewall may be configured to couple to the fastener. At least one of the fastener and the second sidewall may include a plurality of hooks and the other of the fastener and the second sidewall include a plurality of loops configured to engage the hooks. The flap may be configured to fold over the second edge such that the fastener is adjacent the second sidewall. The cover may be configured to receive a chin protector. The cover may be configured to receive a chin protector coupled to a helmet. An inside surface of the receiver may be shaped to correspond to an outside surface of a chin protector. The fastener may be spaced downwardly from a user's face when the user's chin is within the chin protector.
In a further embodiment, the cover may include piping on at least a portion of a perimeter of the cover. The receiver may be comprised at least partially of neoprene. The flap may be comprised of an elastomeric material. The flap may be perforated. The fastener may be crescent shaped. The flap may be generally planar in the closed position. The fastener may be generally perpendicular to the portion of the flap extending across the receiver in the closed position.
In one embodiment, there is a method of covering a chin protector comprising obtaining a cover including a receiver having a concave-shaped inner surface and a flap having a first side coupled to the receiver and a second side including a fastener. The method may include positioning the concave inner surface of the cover adjacent a convex outer surface of the chin protector and folding the flap over the chin protector such that the fastener is coupled to the receiver. The chin protector may include a first edge, a second edge, and a central portion, and the folding step may include folding the flap over the chin protector such that the flap is adjacent the first edge and the second edge and is spaced from the central portion of the chin protector.
In a further embodiment, the method may include placing a user's chin within the chin protector such that the flap stretches to contact the central portion of the chin protector. The second side of the flap is spaced from a user's face when the user's chin is within the chin protector. The chin protector may be coupled to a helmet prior to the positioning step. In a further embodiment, the method includes uncoupling the fastener from the receiver and removing the cover from the chin protector while the chin protector is coupled to the helmet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments of the chin protector cover, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings of an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. For example, although not expressly stated herein, features of one or more various disclosed embodiments may be incorporated into other of the disclosed embodiments.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a top, front perspective view of a cover in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the cover of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the cover of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the cover of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of the cover of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a top, front perspective view of the cover of FIG. 1 with a flap in an open position;
FIG. 7 is a rear, bottom perspective view of the cover of FIG. 1 with the flap in an open position;
FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the cover of FIG. 1 with the flap in an open position;
FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the cover of FIG. 1 coupled to a chin protector;
FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the cover of FIG. 1 coupled to a chin protector;
FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the cover of FIG. 1 coupled to a chin protector;
FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of the cover of FIG. 1 with a user's chin within a chin protector;
FIG. 13 is a top, front perspective view of two covers of alternating color schemes in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 14 is a flow chart of one method of using a cover in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Chin protectors may be coupled to retention straps of a helmet or hat and help secure the helmet or hat on a user's head and provide padding to the user's chin. The user's chin sits inside a concave side of the chin protector. Chin protectors can be difficult or time consuming to remove from the retention straps and therefore are difficult to keep clean. Detaching the chin protector from the retention straps and/or detaching the retention straps from the helmet increases the risk that a user fails to properly reattach the components and potentially leading to injury. To avoid adsorbing sweat and dirt, chin protectors are often made of plastic that can be irritating to the user's skin. Chin protectors coupled to a helmet are primarily designed for safety and thus aesthetics of the chin protector itself may only be a secondary consideration. Sleeve covers have been used to provide extra padding and moisture absorption and help keep the chin protector clean. However, such chin protector covers require the user to slide the cover over the chin protector when the protector or retention straps are detached from the helmet. It may not be feasible to remove the chin protector to put on the cover when the chin protector is permanently fixed to the retention straps.
Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown a cover, generally designated 10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the cover 10 provides a washable pad and desired appearance without having to detach the chin protector and/or retention straps.
Referring to FIG. 9, in one embodiment, the cover 10 is configured to receive a chin cup or protector 54 (e.g., a chin protector coupled to a helmet or hat). The cover 10 may be moveable between an open configuration (see FIG. 6) and a closed configuration (see FIG. 1) such that the cover 10 may receive a chin protector while the chin protector is coupled to a helmet 56. In one embodiment the helmet 56 is a football helmet. In other embodiments, the helmet 56 is a helmet for use with a bicycle, motorcycle, hockey, football, lacrosse, skiing, military, or law enforcement. One helmet and chin protector system in which the cover 10 may be utilized with is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,950,073, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. In other embodiments, the cover 10 is configured to receive a knee protector, elbow protector, or other device that has a bend or concave shape. The cover 10 may be configured to be coupled and decoupled to a chin protector 54 while the chin protector 54 remains coupled to the helmet 56.
Referring now to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the cover 10 includes a receiving portion or receiver 12. The receiver 12 may be configured to receive a chin protector. The receiver 12 may have a concave-shaped inner surface 14 (inner surface best seen in FIG. 7). The receiver 12 may be cup shaped. The inner surface 14 of the receiver 12 may be shaped to correspond to an outside surface 17 of a chin protector. The concavity of the inner surface 14 may be selected based on the shape of the chin protector which the cover 10 will be coupled to. The receiver 12 may be manufactured from a material selected from one or more of neoprene, rubber, polyester, and an elastomer. In one embodiment, the receiver is comprised of an absorbent material. In one embodiment, the receiver 12 is primarily comprised of neoprene. The material selected for the receiver 12 may include anti-microbial properties. The receiver 12 may be manufactured from an elastic material such that receiver 12 can stretch to adapt to the outer surface shape of any chin protector, knee protector, elbow protector, etc.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the receiver 12 may include a first sidewall 16 having a first edge 18. The receiver 12 may include a second sidewall 20 having a second edge 22 (FIG. 7). The first edge 18 and second edge 22 may have a similar shape. The first edge 18 may be coupled to another portion of the receiver 12 and the second edge 22 may be a free end when the cover 10 is in the open configuration. The shape of the second edge 22 may be defined by an arcuate portion of a circle having a radius of about 1 inch to about 6 inches, about 2 inches to about 5 inches, about 3 inches to about 4 inches, about 1 inch, about 2 inches, about 3 inches, about 4 inches, about 5 inches, or about 6 inches. The second edge 22 may have an arcuate shape to conform to the contour of an edge 60 of a chin protector 54 (e.g., the chin protector of FIGS. 9-10).
Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the receiver 12 may include a central portion 24 coupled to each of the first sidewall 16 and the second sidewall 20. In one embodiment, the central portion 24 is coupled to the first sidewall 16 and second sidewall 20 by stitching. In one embodiment, the central portion 24 is coupled to the first sidewall 16 and second sidewall 20 by adhesive, welding, or anchors. The central portion 24 may be substantially perpendicular to at least one of the first sidewall 16 and the second sidewall 20 when the cover 10 is in the closed position. The central portion 24 may have a surface area of about 10% to about 100%, about 20% to about 90%, about 30% to about 80%, about 40% to about 70%, about 50% to about 60%, about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, about 100%, about 110%, about 120%, about 130%, about 140%, or about 150% of the surface area of one of the first sidewall 16 and the second sidewall 20. The central portion 24 may be coupled to the first sidewall 16 at a first seam 38. The first sidewall 16 and second sidewall 20 may have substantially (e.g., within 10%) the same size, shape, thickness, and/or volume. The first sidewall 16 and second sidewall 20 may have a different size, shape, thickness, and/or volume from one another. In one embodiment, one or more of the first sidewall 16, the second sidewall 20, and the central portion 24 are a unitary construct. The central portion 24 may comprise a single layer of material. The central portion 24 may comprise a first layer and a second layer and the first and second layers may be different materials.
In one embodiment, the central portion 24 includes indicia 25. The indicia 25 may include one or more of an image such as a team logo, word or phrase such as a team name, number such as a player's jersey number, and picture. The indicia 25 may be a different color than the central portion 24. The indicia 25 may be a different material than the central portion 24. In one embodiment, the indicia 25 is stitched into the central portion 24. In other embodiments, the indicia 25 is printed or otherwise affixed to the outer surface of the central portion 24. The central portion 24 may include a first arcuate portion of a circle 13 (FIG. 4) having a first radius. The central portion 24 may include a second arcuate portion of a circle 15 (FIG. 5) having a second radius. A ratio of the first radius to the second radius may be about 5:1, about 4:1, about 3:1, about 2:1, about 1:1, about 1:2, about 1:3, about 1:4, or about 1:5. The first radius may be greater than the second radius. The second radius may be greater than the first radius. The central portion 24 may have, at least partially, a contour of a torus.
Referring to FIG. 1, the first sidewall 16 may include a first end 26, a center 28, and a second end 30. The first end 26 may include a first end height 32 measured between the first seam 38 and the first edge 18. The center 28 may include a center height 34 measured between the first seam 38 and the first edge 18. The second end 30 may include a second end height 36 measured between the first seam 38 and the first edge 18. The center height 34 may be greater than the first end height 32. The center height 34 may be greater than the second end height 36. A ratio of the center height 34 to the first end height 32 may be about 1:1, about 3:2, about 2:1, about 5:2, about 3:1, about 4:1, or about 5:1. A ratio of the first end height 32 to the second end height 36 may be from about 1:2 to about 2:1. The first end height 32 may be equal to the second end height 36.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, in one embodiment, the cover 10 includes a flap 40 configured to be moveable with respect to the receiver 12 from an open position (FIG. 6) to a closed position (FIG. 1). The flap 40 may rotate about the first edge 18 with respect to the receiver 12 to move between the open and closed positions. The flap 40 may include a first side 42 and a second side 44. The first side 42 may be fixed to the receiver 12. The first side 42 may be coupled to the first edge 18. The second side 44 may be a free end when the flap is in the open position. The flap 40 may be adjacent the first edge 18 and the second edge 22 of the receiver 12 when the flap 40 is in the closed position. The flap 40 may be spaced from the central portion 24 of the receiver when the flap is in the closed position (best seen in FIG. 5). In one embodiment, the flap 40 is perforated. A perforated flap 40 may improve user comfort by providing better ventilation when the cover 10 is in contact with a user's chin as compared to a non-perforated flap. The flap 40 may be at least partially comprised of neoprene such as along the perimeter. The flap 40 may primarily be comprised of an elastomeric material such as neoprene, elastic, or elastane. In one embodiment, the flap 40 is configured to stretch across the chin protector when the flap is in the closed position or is at least pulled taut in a generally flat plan across the concaved chin protector as discussed further below (see FIG. 11). Piping 52 may extend around at least a portion of a perimeter of the cover 10 including the flap 40. The piping 52 may reinforce the perimeter of the cover 10. The piping 52 may be comprised of neoprene.
Referring to FIG. 7, the second side 44 of the flap 40 may include a fastener 46. The fastener 46 may be configured to engage the second sidewall 20 to at least temporarily secure the flap 40 to the receiver 12 when the flap 40 is in the closed position. The fastener 46 may be configured to detachably engage the receiver 12 such that the flap 40 may be repeatedly coupled to and de-coupled from the receiver 12. The fastener 46 may be configured to permanently couple to the receiver 12 when the flap 40 is in the closed position. The fastener 46 may be configured to engage a receiver fastener 48 on the receiver 12. The receiver fastener 48 may be coupled to the second sidewall 20 via stitching and/or adhesive. The fastener 46 may cover about 10% to about 75%, about 15% to about 65%, about 20% to about 50%, about 25% to about 40%, or about 30% to about 40% of the inner surface of the flap 40. The fastener 46 may include at least one of a hook and loop connector (e.g., VELCRO® brand hook and loop fastener) and be configured to engage the other of the hook and loop connector on the second sidewall 20. In one embodiment, at least one of the fastener 46 and the second sidewall 20 include a plurality of hooks and the other of the fastener and the second sidewall include a plurality of loops configured to engage the hooks. The fastener 46 may be one or more of a snap, button, adhesive, or zipper. The fastener 46 and the second sidewall 20 may have substantially the same shape. The fastener 46 and the receiver fastener 48 may have substantially the same shape. The receiver fastener 48 and the second sidewall 20 may have substantially the same shape. The receiver fastener 48 may cover about 50% to about 100%, about 60% to about 95%, about 70% to about 90%, or about 80% to about 85% of an outer surface of the second sidewall 20 when the flap 40 is in the closed position.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, the flap 40 may be configured to fold over the second edge 22 of the second sidewall 20 such that the fastener 46 is adjacent the second sidewall 20 when the flap 40 is in the closed position. The flap 40 may be resiliently stretched when the flap 40 extends toward the second sidewall 20. The receiver 12 may maintain its shape while the flap 40 resiliently stretches toward the second sidewall 20. The fastener 46 may be crescent shaped. The fastener 46 may have an inner border 50 having a shape of an arcuate portion of a circle having a radius of about 1 inch to about 6 inches, about 2 inches to about 5 inches, about 3 inches to about 4 inches, about 1 inch, about 2 inches, about 3 inches, about 4 inches, about 5 inches, or about 6 inches. The inner border 50 may be similarly shaped to the second edge 22. The inner border 50 may have the same shape as the second edge 22 such that when the flap is folded over the second edge 22, the fastener 46 is adjacent the second sidewall 20 and the fastener 46 does not extend above an edge 60 of the chin protector 54 (FIG. 11). The chin protector 54 may include a shell 55 with padding 57 lining the shell 55. The padding 57 may be positioned between a portion of the shell 55 and the cover 10 when the cover 10 is coupled to the chin protector 54. In one embodiment, the second edge 22 is adjacent an end of the shell 55 when the cover 10 is coupled to the chin protector 54. In another embodiment, the second edge 22 is adjacent the edge 60 which may be defined by the padding 57. In one embodiment, the flap 40 is folded over the second edge 22 such that the fastener 46 is spaced downwardly from a user's face when the user's chin is within the chin protector.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 11, the fastener 46 on the second end 44 of the flap 40 may be generally perpendicular to the portion of the flap 40 extending across the receiver 12 when the flap 40 is in the closed position. The flap 40 may be generally planar when the flap is in the closed position. In one embodiment, by having the fastener 46 may be generally perpendicular to the remainder of the flap 40, movement or force on the flap 40 has little to no impact on the retention of the fastener 46. The flap 40 may be spaced from a central portion 62 of the chin protector 54 when the flap is in the closed position. One or more ends 41 of the cover 10 may be open when the flap 40 is in the closed position. An end 43 of the flap 40 may be spaced from an end 45 of the receiver 12 when the flap 40 is in the closed position. The flap 40 may be elastomeric such that the flap may be resiliently moved toward and away from the central portion 62 of the chin protector 54 while the fastener 46 is coupled to the receiver fastener 48 such that the flap 40 is held against the skin of the user and acts as a cushion during any relative movement of the chin protector 54 relative to the user's chin. The flap 40 may contact the central portion 62 of the chin protector 54 when a user's chin is within the chin protector (FIG. 12).
The cover 10 may be provided separately or as part of a kit with two or more covers. The kit may include covers having different appearances from one another such as different color schemes and/or indicia. Turning to FIG. 13, the kit may include a first cover 64 having a first color scheme and a second cover 66 having a second color scheme. The kit may include one or more first covers 64 and/or one or more second covers 66. The kit may include more than any number of covers with any number of appearances. In one embodiment, the color of the receiver 12 of the first cover 64 is different than the color of the receiver 12 of the second cover 66. In other embodiments, the color of any element (e.g., piping, flap, or fastener) of the first cover 64 is different from the color of that element on the second cover 66. In some embodiments, having two or more color schemes and/or indicia is useful in identifying whether a team is playing at a home field or an away field or for supporting a specific cause (e.g., breast cancer awareness). Having a plurality of different covers 10 is facilitated due to the configuration of the cover that allows it to be quickly and easily donned and doffed from the chin protector.
Referring to FIG. 14, a method of covering a chin protector may include obtaining the cover 10 and positioning the inner surface 14 of the cover adjacent an outer surface of a chin protector 54. The method may include moving the flap 40 from the closed position to the open position prior to positioning the inner surface 14 adjacent the chin protector 54. The method may include manipulating (e.g., folding, sliding, rotating) the flap 40 over the edge 60 of the chin protector 54 such that the fastener 46 is coupled to the receiver 12. The method may include folding the flap 40 over a second edge 22 of the second sidewall 20 such that the fastener 46 is at least temporarily coupled to the receiver fastener 48. The manipulating step may include folding the flap 40 over the chin protector such that the flap is adjacent the first edge 18 and the second edge 22 and is spaced from the central portion 62 of the chin protector. The fastener 46 may be simultaneously coupled to the receiver 12 (e.g., the receiver fastener 48) as the flap 40 is folded over the second sidewall 20. In one embodiment, the fastener 46 is coupled to the receiver after the flap 40 is folded over the second sidewall 20.
The method may include placing a user's chin within the chin protector 54 such that the flap 40 stretches to contact the central portion 62 of the chin protector 54. The method may include removing a user's chin from the chin protector 54 such that the flap 40 is spaced from the central portion 62 of the chin protector 54. The chin protector 54 may be coupled to a helmet 56 by a connector 58. The connector 58 of the chin protector 54 may be coupled to the helmet 56 prior to positioning the cover 10 on the chin protector 54. The method may further include uncoupling the fastener 46 from the receiver 12 and removing the cover 10 from the chin protector 54 while the chin protector 54 is coupled to the helmet 56. The method may further include coupling a second cover 66 to the chin protector 54. The second cover 66 may have a different appearance than cover 10 (FIG. 13).
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the exemplary embodiments shown and described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. For example, specific features of the exemplary embodiments may or may not be part of the claimed invention and various features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined. The words “right”, “left”, “lower” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the cover. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”.
It is to be understood that at least some of the figures and descriptions of the invention have been simplified to focus on elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements that those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate may also comprise a portion of the invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not necessarily facilitate a better understanding of the invention, a description of such elements is not provided herein.
Further, to the extent that the methods of the present invention do not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the particular order of the steps should not be construed as limitation on the claims. Any claims directed to the methods of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the steps may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Patent Application
20190357619
