Patent Application
20240197012
Sweat management is a critical aspect of helmet and goggles performance that involves managing the sweat from the head of a user (e.g., a wearer) of the helmet or goggles during use. Users are often participating in an activity that requires physical exertion, causing perspiration. Examples of activities include, but are not limited to, skiing, snowboarding, bicycling, rollerblading, rock climbing, skate boarding, and motorcycling. If not properly managed, sweat can drip into the eyes, glasses, and goggles of the user, blurring vision of the user and increasing the risk of a crash and injury.
Accordingly, helmets designed to prevent the dripping of sweat into the eyes, glasses, and goggles of the user include features that can absorb or re-direct the sweat away from the eyes of the user. For example, known helmets can include a foam padding designed to absorb sweat of the user to prevent dripping and obfuscation of the user's vision. However, this padding can become saturated and nevertheless result in sweat dripping into the eyes of the user.
Accordingly, there is a need for improvements in sweat management in helmets.
Embodiments provide a brow pad configured to drain sweat away from eyes of a user. The brow pad can include a fabric band comprising an inner surface configured to contact a forehead of the user. The brow pad can also include an enclosed channel disposed within the fabric band and extending from a first location proximate to a first end of the fabric band to a second location proximate to a second end of the fabric band opposite the first end. The brow pad can also include a drainage strip disposed within the enclosed channel, the drainage strip comprising a hydrophobic material.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can be raised relative to a first end and a second end of the drainage strip when the fabric band is applied to the forehead of the user. The drainage strip can be configured to route sweat from a center of the enclosed channel towards the first location and the second location.
In some embodiments, the enclosed channel can include a foam material at least partially surrounding the drainage strip.
In some embodiments, the hydrophobic material can include at least one of silicone, rubber, or plastic.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can have a D-shaped cross-section.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can have a U-shaped cross-section.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can have a circular cross-section.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can include a plurality of ridges.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can be within about 20 millimeters of the bottom of the fabric band.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can extend at least about 140 millimeters.
In some embodiments, the brow pad can also include one or more ventilation openings.
Embodiments provide a helmet including a brow pad configured to drain sweat away from eyes of a user. The helmet can include a helmet body comprising an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The helmet can also include an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The helmet can also include a fabric band disposed on the inner surface and configured to contact a forehead of the user. The helmet can also include an enclosed channel disposed within the fabric band and extending from a first location proximate to a first end of the fabric band to a second location proximate to a second end of the fabric band opposite the first end. The helmet can also include a drainage strip disposed within the enclosed channel, the drainage strip comprising a hydrophobic material.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can be raised relative to the first end and the second end of the drainage strip when the fabric band is applied to the forehead of the user. The drainage strip can be configured to route sweat from a center of the enclosed channel towards the first location and the second location.
In some embodiments, the enclosed channel can include a foam material at least partially surrounding the drainage strip.
In some embodiments, the hydrophobic material can include at least one of silicone, rubber, or plastic.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can have a D-shaped cross-section.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can have a U-shaped cross-section.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can have a circular cross-section.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can include a plurality of ridges.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can be within about 20 millimeters of the bottom of the fabric band.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can extend at least about 140 millimeters.
In some embodiments, the brow pad can also include one or more ventilation openings.
Embodiments provide goggles configured to drain sweat away from eyes of a user. The goggles can include a frame. The goggles can also include a lens disposed within the frame. The goggles can also include an inner padding attached to an inner surface of the frame, the inner padding including a brow pad with an enclosed channel extending from a first location to a second location. The goggles can also include a drainage strip disposed within the enclosed channel, the drainage strip including a hydrophobic material. A center of the drainage strip can be raised relative to both ends of the drainage strip when the goggles are worn by the user. The drainage strip can be configured to route sweat from a center of the enclosed channel towards the first location and the second location.
In some embodiments, the enclosed channel can include a foam material at least partially surrounding the drainage strip.
In some embodiments, the hydrophobic material can include at least one of silicone, rubber, or plastic.
In some embodiments, the brow pad can include a first foam layer; a fabric band configured to contact a face of the user; and a second foam layer between the first foam layer and the fabric band. The enclosed channel can be defined within the second foam layer.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can have a D-shaped cross-section.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can have a U-shaped cross-section.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can have a circular cross-section.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can include a plurality of ridges.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can be within about 20 millimeters of the bottom of the fabric band.
In some embodiments, the drainage strip can extend at least about 140 millimeters.
In some embodiments, the brow pad can also include one or more ventilation openings.
While structures are described herein by way of examples and embodiments, those skilled in the art recognize that the helmet with brow pad is not limited to the embodiments or drawings described. It should be understood that the drawings and description are not intended to be limited to the particular form disclosed. Rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Any headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used herein, the word “can” is used in a permissive sense (e.g., meaning being able to to) rather than the mandatory sense (e.g., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include,” “including,” and “includes” mean including, but not limited to.
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 are contemplated for use with particular implementations from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particular implementations are disclosed, such implementations and implementing components can 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.
The word “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.
While this disclosure includes a number of implementations in many different forms, there are, shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, particular implementations 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 implementations illustrated.
The present application relates to a brow pad that can be disposed on a helmet and configured to re-direct sweat away from and/or blocking from eyes of a user of the helmet. The brow pad can include a drainage strip that, when pressed against a forehead of the user, is raised at a central point relative to its ends, thereby blocking and/or draining the sweat along the drainage strip and away from the eyes of the user.
Applicant has invented a novel brow pad for a helmet that re-directs sweat away from the eyes of the user. The helmet can be any type or style of helmet, such as a cycling helmet, a skiing helmet, a snowboarding helmet, a skateboarding helmet, a motorcycle helmet, etc. The brow pad can be any suitable shape to be installed on an inner surface of the helmet. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the exemplary brow pads described in this disclosure, e.g., 200, 400, are merely illustrative and in no way limiting of the possible shape/design of the brow pad.
While the embodiments disclosed herein describe a brow pad for a helmet that re-directs sweat away from the eyes of the user, it will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the brow pad can re-direct any liquid dripping from the forehead of the user, such as water.
Referring to
As seen in
In various embodiments, brow pad 200 can further include one or more ventilation openings, e.g., 240, 241. Ventilation openings can permit the flow of air through the brow bad to improve breathability.
In various embodiments, first location 221 can be proximate to first end 211 and second location 222 can be proximate to second end 212.
In various embodiments, enclosed channel 220 can be filled with a foam material that at least partially surrounds drainage strip 230, as illustrated in
Drainage strip 230 can extend a length from an end 231 and an end 232 located opposite end 231. In various embodiments, end 231 can be proximate to first location 221 and end 232 can be proximate to second location 222. In such embodiments, the length of drainage strip 230 is approximately equal to a length of enclosed channel 220.
In general, the length of drainage strip 230 can be any length sufficient to redirect sweat away from the eyes of the user in order to prevent the sweat from dripping into the eyes of the user. In various embodiments, the length of drainage strip 230 can be at least about 140 millimeters (mm), such as about 145 mm, such as about 150 mm, such as about 160 mm.
In various embodiments, drainage strip 230 can made of a hydrophobic material that repels sweat from the eyes of the user along the length of drainage strip 230 and towards ends 231 and 232. The hydrophobic material can be, but is not limited to, silicone, rubber, or plastic. It will be appreciated that the drainage strip can be made of any material capable of directing sweat away from the eyes of the user, including a composite material that has hydrophobic characteristics.
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When applied to helmet 100, an inner surface 213 of fabric band 210 can contact a forehead of the user and an outer surface 214 can be configured to secure brow pad 200, 400 to inner surface 103 of helmet 100 by, e.g., Velcro or a snap-fit attachment. Drainage strip 230 can be raised at a central point 233, as seen in
A cross-section of a drainage strip 230 can vary, as depicted in
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In
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In
When in use, brow pad 705 presses against the face above the eyes of the user, such that drainage strip 730 can block sweat and/or other liquid dripping from the forehead of a user. Drainage strip 730 can be raised at a point at or near a central point of the brow pad or channel in order to re-direct sweat away from the eyes of the user along a length of drainage strip 730. Alternatively, the drainage strip 730 can have a straight profile without any rise at the central point and can function to block sweat and/or other liquid from entering the eyes of the user.
It will be understood that helmet with brow pad implementations are not limited to the specific components disclosed herein, as virtually any components consistent with the intended operation of the various helmet with brow pad implementations can be utilized. Accordingly, for example, it should be understood that, while the drawings and accompanying text show and describe particular helmet with brow pad implementations, any such implementation can comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, class, grade, measurement, concentration, material, weight, quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of helmet with brow pad implementations.
The concepts disclosed herein are not limited to the specific helmet with brow pad implementations shown herein. For example, it is specifically contemplated that the components included in particular helmet with brow pad implementations can be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations that can readily be formed into shaped objects and that are consistent with the intended operation of the helmet with brow pad implementations. For example, the components can be formed of: silicones and/or other like materials; rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; elastomers and/or other like materials; polymers and/or other like materials; plastics and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; and/or any combination of the foregoing.
Furthermore, helmet with brow pad implementations can be manufactured separately and then assembled together, or any or all of the components can be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously, as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, can involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they can then be coupled or removably coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a plastic weld, a fastener, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material(s) forming the components.
In places where the description above refers to particular helmet with brow pad implementations, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications can be made without departing from the spirit thereof and that these implementations can be applied to other implementations disclosed or undisclosed. The presently disclosed helmet with brow pad implementations are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
Having described and illustrated the principles of our invention with reference to the described embodiment, it will be recognized that the described embodiment can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. It should be understood that the programs, processes, or methods described herein are not related or limited to any particular type of computing environment, unless indicated otherwise. Elements of the described embodiment shown in software can be implemented in hardware and vice versa.
In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of our invention can be applied, we claim as our invention all such embodiments as can come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/434,090, filed Dec. 20, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63434090 | Dec 2022 | US |
