Aspects of this document relate generally to a helmet fit adjustment system having a releasable hair aperture.
Protective headgear and helmets have been used in a wide variety of applications and across a number of industries including sports, athletics, construction, mining, military defense, and others, to prevent damage to a user's head and brain. Damage and injury to a user can be prevented or reduced by helmets that prevent hard objects or sharp objects from directly contacting the user's head. Damage and injury to a user can also be prevented or reduced by helmets that absorb, distribute, or otherwise manage energy of an impact.
A helmet that fits properly is important for both comfort and protection. Typically helmets are available in multiple sizes; however, due to a wide spectrum of head sizes, further adjustments may be needed for a proper fit. Conventional helmets often make use of fit adjustment systems wrapping around the rear of the head near the occipital bone. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/833,779(hereinafter the '779 application) describes a helmet with a fit adjustment system including a strap across the occipital region and a device to adjust the fit.
Conventional helmets having a fit adjustment system are problematic for users with long hair, which must be pulled through an opening with closed borders between the fit system and the helmet body. This additional step slows down the process of putting on and taking off the helmet. Furthermore, long hair often has to be braided or otherwise arranged to facilitate pulling through the opening. Additionally, conventional helmets, including those disclosed in the '779 application, typically position a fit adjustment mechanism in the center of the occipital region. A wearer's long hair may block access to the adjustment mechanism, or worse, get tangled within the moving parts. Attempts by users of conventional helmets to avoid these problems sometimes results in ill-fitting helmets that provide reduced protection.
According to one aspect of the disclosure, a helmet fit adjustment system for a helmet may comprise a frame comprising a frame body fixedly coupled to a helmet body of the helmet through at least two anchor points, the frame body comprising a first attachment point positioned within a first lateral half of the frame body and a second attachment point positioned within a second lateral half of the frame body different than the first lateral half, the frame further comprising an occipital strap having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first attachment point, a device receiver coupled to the second attachment point, and a tensioning device comprising a strap receiver and an adjustment wheel, the tensioning device movably coupled to the second end of the occipital strap and releasably coupled to the device receiver, wherein rotational adjustment of the adjustment wheel adjusts a functional length of the occipital strap, wherein the occipital strap is flexibly movable between an open position in which the tensioning device is not directly coupled to the device receiver, and a closed position in which the tensioning device is directly and releasably coupled to the device receiver, forming a hair aperture between the occipital strap and at least one of the frame body and the helmet, and wherein the first lateral half and the second lateral half each comprise at least one of the at least two anchor points.
Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. The tensioning device may comprise a first guide, the device receiver may comprise a second guide, and the first guide and the second guide may be aligned when the occipital strap is in the closed position. One of the first guide and the second guide may comprise a magnet and the other of the first guide and the second guide may comprise one of a magnet and a ferromagnetic material, such that a magnetic attraction exists between the first guide and the second guide when the occipital strap is in the closed position. The tensioning device may comprise a hook, and the device receiver may comprise a hook aperture sized to receive and releasably capture the hook. The tensioning device may comprise a protrusion having a tip and a stem which is narrower than the tip, the device receiver may comprise a keyhole slot having a large end wide enough to receive the tip of the protrusion, and a small end wide enough to receive the stem of the protrusion but narrower than the tip of the protrusion, and the protrusion may be received by the keyhole slot when the tensioning device is directly coupled to the device receiver. The tensioning device may comprise a housing defining a strap path within the housing, and at least part of the second end of the occipital strap is contained inside the housing and extends to outside the housing through the strap receiver. The strap path may extend from the strap receiver to the adjustment wheel in a first direction, and in a second direction, opposing the first direction after passing the adjustment wheel. The first end of the occipital strap may be rotatably coupled to the first attachment point by a pivot.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, a helmet may comprise a helmet body, and a helmet fit adjustment system coupled to and positioned at least partially within the helmet body, the helmet fit adjustment system may comprise a frame comprising a frame body fixedly coupled to the helmet body through at least two anchor points, the frame body comprising a first attachment point positioned within a first lateral half of the frame body and a second attachment point positioned within a second lateral half of the frame body different than the first lateral half, the frame further comprising an occipital strap having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first attachment point, a device receiver coupled to the second attachment point, and a tensioning device comprising a strap receiver, the tensioning device movably coupled to the second end of the occipital strap and releasably coupled to the device receiver, wherein movement of the tensioning device along the occipital strap relative to the first end adjusts a functional length of the occipital strap, wherein the occipital strap is flexibly movable between an open position in which the tensioning device is not directly coupled to the device receiver, and a closed position in which the tensioning device is directly and releasably coupled to the device receiver forming a hair aperture between the occipital strap and at least one of the frame body and the helmet body; and wherein the first lateral half and the second lateral half each comprise at least one of the at least two anchor points.
Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. The tensioning device may comprise a first guide, the device receiver may comprise a second guide, and the first guide and the second guide may be aligned when the occipital strap is in the closed position. One of the first guide and the second guide may comprise a magnet and the other of the first guide and the second guide comprises one of a magnet and a ferromagnetic material, such that a magnetic attraction exists between the first guide and the second guide when the occipital strap is in the closed position. The tensioning device may comprise a hook, and the device receiver may comprise a hook aperture sized to receive and releasably capture the hook. The first end of the occipital strap may be rotatably coupled to the first attachment point by a pivot. The tensioning device may comprise an adjustment wheel moveably coupled to the occipital strap and the tensioning device, and rotational adjustment of the adjustment wheel moves the tensioning device along the occipital strap and adjusts a functional length of the occipital strap. The tensioning device may comprise a housing defining a strap path within the housing, and at least part of the second end of the occipital strap is contained inside the housing and extends to outside the housing through the strap receiver. The strap path may extend from the strap receiver to the adjustment wheel in a first direction, and may extend in a second direction after passing the adjustment wheel, the second direction opposing the first direction. An occipital pad, wherein at least part of the occipital strap of the frame is contained within a portion of the occipital pad. The tensioning device may be closer to the second lateral half of the frame body than the first lateral half of the frame body when the occipital strap is in the closed position.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of securing a helmet to a head having long hair may comprise placing the helmet on a head to position the head proximate a helmet fit adjustment system comprising a frame, a device receiver, and a tensioning device, the frame comprising a frame body fixedly coupled to a helmet body through at least two anchor points, gathering the long hair by moving the tensioning device and a second end of an occipital strap of the frame around and beneath the long hair proximate the occipital strap, the tensioning device movably coupled to the second end and the occipital strap further comprising a first end coupled to a first attachment point located in a first lateral half of the frame body, capturing the hair in a hair aperture by directly coupling the tensioning device to the device receiver, the device receiver coupled to a second attachment point located in a second lateral half of the frame body different than the first lateral half, and adjusting a fit of the helmet by adjusting a functional length of the occipital strap by moving the tensioning device along the occipital strap relative to the first end of the occipital strap.
Particular embodiments of the method may further comprise aligning the tensioning device with the device receiver by aligning a first guide of the tensioning device with a second guide of the device receiver.
Aspects and applications of the disclosure presented here are described below in the drawings and detailed description. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fully aware that they can be their own lexicographers if desired. The inventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventors′ intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims.
The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above.
Further, the inventors are fully informed of the standards and application of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Thus, the use of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Detailed Description or Description of the Drawings or claims is not intended to somehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6, to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6 are sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will specifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or “step for”, and will also recite the word “function” (i.e., will state “means for performing the function of [insert function]”), without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for performing the function of . . . ” or “step for performing the function of . . . ,” if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of the inventors not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6 are invoked to define the claimed aspects, it is intended that these aspects not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of the disclosure, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function.
The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from the DESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS.
The invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and:
This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to the specific helmet or material types, or other system component examples, or methods disclosed herein. Many additional components, manufacturing and assembly procedures known in the art consistent with helmet manufacture are contemplated for use with particular implementations from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particular implementations are disclosed, such implementations and implementing components may comprise any components, models, types, materials, versions, quantities, and/or the like as is known in the art for such systems and implementing components, consistent with the intended operation.
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 embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail particular embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the disclosed methods and systems, and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the disclosed concepts to the embodiments illustrated.
Conventional helmets with fit adjustment systems typically include an element near the occipital region of a wearer's head to better secure the helmet. See, for example,
Contemplated in this disclosure is a helmet with a fit adjustment system having a releasable hair aperture.
In the context of the present description, a hair aperture or releasable hair aperture refers to an opening framed in part by a releasable occipital strap within which long hair is secured. In some embodiments, the frame 206 may border the entire hair aperture. In other embodiments, including the non-limiting example shown in
In one or more embodiments, the frame body 212 comprises at least two anchor points 308. In the context of the present description and the claims that follow, an anchor point is a portion of the frame body through which the frame body is coupled to a helmet body. In some embodiments, the frame body 212 may be releasably coupled to a helmet body through at least two anchor points 308. In other embodiments, the frame body 212 may be fixedly coupled to a helmet body through at least two anchor points 308. The anchor points 308 may be coupled to the helmet body using any methods or techniques known in the art, including but not limited to, in molding and post-molding insertion.
In some embodiments, including the non-limiting example shown in
As shown in
In other embodiments, including the non-limiting example in
The frame 206 shown in
In some embodiments, an occipital strap 208 may be composed of the same material as the frame body 212. In other embodiments, the occipital strap may be composed of a different material. The occipital strap 212 may be of various shapes including, but not limited to, ribbons and cords.
As shown in
Furthermore, the tensioning device 208 is configured to alter the functional length 316 of the occipital strap 210 to which it is coupled. In the context of the present description, functional length 316 refers to the length of the occipital strap 210 between the first attachment point 301 and the second attachment point 302. Operating the tensioning device 208 (e.g. turning the adjustment wheel 502 of
The helmet fit adjustment system 204 further comprises a device receiver 300. The device receiver 300 is coupled to the frame body 212 at the second attachment point 302, according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the device receiver 300 may be releasably coupled to the second attachment point 302. For example, in one embodiment, the coupling between the first end 310 of the occipital strap 210 and the frame body 212, as well as the coupling between the device receiver 300 and the frame body 212, may be releasable, such that the first attachment point 301 and the second attachment point 302 may be interchangeable. This would allow a helmet wearer to position the device receiver 300 (and thus, the coupled tensioning device) on a preferred lateral half of the frame body (e.g. the lateral half associated with their dominant hand, etc.). The device receiver will be discussed in greater detail with respect to
In some embodiments, the frame 206 may be formed from a single piece of material. In other embodiments, the frame 206 may be constructed from multiple parts; for example, in one embodiment, the frame body 212 and the occipital strap 210 may be separate pieces joined at the first attachment point 301 by a pivot 314.
Since the helmet 200 is on the wearer's head while the tensioning device 400 is being coupled to the device receiver 300, they are not able to see what they are doing. According to various embodiments, including the non-exclusive examples shown in
According to various embodiments, the alignment and/or relative position of the first 506 and second 404 guides may be determined by the long haired helmet wearer without needing to be seen. For example, one of the guides (e.g. the first guide 506 of
In some embodiments, the guides may utilize magnetic attraction to indicate alignment to a wearer unable to see. In other embodiments, the guides may be non-magnetic. For example, the first and second guides may comprise features in the surfaces of the tensioning device and device receiver, or surfaces proximate to one or both of those elements; when the user can feel the two features aligned (e.g. forming a line, two bumps feeling like one bump, etc.), the tensioning device is, or is about to be, directly coupled to the device receiver.
As seen in the non-limiting example shown in
An occipital strap 210 is not shown in
According to one or more embodiments, while in the closed position 420, a tensioning device is directly and releasably coupled to a device receiver. Such a coupling may be accomplished in a number of ways. See, for example, the non-limiting example shown in
In other embodiments, including the non-limiting examples shown in
A tensioning device and a device receiver may be directly and releasably coupled by other mechanisms. For example, in one embodiment, a tensioning device and a device receiver may be releasably coupled through magnetism. The coupling may be released by mechanically separating the magnets (e.g. pushing a wedge between them, sliding one out of alignment with the other, etc.). In another embodiment, the releasable coupling may be achieved using a pin and a biased catch.
In addition to releasably coupling an occipital strap 210 to a second attachment point 302, a tensioning device may also be used to adjust the fit of a helmet by adjusting the functional length 316 of the occipital strap 210.
In some embodiments, simply turning an adjustment wheel 502 may cause the tensioning device to move along the occipital strap 210, altering the functional length 316. In other embodiments, including the non-limiting example shown in
In conventional helmets with fit adjustment systems, an adjustor 104 is conventionally centered on the back of the helmet 100, and causes straps to move through the adjustor 104 from both directions. The tensioning devices contemplated herein, however, may accept a single strap through a strap receiver 504, according to various embodiments. Once received through the strap receiver 504, the second end 312 of the occipital strap 210 may be contained within a hollow strap path 602 inside the housing 500 of the tensioning device 600. In a specific embodiment shown in the non-limiting example of
Multiple embodiments of a tensioning device have been discussed herein, including tensioning device 208 of
Where the above examples, embodiments and implementations reference examples, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that other helmet and helmet fit adjustment systems and examples could be intermixed or substituted with those provided. In places where the description above refers to particular embodiments of helmets and helmet fit adjustment methods, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof and that these embodiments and implementations may be applied to other to helmet fit adjustment technologies as well. Accordingly, the disclosed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the disclosure and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/260,084, filed Nov. 25, 2015titled “Helmet Fit Adjustment System with Detachable Hair Opening Strap,” the entirety of the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by this reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62260084 | Nov 2015 | US |