Patent Application
20170112227
Aspects of this document relate generally to helmets with chin bars.
Protective headgear and helmets are used in a wide variety of sports, athletics, competitions, and activities. Some endeavors require more protection than others, especially activities involving high speeds in obstacle-filled environments, like downhill racing or off-road motorized vehicles. Many participants of such activities wear full-face helmets, meaning the helmet has a chin bar.
Many conventional helmets with chin bars employ a chin bar that is bolted or otherwise attached to the front of the helmet. Other helmets, such as those disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/642,287, titled “Enduro Mountain Biking Chin Bar”, employ a removable chin bar attached to the outside of a helmet.
Upon impact, chin bars will flex to absorb and redirect energy, protecting the wearer. In conventional helmets, the impact forces are mainly born by the couplings attaching the chin bar to the outside of the helmet, thus requiring the couplings to be robust, and often numerous. This can make the manufacture of such helmets more complicated and more expensive. Furthermore, in cases where the chin bar is designed to be removable by the wearer, each of those numerous, robust couplings may require additional mechanisms to be releasable. Finally, because conventional helmets rely on a number of discrete coupling points to bear the impact force, some types impacts are absorbed better than others; many conventional helmets have limited resistance to impacts that are not head-on.
According to one aspect, a helmet includes an outer shell and a chin bar collar. The outer shell includes an interior surface adjacent a lower edge of the outer shell and defines an interior space within a volume defined by the outer shell. The outer shell also includes an open front portion. The chin bar collar includes a chin guard and a collar segment integral with the chin guard. The combination of the chin guard and the collar segment forms a continuous loop. The collar segment is coupled to the interior surface of the outer shell and has a majority of the collar segment within the interior space of the outer shell and a majority of the chin guard outside the interior space of the outer shell.
Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. The outer shell may include at least two coupling points on the interior surface of the outer shell, at least one of the coupling points on each side of the open front portion of the helmet. The chin bar collar may be coupled to the outer shell at the at least two coupling points. The helmet may also include at least one bracket coupled to the interior surface of the outer shell, the chin bar collar mated with the helmet between the interior surface and the at least one bracket. The chin bar collar may comprise a ledge at each of two interfaces of the chin guard and the collar segment, each ledge mated with a leading edge of the outer shell proximate the open front of the helmet. Additionally, the interior surface of the outer shell may comprise at least one of an upper lip and a lower lip, the chin bar collar seated against the at least one of the upper lip and the lower lip. The collar segment may be seated in a recess in the interior surface of the outer shell shaped complementary to the collar segment. The helmet may further comprise at least one inner shell contained within the interior space of the outer shell. A majority of the collar segment may be positioned between the interior surface of the outer shell and the inner shell. Furthermore, the collar segment may be seated in a recess in at least one of the inner shell and the interior surface of the outer shell, and the recess may be shaped complementary to the collar segment. Finally, the collar segment may be releasably coupled to the outer shell.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, a helmet includes an outer shell and a chin bar collar. The outer shell comprises an interior surface defining an interior space within the outer shell, and an open front portion. The chin bar collar includes a chin guard and a collar segment forming an annulus. The collar segment is secured to the interior surface of the outer shell at at least one coupling point on each side of the open front portion of the helmet and at least one other location on the outer shell proximate a rear portion of the outer shell. A majority of the collar segment is positioned within the interior space of the outer shell and a majority of the chin guard is positioned outside the interior space of the outer shell.
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, ¶. 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.
The outer shell 104 has an interior surface 106, an open front portion 112 (for a wearer's face), and a lower edge 116. The outer shell 104 also has two leading edges 124. In the context of the present description, a leading edge 124 of the outer shell 104 refers to at least a portion of an edge of the outer shell 104 that is also part of the boundary of the open front portion 112. In many embodiments, the leading edges 124 are also proximate the lower edge 116 of the outer shell 104.
As shown in
The chin bar collar 102 comprises a collar segment 110 and a chin guard 108, which together form a closed loop, or annulus. In some embodiments, the chin bar collar 102 may be formed as a single piece, while in other embodiments the chin bar collar 102 may be assembled from multiple pieces. As shown in
A helmet, such as helmet 100 of
Advantageously, placing a looped chin bar, such as chin bar collar 102, inside the outer shell 104 of a helmet 100 distributes impact forces across the interior surface 106 of the outer shell 104, rather than across a handful of attachment points on the outside of a conventional helmet. As the chin bar collar 102 bows under the force of an impact, the outer shell 104 provides support along the majority of the collar segment 110. Furthermore, the added support provided by the outer shell 104 to a chin bar collar 102 coupled to the interior surface 106 may allow the helmet 100 to better withstand impacts from the side than conventional helmets with half loop chin bars.
As shown in
As shown in the non-limiting examples of
In other embodiments, a coupling point 118 may refer to a range of the collar segment 110 that is coupled to the interior surface 106 along the entire length, rather than at a discrete point. One example is the use of an adhesive along a range of the collar segment 110. Another example is a non-limiting embodiment of an upper lip 126 and a lower lip 128 which have captured the collar segment 110 along a range. The upper lip 126 and lower lip 128 will be discussed further with respect to
In various embodiments, a coupling point 118 may be releasable, allowing a user to remove the chin bar collar 102 from the helmet 100 when it is not needed, increasing ventilation and decreasing helmet weight. In some embodiments, such a coupling may require the use of a tool, like a wrench, to decouple. In other embodiments, a releasable coupling point may be actuated without tools. Examples include, but are not limited to, magnets, buckles, clips, biased latches, and snaps.
Chin bars in conventional helmets are often attached to the outer shell at numerous locations, as those attachment points must bear impact forces exerted on the chin bar. A chin bar collar 102 coupled to the interior surface 106 of the outer shell 104 of a helmet 100 is bolstered by the outer shell 104, as previously discussed, reducing the needed number and/or strength of coupling points 118. Reducing the number of coupling points 118 is advantageous, as it may simplify the manufacturing of the helmet 100. Furthermore, in embodiments where the chin bar collar 102 is releasably coupled to the interior surface 106, fewer coupling points 118 may mean easier operation.
In one or more embodiments, a bracket 120 secures (e.g. limits the movement of or supports) at least one surface of the collar segment 110 of a chin bar collar 102 to the interior surface 106 of the outer shell 104. The bracket 120 itself is coupled to the interior surface 106 of the outer shell 104. In more particular embodiments, such as the non-limiting embodiments depicted in
In some embodiments, including the non-limiting embodiments shown in
The brackets 120 are coupled to the interior surface 106 of the outer shell 104. In some embodiments, a bracket 120 may be formed as a part of the outer shell 104. For example, an outer shell 104 and one or more brackets 120 may be created together as a single piece of material through injection molding, or other techniques known in the art. In other embodiments, a bracket 120 may be coupled to the outer shell 104 after creation, whether directly attached to the interior surface 106, or coupled through some other material or object.
In various embodiments, the interior surface 106 of the outer shell 104 of a helmet 100 may be shaped to further secure the collar segment 110 of the chin bar collar 102. For example, some embodiments, including the non-limiting examples shown in
In some embodiments, including the non-limiting examples shown in
Helmets are often constructed with more than one shell or layer. For example, some helmets have a hard outer shell made of a durable material that wears well, and a softer inner shell made of energy absorbing materials. The non-limiting embodiments of a helmet 100 with a chin bar collar 102 shown in
Many of the features described with respect to the interior surface 106 of an outer shell 104 may also be implemented with an inner shell 400, according to various embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the inner shell 400 may comprise a lower lip 128 against which the collar segment 110 is seated.
In various embodiments, an inner shell 400 and/or the interior surface 106 of an outer shell may be recessed, such that the collar segment 110 may be seated within. See, for example, the non-limiting example shown in
The helmets described herein may include any shells, layers, energy management material, and the like known in the art for helmets. The chin bar collar may comprise any materials known in the art for chin bars. In some embodiments, the chin bar collar 102 may be formed as a single piece of material. In other embodiments, the chin bar collar 102 may include additional parts for use in conjunction with coupling points 118 and the like. The coupling points 118, brackets 120, and lips may comprise any materials known in the art for helmets and helmet fasteners.
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 manufacturing devices and examples could be intermixed or substituted with those provided. In places where the description above refers to particular embodiments of helmets, 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 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 62/245,775, filed Oct. 23, 2015 titled “Helmet Having a Looped Chin Bar,” the entirety of the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by this reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62245775 | Oct 2015 | US |
