Patent Application
20240365907
The technical field generally relates to a protective helmet adapted for use in various activities and sports such as skydiving and motorcycling, and more specifically relates to a protective helmet having a release mechanism to selectively disconnect a helmet accessory.
Historically, practitioners of the skydiving sport (or any other sports requiring the use of a helmet) tend to allocate more importance to comfort and style. However, since the release of full-face skydiving helmets in the early 1990s, drop zones and skydiving centers have been setting prerequisites relating to the gear (e.g., helmets) that the athletes/jumpers are using.
Skydiving helmets can now be provided with mechanisms and systems to improve safety of the users. However, there is still room for improvement so that these mechanisms can be easily manipulated by the users, while still being able to maintain their efficiency throughout the helmet's useful life.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a helmet is provided. The helmet includes a helmet shell and a fastening assembly. The fastening assembly has a mounting fixture comprising a latch portion operable between a connected configuration, where the latch portion is connected to the helmet shell and secures the mounting fixture to the helmet shell, and a disconnected configuration, where the latch portion is disconnected from the helmet shell and enables disconnection of the mounting fixture from the helmet shell. The fastening assembly also has a release mechanism adapted to engage the mounting fixture to operate the latch portion in the connected configuration, the release mechanism being selectively operable to disengage the latch portion thereby operating the latch portion from the connected configuration to the disconnected configuration.
According to a possible embodiment, the mounting fixture comprises a coupling portion connectable to an accessory such that securing the mounting fixture to the helmet shell also secures the accessory to the helmet shell, and wherein operating the release mechanism enables disconnection of the mounting fixture and the accessory from the helmet.
According to a possible embodiment, the accessory is a camera.
According to a possible embodiment, the helmet comprises a visor, and the helmet shell comprises a front opening adapted to be covered by the visor, and wherein the helmet shell further comprises a fixture opening defined through the helmet shell, the fixture opening being shaped and sized to enable the latch portion to extend therethrough and connect to the helmet shell.
According to a possible embodiment, the fixture opening is defined in a top portion of the helmet.
According to a possible embodiment, the fixture opening comprises an opening perimeter defining a latching edge, and wherein the latch portion is adapted to connect to the latching edge when operated in the connected configuration.
According to a possible embodiment, the latch portion comprises a pair of latching legs adapted to extend within the fixture opening, and wherein each latching leg comprises a latching foot extending therefrom at a distal end of the latching leg, the latching foot being adapted to extend from the latching leg into the helmet shell and hook onto respective sections of the latching edge.
According to a possible embodiment, the latching legs are elongate and extend along at least 50% of a length of the respective sections one of the latching edge.
According to a possible embodiment, the latching legs are provided opposite one another and define a central passage therebetween, and wherein the release mechanism comprises a strap shaped and adapted to engage the central passage and displace the latching legs to position each latching foot below the latching edge for hooking thereonto.
According to a possible embodiment, the central passage has a passage width, and the strap has a strap width, the strap width being greater than the passage width such that the strap is adapted to push the latching legs outwardly away from one another when engaging the central passage.
According to a possible embodiment, the latching legs are adapted to bias each latching foot inwardly towards one another, and wherein disengaging the strap from the central passage enables the latching feet to move inwardly away from the latching edge and disconnect from the helmet shell.
According to a possible embodiment, the strap comprises a distal end having an end width, the end width being smaller than the passage width to facilitate engagement of the strap within the central passage.
According to a possible embodiment, each latching foot comprises an outer protrusion shaped and adapted to extend below the helmet shell and hook onto the respective sections of the latching edge, and further comprises an inner protrusion shaped and adapted to extend below the strap to facilitate engagement of the strap and support the strap through the central passage.
According to a possible embodiment, the mounting fixture comprises a strap guide extending within the central passage for guiding the strap between the latching legs and along the inner protrusions.
According to a possible embodiment, the strap guide comprises one or more support members, and wherein engagement of the strap within the central passage biases the one or more support members downwardly and against the strap to at least partially secure the strap between the support members and the inner protrusions.
According to a possible embodiment, the inner protrusions of opposite latching feet extend towards one another by between about 5% and about 50% of the strap width.
According to a possible embodiment, the release mechanism comprises a handle connected to the strap, the handle being positioned proximate a bottom portion of the helmet shell and accessible from an exterior of the helmet shell, and wherein pulling the handle disengages the strap from the central passage to operate the latch portion in the disconnected configuration.
According to a possible embodiment, the handle comprises a tab extending therefrom, and wherein the helmet shell comprises a tab slot defined in a thickness of the helmet shell and opening proximate the bottom portion, the tab being adapted to engage the tab slot when engaging the strap with the latch portion.
According to a possible embodiment, the helmet shell comprises a strap channel defined along an inner surface of the helmet shell, the strap channel extending from the bottom portion of the helmet to proximate the fixture opening, and wherein the strap is adapted to slide along the strap channel prior to engaging the latch portion.
According to a possible embodiment, the helmet further includes a foam liner provided within the helmet shell, and wherein the strap is adapted to slide along the strap channel between the foam liner and the helmet shell.
According to a possible embodiment, the foam liner comprises a strap passage defined along an outer surface thereof and facing the helmet shell, the strap passage extending from the bottom portion of the helmet to proximate the fixture opening, and wherein the strap is adapted to slide along the strap passage prior to engaging the latch portion.
According to a possible embodiment, the fastening assembly comprises a visual indicator adapted to provide visual indication of the engagement of the strap with the latch portion from an exterior of the helmet.
According to a possible embodiment, mounting fixture comprises a fixture plate adapted to abut against the helmet shell, and wherein the visual indicator comprises a hole defined through the fixture plate adjacent the coupling portion and aligned with the central passage such that the strap covers the hole when engaged with the latch portion.
According to a possible embodiment, the helmet further comprises a mounting plate removably connected to the top portion of the helmet shell, the mounting plate comprising the fixture opening.
According to a possible embodiment, the helmet comprises a plurality of mounting plates, wherein each mounting plate comprises respective fixture openings having different shapes, sizes or configurations.
According to a possible embodiment, the helmet is configured to have a single mounting plate connected thereto at any given time.
According to another aspect, a helmet is provided, which includes a helmet shell and a fastening assembly. The fastening assembly includes a mounting fixture releasably connected to the helmet shell and a release mechanism operatively connectable to the mounting fixture, where connection of the release mechanism to the mounting fixture secures the mounting fixture to the helmet shell, and disconnection of the release mechanism from the mounting fixture enables disconnection of the mounting fixture from the helmet shell.
According to another aspect, a fastening assembly for connecting an accessory to a helmet is provided. The fastening assembly includes a mounting fixture comprising a latch portion operable between a connected configuration, where the latch portion is connected to the helmet and secures the mounting fixture to the helmet, and a disconnected configuration, where the latch portion is disconnected from the helmet and enables disconnection of the mounting fixture from the helmet; and a release mechanism adapted to engage the latch portion and operate the latch portion in the connected configuration, the release mechanism being selectively operable to disengage the latch portion thereby operating the latch portion from the connected configuration to the disconnected configuration.
As will be explained below in relation to various implementations, the present disclosure describes apparatuses, systems and methods for enabling disconnection of one or more parts of a helmet during a given activity, such as disconnecting a helmet-mounted camera while skydiving, for example.
The present disclosure thus relates to a skydiving helmet provided with an accessory, such as a camera mount for having a camera coupled thereto. As will be described below, the helmet can include a fastening system configured to maintain the accessory secured to the helmet. The fastening system is selectively operable to disconnect the accessory from the helmet when required and/or desired. The fastening system can be conveniently operated from an exterior of the helmet to facilitate access thereto and disconnection of the accessory. For instance, during a skydiving exercise, a deployed parachute can become entangled around the camera mounted on the helmet. The user can therefore operate the fastening system to disconnect the camera from the helmet, thereby releasing the entangled parachute and allowing the reserve parachute to be subsequently deployed, for example.
The helmet and corresponding components can be operated for the disconnection and/or ejection of an accessory attached thereto. The fastening system can include a mounting fixture and a release mechanism. The mounting fixture is adapted to have an accessory connected thereto, and can be affixed to the helmet, and secured at a desired location via engagement with the release mechanism. The release mechanism can include an inner component (e.g., adapted to be positioned at least partially within the helmet) adapted to engage both the mounting fixture and an inner surface of the helmet to secure the mounting fixture to the helmet. The release mechanism further includes an outer component (e.g., adapted to be positioned at least partially outside and/or around the helmet) operatively connected to the inner component and being operable to disconnect the inner component from the mounting fixture, thereby releasing the mounting fixture, and the accessory connected thereto, from the helmet.
Operation of the release mechanism includes disconnection of the mounting fixture from the helmet, and can further include jettisoning the mounting fixture, and thus the accessory, from the helmet. The accessory can therefore be forcefully launched from the helmet once disconnected, for example, via springs, to facilitate the disconnection and separation of the mounting fixture from the helmet. The jettisoning feature can be particularly useful in emergency situations such as when a parachute becomes entangled in the mounting fixture, as described above. In other implementations, the mounting fixture can be simply disconnected from the helmet for maintenance, for recovery of the accessory, for coupling a different accessory to the helmet, among other possible uses.
It is noted that the various implementations of the helmet described herein can be used for various activities and for various applications such as skydiving and driving vehicles, for example, motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs and UTVs, or any other activities requiring a helmet. The helmet includes a helmet shell which can be modified to accommodate the fastening system. For example, an opening can be defined through the helmet shell to enable the mounting fixture to extend through the opening to position a portion thereof within the helmet shell to be coupled thereto. Alternatively, the helmet shell can include a removable plate which, when installed, defines a standard and “full” helmet shell (e.g., a dome shape helmet shell with no additional openings). The plate can be removed and/or replaced with the fastening system and corresponding components such that the helmet can be worn as a standard helmet, and modulated into a helmet with the fastening system, as required.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the fastening assembly 20 includes a mounting fixture 30 and a release mechanism 60. The mounting fixture 30 is adapted to hold the accessory (e.g., the accessory is shaped and adapted to be coupled to the mounting fixture 30), and is removably connectable to the helmet shell 12. The release mechanism 60 is operatively connected to the mounting fixture 30 and is operable to selectively disconnect the mounting fixture 30 from the helmet shell 12. As will be further described below, the mounting fixture 30 is secured to the helmet shell 12 when the release mechanism 60 is engaged therewith, and is adapted to be removed from the helmet when the release mechanism 60 is disengaged. Alternatively, the mounting fixture 30 can be secured to the helmet shell 12 via any other suitable mechanism (e.g., other than being engaged by the release mechanism 60) and is adapted to be disconnected upon operation of the release mechanism.
With reference to
With reference to
The latch portion 32 illustratively extends downwardly below the fixture plate 36 such that a section thereof can extend within the fixture opening 35 and the helmet shell 12 when the fixture plate abuts against the top portion. The portion of the latch portion 32 which extends within the helmet shell is adapted to cooperate with the latching edge 39 in order to secure the mounting fixture to the helmet. In some embodiments, the helmet shell 12 includes an inset region 17 (also seen in
In some embodiments, the latch portion 32 includes one or more latching legs 38 adapted to extend within the fixture opening 35 and connect to (e.g., latch onto) the latching edge 39 of the opening 35. In some embodiments, each latching leg 38 includes a latching foot 40 extending at a distal end thereof at an angle so as to engage the latching edge 39 (e.g., the downwardly extending elements). Each latching foot 40 can have an outer protrusion 42 shaped and adapted to complement the latching edge and enable the latching foot 40 to hook onto respective sections of the latching edge 39. In this embodiment, the latch portion 32 includes a pair of latching legs 38 provided opposite one another and are adapted to connect to opposite sides of the fixture opening 35. In particular, the latching legs 38 connect to opposite sections of the latching edge 39 via respective latching feet 40. As illustrated in
Now referring to
Referring broadly to
In this embodiment, the release mechanism 60 includes a strap 62, shaped and adapted to engage the latch portion 32 for operating the latch portion from the disconnected configuration to the connected configuration. In some embodiments, operating the release mechanism 60 can include removing the strap 62 from latch portion 32 to enable the mounting fixture 30 to disconnect from the helmet 12, and therefore enable removal of the accessory. In this embodiment, when in the disconnected configuration, the latching legs 38 can be adapted to extend downwardly and at an angle toward one another. As such, the latching feet 40 are spaced from the latching edge 39 to prevent having the mounting fixture 30 be secured to the helmet when in the disconnected configuration.
The strap 62 is adapted to engage the central passage 45 defined between the latching legs 38 of the latch portion 32, and is shaped and sized to push the latching legs 38 outwardly away from one another to have the latching feet 40 latch onto respective sections of the latching edge 39. As illustrated in
It should thus be noted that having the strap 62 engage the central passage 45 pushes against the legs to latch onto the latching edge 39, and that removing the strap from the central passage 45 allows the latching legs 38 to revert to their initial position (i.e., with the latching feet being spaced from the latching edge 39). As seen in
The mounting fixture 30 can further include a strap guide 50 provided between the latching legs 38 for guiding the strap 62 along the central passage 45. As seen in
In some embodiments, the strap guide 50 is adapted to provide a downward force on the strap 62, thereby compressing the strap 62 between the guide members 52 and the inner protrusions 44 of the latching feet 40. In this embodiment, the latching legs 38 and the guide members 52 are cooperatively coupled such that moving the latching legs 38 away from one another (e.g., when engaging the strap 62 within the central passage 45) biases the guide members 52 downwardly towards the strap 62 to at least partially secure the strap between the support members 52 and the inner protrusions 44. The guide members 52 can include one or more strips of material extending downwardly from the top surface of the mounting fixture (e.g., three strips are shown in the illustrated embodiment of
With reference to
In some embodiments, the strap 62 corresponds to an internal element of the release mechanism 60 and the handle 70 corresponds to an external element of the release mechanism. As such, the strap 62 can be completely hidden within the helmet shell 12 when engaged with the mounting fixture 30, as seen in
The strap channel 80 can be entirely defined along the inner surface of the helmet shell 12 to completely conceal the strap within the helmet, for example. A helmet liner, or general padding (e.g., foam), can be provided along the inner surface of the helmet to at least partially cover the strap channel 80 and help maintain the strap 62 within the strap channel. In other embodiments, the strap channel 80 can be defined along the liner of the helmet instead of along the inner surface of the helmet. Alternatively, both the inner surface of the helmet and the outer surface of the liner can be provided with respective strap channels configured to cooperate to receive the strap therein.
In yet other embodiments, the strap channel can be defined in a thickness of the helmet shell 12, with the inlet being defined proximate the bottom portion, and an outlet of the strap channel being defined proximate the top portion where the mounting fixture is positioned. Alternatively, the strap channel can have an exterior portion defined on an outer surface of the helmet shell, with the inlet of the strap channel being defined at the end of the exterior portion to transition to an internal portion which is aligned with the central passage. The handle can remain positioned proximate the bottom portion of the helmet, or can alternatively be positioned proximate the inlet of the strap channel, which can be defined at any suitable location on the helmet shell.
Referring to
With reference to
Referring back to
As may now be better appreciated, the helmet 10 of the present disclosure can be advantageous in that it provides a helmet with a fastening assembly for an accessory capable of being disconnected from the helmet in a more efficient, more precise, more accurate, more reliable, more adjustable, more versatile, more adaptable, more ergonomic and/or more desirable manner, than what is possible with other existing conventional devices. The fastening assembly provides a rigid, or semi-rigid, “push to lock” system, where the strap can be slid along the snag-free channel leading to the mounting fixture installed at the top of the helmet.
It should be appreciated from the present disclosure that the various implementations of the helmet and related components (e.g., the fastening assembly) enable the user to attach an accessory (e.g., a camera) on a helmet easily and safely, and simply pull a lever on the lower ridge of the helmet to disconnect the camera when desired/required, such as in the event of an entanglement to the parachute, or anything else near the helmet. The helmet also allows for easier camera maintenance (e.g., recharge, download images, etc.) by quickly releasing the camera from the helmet and then reattaching it back as simply.
The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the subject matter of the claims. The described example implementations are to be considered in all respects as being only illustrative and not restrictive. For example, in the implementations described herein, the strap of the release mechanism is described and shown as a generally flat strip of material. However, and with reference to
The present disclosure intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology. The scope of the present disclosure is, therefore, described by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the implementations set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
As used herein, the terms “coupled”, “coupling”, “attached”, “connected” or variants thereof as used herein can have several different meanings depending in the context in which these terms are used. For example, the terms coupled, coupling, connected or attached can have a mechanical connotation. For example, as used herein, the terms coupled, coupling or attached can indicate that two elements or devices are directly connected to one another or connected to one another through one or more intermediate elements or devices via a mechanical element depending on the particular context.
In the present disclosure, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the helmet, and corresponding parts. The various appearances of “one embodiment,” “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments. Although various features may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the helmet may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, it may also be implemented in a single embodiment. Reference in the specification to “some embodiments”, “an embodiment”, “one embodiment”, or “other embodiments”, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily in all embodiments.
In the above description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several references numbers, not all figures contain references to all the components and features, and references to some components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and features of the present disclosure which are illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The implementations, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures are optional, and are given for exemplification purposes only.
In addition, although the optional configurations as illustrated in the accompanying drawings include various components and although the optional configurations of the helmet as shown may consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense, i.e., should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that other suitable components and cooperations thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the implementation and use of the helmet, and corresponding parts, as briefly explained and as can be easily inferred herefrom, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/970,940, filed Oct. 21, 2022, which application claims priority under 35USC § 119 (e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/262,886, filed on Oct. 22, 2021, entitled “HELMET PROVIDED WITH AN ACCESSORY FASTENING ASSEMBLY”, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63262886 | Oct 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17970940 | Oct 2022 | US |
| Child | 18773042 | US |
