Patent Grant
7886370
1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to protective sporting equipment, and more particularly to chin pad assemblies for helmets and their method of construction.
2. Related Art
In contact or otherwise aggressive, high impact sports, such as lacrosse, hockey, or football, for example, where sticks and hard hitting and high impact forces are essential elements of the sport, a participant's head is especially vulnerable to injury when being checked or otherwise impacted by another participant's stick or helmet, or experiencing relatively high impact forces, such as from hitting the ground. For this reason, participants typically utilize helmets to protect their heads.
To facilitate maintaining the helmet on the wearer's head, a strap is commonly used. The straps are typically attached at free ends to the helmet, such as via snaps, and loop beneath the wearer's chin. The straps commonly have a chin pad formed thereon or attached thereto to provide further protection to the wearer's chin. Chin pad assemblies are known to include a hard outer shell and a softer inner pad material. The hard outer shell helps reduce abrasion and impact forces, while the soft inner shell helps to provide comfort and cushions the impact forces to the user's chin. The inner pad material is commonly secured to the outer shell via a stitching or an adhesive. It is also known to secure the shell and inner pad in attached relation to one another by looping the straps through aligned openings adjacent opposite ends of the shell and the inner pad. It has also been suggested that Velcro® be applied to the surfaces of both the outer shell and the inner pad to provide their attachment to one another.
Due to the nature of the sports requiring head and chin protection, the protective gear, including the chin pad assemblies, become worn and dirty. This results generally from the hard hitting nature of the sports and the dirt and perspiration encountered during play. As such, it becomes desirable to replace the old gear, including the chin straps with chin pad assemblies, for new gear. Unfortunately, replacing a helmet and/or chin straps and chin pad assemblies can be costly. Even where a chin pad assembly has a chin pad attached to an outer shell via application of Velcro® applied to the confronting surfaces of both the outer shell and inner pad, the Velcro® can become worn due to shear force generated across the hooks and loops, thereby requiring the entire chin strap and chin pad assembly to be replaced. Accordingly, although the chin straps or hard outer shell may otherwise be useful, it may become necessary to replace them along with the chin pads.
A chin pad assembly has an outer shell of plastics material with straps attached thereto and an inner cushion member attached to the outer shell independently of the straps. The outer shell has a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface providing a pocket for receipt of the inner cushion member. The outer shell further has a pair of openings to facilitate attachment of the inner cushion member thereto. The inner cushion member has a convex outer surface received in the pocket of the outer shell and a concave inner surface providing a pocket to receive a wearer's chin. An attachment mechanism provides a pair of elongate members extending from the outer surface of the cushion member. Each of the elongate members is received through a separate one of the openings in the outer shell and coupled outwardly from the convex outer surface of the outer shell to releasably attach the inner cushion member to the outer shell independently of the straps.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of constructing a chin pad assembly. The method includes providing a rigid outer shell of plastics material having a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface, providing a pocket and attaching a pair of straps configured for attachment to a helmet to opposite ends of the outer shell. Further, the method includes providing an inner cushion member having a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface, providing a pocket for a wearer's chin and extending a pair of elongate members from the outer surface of the cushion member. Then, the method includes disposing the outer convex surface of the inner cushion member in the pocket of the outer shell and coupling the elongate members outwardly from the convex outer surface of the outer shell to releasably attach the inner cushion member to the outer shell independently of the straps.
These and other aspects, features and advantages of flexible shielding for protective sporting equipment and protective sporting equipment therewith will become more readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art when considered in connection with the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments and best mode, appended claims and accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring in more detail to the drawings,
The chin pad 14 is attached to the outer shell 12 separately from the chin straps 16 in a manner that allows the chin pad 14 to be readily removed from the outer shell 12, while being assured of the outer shell 12 remaining secured to a helmet for use. Accordingly, the chin pad 14 can be readily removed, when desired, from the outer shell 12 to enable replacement of the chin pad 14 without having to replace other components of the assembly 10, such as may be desired if the chin pad 14 becomes worn or dirty, such as from perspiration. Otherwise, the chin pad 14 remains reliably attached to the outer shell 12 in use without concern of its becoming inadvertently detached from the outer shell 12.
The outer shell 12 is constructed from a relatively high strength, hard material, such as polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), PC/ABS compounds, styrene and/or high impact styrene (HIPS), nylon 6 and/or 6,6 (PA6, PA66), polyethylene (PE), copolyester, propionate, and acetal (POM), for example. The outer shell 12 has a substantially convex outer surface 24 (
The outer shell 12 has a pair of through openings, represented here, by way of example, as slots 30 spaced laterally from one another and equidistantly from the opposite ends 20 of the shell 12. In addition, the outer shell 12 has a pair of through openings 32 located between the respective slots 30 and opposite ends 20. The openings 32 are sized to receive the ends 18 of the straps 16 to facilitate attachment of the straps 16 to the outer shell 12. Further, the outer shell 12 can have a plurality of through openings or vents 34. The vents 34 are represented here, by way of example and without limitation, as including three vents adjacent the upper edge 27 and a pair of vents 34 adjacent the lower edge 29, with two additional vents 34 located between the slots 30. It should be recognized that the size, shape, location and number of the vents 34 can be varied, as desired.
The chin pad 14 is constructed of a generally rigid and resilient material, or combination of materials, such as a foam material, rubber material, or combination thereof, and can have an outer layer of textile material or combination of materials thereover, such as a woven cloth material, e.g., Lycra and/or Vaportek, for example, as desired. The material(s) used can be laminated as desired to provide a desired finish thickness. The lamination can be performed by using a suitable adhesive between the layers, particularly about an outer periphery 36 of the chin pad 14. Of course, the layers could be stitched about the outer periphery 36, or otherwise attached to one another, as desired.
The chin pad 14 has a substantially convex outer surface 38 and a substantially concave inner surface 39 extending along upper and lower edges 41, 43 between the opposite ends 40. The upper and lower edges 41, 43 are generally shaped similar to the upper and lower edges 27, 29 of the outer shell 12, and thus, are arcuate and have a substantially uniform radius of curvature configured to follow the general shape of the wearer's chin. The convex shape of the outer surface 38 is shaped generally the same as the inner surface 26 of the outer shell 12. As such, the outer surface 38 of the chin pad 14 generally abuts the inner surface of the outer shell 12 upon assembly. To facilitate conforming of the outer surface 38 with the inner surface 26, the outer surface can be fabricated at least in part from Lycra, as noted above. The concave inner surface 39 is generally shaped to provide a cup-shaped pocket configured to receive the wearer's chin therein. The inner surface 39 can be fabricated using Vaportek, as noted above, to facilitate absorption of perspiration, although others suitable materials could be used.
The chin pad 14 has an attachment mechanism 44 for securing the chin pad 14 to the outer shell 12 independently from the straps 16. The attachment mechanism 44 includes elongate members, also referred to as straps 46, 48, extending outwardly from the convex outer surface 38 to free ends 47, 49. The straps 46, 48 are sized for receipt through the openings or slots 30 in the outer shell 12 upon disposing the chin pad 14 within the pocket 28 of the outer shell 12. Upon disposing the chin pad 14 in the pocket 28 and the straps 46, 48 through the slots 30, the free ends 47, 49 can be secured or coupled to one another externally or outwardly from the outer surface 24 of the outer shell 12 to prevent inadvertent removal of the chin pad 14 from the outer shell 12.
To facilitate securing or coupling the free ends 47, 49 of the straps 46, 48 to one another, a fastener can be attached to the straps 46, 48, wherein the fastener is shown here, by way of example and without limitation, as a hook and loop fastener, with hooks 50 being attached to one strap 48 and loops 52 being attached to the other strap 46 adjacent their respective ends 47, 49. As such, upon feeding the straps through the openings 32, the regions of the straps 46, 48 adjacent the free ends 47, 49 can be pressed together in overlapping relation to one another to bring the hooks 50 and loops 52 into fastening engagement with one another. Of course, it should be recognized that other fastening mechanisms could be attached adjacent the free ends 47, 49, such as snaps, for example. Otherwise, the free ends 47, 49 could be provided with strings that could be tied to one another. Regardless of the attachment mechanism selected, the chin pad 14 is reliably secured to the outer shell 12 without directly adhering the chin pad 14 to the outer shell 12. As such, there are no substantial shear forces exerted across the attachment mechanism 44, as with other known mechanisms which use fasteners attached to both the chin pad and outer shell.
The straps 46, 48 of the attachment mechanism 44 can be provided as separate pieces of material attached individually to the chin pad 14, or as a single piece of material. If provided as a single piece of material, a passage or pocket 54 can be formed through the chin pad 14 such that the pocket 54 extends between the outer and inner surfaces 38, 39 to opposite openings 56 exiting the outer surface 38. The single strap member can then be fed through the pocket 54, or it could be introduced within the pocket 54 during a lamination process used to construct the chin pad 14. With the straps 46, 48 being provided as a single piece member, and being attached or coupled to the chin pad 14 without the assistance of secondary fastening mechanisms, the manufacturing process is simplified and made economical. Further, with the straps 46, 48 being constructed as a single piece of material slideably received in the pocket 54, it is possible to replace the single piece straps 46, 48 should they become worn. This is facilitated by the ability to slide the old strap out of the pocket 54 and reintroducing a new strap through the pocket 54. It should be recognized that a strap of a single piece of material could otherwise be attached to the chin pad 14, such as by being adhered or stitched to the outer surface 38, if desired.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of constructing the chin pad assembly 10 is provided. The method includes providing a rigid outer shell 12 of plastics material having a convex outer surface 24 and a concave inner surface 26 providing a pocket 28 and attaching a pair of straps 16 configured for attachment to a helmet to opposite ends 20 of the outer shell. Further, providing an inner cushion member or pad 14 having a convex outer surface 38 and a concave inner surface 39 providing a pocket for a wearer's chin and extending a pair of elongate members 46, 48 from the outer surface 38 of the cushion member 14. Then, disposing the outer convex surface 38 of the inner cushion member 14 in the pocket 28 of the outer shell 12 and coupling the elongate members 46, 48 outwardly from the convex outer surface 24 of the outer shell 12 to releasably attach the inner cushion member 14 to the outer shell 12 independently of the straps 16.
The method can further include forming a pair of openings 30 through the outer and inner surfaces 24, 26 of the outer shell 12 and extending the elongate members 46, 48 through the openings 30 while disposing the inner cushion member 14 in the pocket 28. Further yet, the method can include forming the elongate members 46, 48 as a single piece attachment mechanism or member 44. In addition, the method can include forming a passage 54 extending between the outer and inner surfaces 38, 39 of the cushion member 14 with the passage 54 exiting the outer surface 38 of the cushion member 14 and disposing the single piece member 44 through the passage 54. Accordingly, if under any circumstances the attachment mechanism 44 becomes damaged or simply worn, it can be readily removed from the cushion member 14 by sliding it out of the passage 54 and replaced with a new attachment mechanism 44.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, the method of construction can include additional steps in accordance with attaining the various aspects of the chin strap assembly structure discussed above. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/001,199, filed Oct. 31, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2867811 | Jones | Jan 1959 | A |
| 3106716 | Beebe | Oct 1963 | A |
| 3572329 | De Woskin | Mar 1971 | A |
| 3619813 | Marchello | Nov 1971 | A |
| 3682164 | Miller | Aug 1972 | A |
| 3886596 | Franklin et al. | Jun 1975 | A |
| 4028743 | Christensen | Jun 1977 | A |
| 5027479 | Scheffczyk | Jul 1991 | A |
| 5206955 | Milligan | May 1993 | A |
| 5267353 | Milligan | Dec 1993 | A |
| 5271103 | Darnell | Dec 1993 | A |
| 5555567 | Corpus | Sep 1996 | A |
| 5555584 | Moore et al. | Sep 1996 | A |
| 5737777 | Hilleary | Apr 1998 | A |
| 5794274 | Kraemer | Aug 1998 | A |
| 6081932 | Kraemer | Jul 2000 | A |
| 6298483 | Schiebl et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6324701 | Alexander | Dec 2001 | B1 |
| 6381760 | Lampe et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6453476 | Moore, III | Sep 2002 | B1 |
| 6481024 | Grant | Nov 2002 | B1 |
| 6588022 | Anders et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
| 6772447 | Morrow et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
| 6865752 | Udelhofen et al. | Mar 2005 | B2 |
| 6883183 | Morrow et al. | Apr 2005 | B2 |
| 7036151 | Ide et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
| 7062795 | Skiba et al. | Jun 2006 | B2 |
| D526449 | Dawson et al. | Aug 2006 | S |
| D526746 | Wong | Aug 2006 | S |
| 7146652 | Ide et al. | Dec 2006 | B2 |
| 7152253 | Abelman et al. | Dec 2006 | B2 |
| 7240376 | Ide et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
| D606707 | Schiebl | Dec 2009 | S |
| 20040003452 | Schiebl | Jan 2004 | A1 |
| 20050102737 | Worthing | May 2005 | A1 |
| 20070124842 | Nascimento et al. | Jun 2007 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1354719 | May 1974 | GB |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20090107514 A1 | Apr 2009 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61001199 | Oct 2007 | US |
