HEATH, Glyn, Harvey (12 Walton Drive, Walmersley, Bury B19 5JU, GB)
BUSH, Jane (Ground Floor, 30 Hodford Road, London NW11 8NN, GB)
HEATH, Glyn, Harvey (12 Walton Drive, Walmersley, Bury B19 5JU, GB)
Claims
1 A protective headgear comprising: a skull-protecting shell, and a retention assembly, the retention assembly having a closing member, wherein the closing member self-releases under a predetermined force.
2 A protective headgear according to claim 1 wherein the skull-protecting shell is formed from continuous sheets of laminated material, with ventilation holes formed therein.
3 A protective headgear according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the closing member self-releases at a specified force in order to avoid entrapment of a wearer by the headgear/helmet.
4 A protective headgear according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the self- releasing closing member comprises a reusable buckle.
5 A protective headgear according to any preceding claim wherein the closing member is located, at the side of a wearer's head, when the headgear is in use.
6 A protective headgear according to any preceding claim wherein the closing member is child-resistant.
7 A protective headgear according to any preceding claim wherein the closing member self-releases when subjected to a force that is less than 27.5 Newtons.
8 A protective headgear according to any preceding claim wherein the closing member has a strap and an integrated strap joining component connecting the strap to the shell. A protective headgear according to claim 8 wherein the strap has four points of insertion and a single strap is arranged directly below a point of strap union, so that the strap union, in use, is located below a wearer's ear.
A protective headgear according to any preceding claim including impact absorbing and cushioning pads, adapted to be located on an interior surface of the interior of the shell.
A protective headgear according to Claim 10 wherein the impact absorbing and cushioning pads are removable.
A protective headgear according to Claim 10 or 11 wherein the impact absorbing and cushioning pads are of different thickness.
A protective headgear according to Claim 12 wherein the impact absorbing and cushioning pads are: 3 mm, 6 mm and 10 mm thick.
A protective headgear according to any preceding claim wherein the retention assembly is attached to the shell with ratchet fastener rivets.
A protective headgear according to Claim 14 wherein the rivets are formed from nylon and are received in countersunk holes in the shell.
A protective headgear according to any preceding claim wherein the shell has an outer layer of relatively dense material and an inner layer of less dense material.
A protective headgear substantially as hereinbefore described, and with reference to the drawings. |
PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR
Background
This invention relates to the field of protective headgear, and more particularly to protective headgear or helmets for use by young children.
Prior Art
Young children are typically not sure-footed, but are keen to explore their environment. When learning to walk, toddlers frequently fall over or collide with furniture, etc., causing bruising, skin abrasions or more serious injury. It is important to protect the heads of children, particularly the anterior fontanelle, the frontal and lateral aspects, the temple areas and the occipital region, from impacts sustained when falling against the floor, doors or onto furniture such as tables, chairs, steps, architraves and skirting boards.
Protective helmets of many types are in use by cyclists, racing car drivers and construction workers, among others. Some currently available protective headgear devices lack sufficient protective surface area cover of the head. Small children capable of walking or running are particularly vulnerable to falls against table corners and other hard, pointed surfaces. The headgear described in Canadian Patent Application CA-A-2121271, for example, comprises a band of padding around the circumference of the head and two bands arranged in cruciform over the crown of the head. These devices expose the wearer to the risk of penetration injuries from objects such as sharp corners penetrating between the bands of the headgear.
US Patent US-B-3 478 365 provides a protective helmet for babies, which utilises a mouth and chin guard to hold the helmet in place during use. Even though ventilation holes are provided in the mouth guard, the guard will quickly steam up due to the baby's breath condensing on the cooler guard surface. This
will cause considerable discomfort to the child. The mouth guard also restricts movement of the child's jaw and few children would be happy with such a restraint. Furthermore, should the child fall on its chin, the guard may be compressed against the mouth of the child or be forced up under the nose, potentially causing serious injury.
Other helmets are provided with a chin strap. An important issue with such headgear retention straps is the possibility of entrapment, where the headgear is caught on a protruding object and the retention strap throttles the wearer.
Protective caps without chin straps in order to avoid entrapment have been disclosed, as in UK Patent Application GB-A- 2 336 759. However, such headgear must of necessity fit tightly around the wearer's head in order to remain in place. As bones of a toddler's skull remain unfused (the fontanelle), many parents would be reluctant to place anything tight on a very young child's heεid, even if it was provided with elastic means. In addition, without straps to hold the headgear on, toddlers may be inclined and able to pull such headgear off.
US Patent US-B-6 240 570 discloses the use of a chin strap having Velcro™ for easy fastening and unfastening. While this may enable an adult to unfasten the chin strap, it may not allow the self-release of the chin strap in cases of entrapment. While it is possible to easily unfasten hook and loop fastenings such as Velcro™ by applying a component of force perpendicular to the major surface of the fastening strip by pulling the two parts away from each other, it can be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to separate the hooks from the loops when only applying a force component in the direction parallel to the major surface. Also two part connectors, such as hook and loop fastenings, tend to trap fluff and other foreign bodies which may reduce its performance allowing it to release at lower than the specified release force.
UK Patent Application GB-A-2 336 761 states that the hook and loop fastenings provided on the chin strap release when sufficient pressure is applied,
thus ensuring that a child cannot be easily caught on playground equipment by the helmet. As mentioned above, hook and loop fastenings such as Velcro™ may not release under components of force as would be applied on catching the helmet on playground equipment, for example. As mentioned above, hook and loop fastenings may release at lower than the acceptable force of release if contaminated by foreign material.
UK Patent Application GB-A-1 018 928 describes a releasable chin strap assembly for adult helmets, the strap comprising a buckle loop closed by bartack stitching. The breaking action at the bartack stitching is given by applying the bartack stitching over a given length of stitch with a predetermined stitch density. It is vital to the safety of the wearer that the release mechanism is reliable and works correctly, so that there is no chance of hanging on the helmet straps. With a release mechanism as described in GB-A-1 018 928, once the stitching; has broken, the helmet is unusable and it is therefore not possible to successfully check that the release mechanism works without ruining the helmet for future use.
Various release mechanisms are available; however, none are designed to release under the specific force which would be applied on entrapment of a toddler or young child by protective headgear. The falls sustained by a small, lightweight toddler when learning to Walk are generally from a low height and at a relatively low speed, hence a lower release force is required than in the case of older, heavier children falling from greater heights and/or at greater speeds.
Many existing release mechanisms are for applications where the wearer will impact a surface at some speed (for example, from a motorbike) and where multiple bumps to the head will occur as the wearer rolls along the ground. It is therefore important that the buckle does not release in order that the helmet remains in place after initial impact. The release force must therefore be higher for these applications and such release mechanisms are inappropriate for protective headgear for toddlers.
In contrast, toddlers are typically not capable of achieving high speeds when learning to walk and, when a fall occurs, it is invariably not followed by subsequent falls. Therefore protective headgear for toddlers need only remain in place for an initial fall, and there is no requirement for the necessary release force to be sufficiently high so as to ensure the headgear remains in place after the initial impact.
Another problem with some existing helmets has been the tendency for a wearer to overheat.
There is therefore still a need for protective headgear for toddlers which is suitable for everyday wear, is lightweight while still substantial enough to protect from impacts, which protects from penetration injuries whilst providing sufficient ventilation, and provides adequate head surface coverage without impeding vision and/or hearing or causing the wearer to overheat.
Nummary of the Invention
Accordingly, the present invention provides a protective headgear comprising a skull-protecting shell and a retention assembly, the retention assembly having a closing member which self-releases under a predetermined force.
A particular advantage of the invention is that the headgear has a retention assembly with a closing member which self-releases at a specified/predetermined force to avoid entrapment of a wearer by the headgear/helmet.
The skull-protecting shell protects a wearer's skull from impacts sustained when falling against the floor or onto furniture, and from penetration injuries caused by objects such as sharp corners. The retention assembly retains the shell in the correct place on the wearer's head during use.
The helmet shell ideally absorbs impact forces sustained by a toddler within a normal household environment. The likely forces are calculated from a maximum speed of walking/toddling; the maximum height and weight of a wearer, as well as the characteristics of items against which the wearer is likely to impact.
The closing member of the retention assembly self-releases under a predetermined force in order to prevent the wearer being throttled by the retention assembly in a case of entrapment.
Advantageously, the self-releasing closing member is reusable. This allows the headgear to continue to be safely used after the closing member has been caused to self-release.
Preferably, the closing member is located in a substantially vertical plane when the headgear is in use. The force required to cause the closing member to self-release is substantially less when the force is applied in the plane of the closing member, and cases of entrapment provide a vertical component of force.
The closing member may be child-resistant and may prevent children removing their headgear and therefore obviates the need for a parent or carer to have to repeatedly re-don their child's headgear.
Such a closing member has a self-releasing mechanism which is arranged to release under the weight of the wearer to avoid the wearer being throttled in case of entrapment.
British Standard BS EN 1080 : 1997 "Impact protection helmets for young children", (which specifies requirements for helmets intended for use by children under the age of seven, while pursuing activities in motor vehicle free environments), requires that a helmet must detach from a child at a force exceeding 90 Newtons, but not exceeding 160 Newtons force. When however, a
helmet is used by young children or toddlers, typically 9-18 months of age, this release force is far in excess of that needed for automatic release, should a child in this age range become entrapped by the straps. As such, a realistic maximum release force needs to be determined and this maximum force is considered to be less than 160 Newtons.
The release force of the retaining straps is calculated from the weight of the lightest child likely to be wearing the helmet, using anthropometric data upon which to base the weight. For this purpose, the weight of the lightest child and a margin of 20% error of force is calculated from the mass used. The total force is then calculated from the mass by multiplying the mass by g (9.81 ms '2 ).
When a strap arrangement for a helmet has two points of insertion, one on each side of the head, the force will be transmitted equally between the two sides of the helmet. When the releasing mechanism is placed on a single strap to either side of the head, then as there are two straps retaining the helmet at the position of the releasing mechanism, the maximum release force would be half the total force to ensure safe automatic release of a child should it become entrapped by its helmet.
Where a strap arrangement for a helmet has four points of insertion, (one for each strap in front of and behind each ear, on both sides of the head); and a single strap is arranged directly below the point of strap union of the ear straps for each side of the head, (for a releasing mechanism placed directly below the strap union on a single strap to either side of the head), then as there are two straps retaining the helmet at the position of the releasing mechanism, the vertical component of the maximum release force is half the total release force calculated so as to ensure safe automatic release of a child, should the child become entrapped by its helmet.
Applying the foregoing comments to a preferred embodiment, the release force of the retaining straps is calculated from the weight of the lightest child likely
to be wearing the helmet, which from anthropometric data, was 7.0 kg (nine month old girl at the 5 th percentile point). Using a 20% margin of error the force would be calculated from mass of 5.6 kg, which is 5.6 x 9.81 = 55 Newtons.
However, a strap arrangement for a helmet must have a minimum of two points of insertion, one each side of the head. Thus the force will be transmitted equally between the straps at each side of the helmet.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, there are four points of insertion: two each side of the helmet; one foreward of each ear and one behind each ear of the wearer. In this embodiment the release mechanism is placed below a bifurcation position of the straps that attach to the helmet each side of the ear.
Preferably the closing member has an integrated strap joining component. This is advantageous as it minimises the number of components required, and enables the closing member to be located closer to the shell. The closing member is therefore able to lie in the substantially vertical plane, even when the face of the wearer is of small dimensions.
Adjustment means is ideally provided to adjust components located on the straps and the releasable mechanism. The adjustment means enables the closing members to be adjusted to suit different size and shaped heads so as to ensure that the releasable mechanism is correctly positioned and able to release at the predetermined force.
Optimally, the headgear also comprises ventilation means. The headgear may then be worn for a considerable length of time without causing discomfort to the wearer.
Preferably, impact absorbing and cushioning means are provided on the interior of the shell. These improve comfort and protection for the wearer.
The impact absorbing and cushioning means may be removable. In this way, the headgear can be customised to fit different head shapes and/or sizes. The impact absorbing and cushioning means may also be referred to as 'fit pads' and are preferably shaped and dimensioned to fit on an inner surface of the helmet. Ideally these fit pads are of different thickness, for example in the preferred embodiment these are of: 3 mm, 6 mm and 10 mm. The fits pads are interchangeable as a child grows (or for children of different sized or shaped heads).
Fit pads may be circular or oval depending on where they are to be placed within the helmet. Fit pads are colour coded for thickness. This allows them to be easily selected so as to provide maximum adjustment to accommodate different head sizes and shapes using either the same colours/thicknesses or different colours/thicknesses together.
In the preferred embodiment, the retention assembly is attached to the shell with ratchet fastener rivets. The rivets may be formed from nylon. The inner rivets are ideally countersunk so that they lie indented from the profile of the inner surface of the helmet. The outer rivets ideally lie flush with the outer surfaces of the helmet.
The shell is advantageously formed from at least one layer of rigid material, and an inner layer of less dense material. The layered construction provides improved shock absorbing capabilities. The inner layer of less dense material improves comfort for the wearer, while the rigid outer layer protects the wearer's head from collisions with hard-edged objects.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows an exterior front view of a helmet in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the layers used in the manufacture of the helmet shown in Figure 1 ;
Figures 3a and 3b show a left view and right view, respectively, of the helmet shown in Figure 1 ;
Figure 4 illustrates a strap joining component integrated with a female buckle part;
Figure 5 shows a left strap of the helmet shown in Figure 1 with a strap joining component and male buckle part;
Figure 6 is a detailed view of a male buckle part;
Figure 7 shows male and female buckle parts in a fastened position;
Figure 8 shows a rivet;
Figure 9 is an interior view of the helmet shown in Figure 1 , showing the location of fit pads ahd ventilation holes; and
Figure 10 is a diagram showing the distribution of vertical force components distributed through straps of the helmet when exposed to a tensile force through the chin strap.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
Figure 1 shows a helmet 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, comprising a shell 4 and retaining strap 6. The shell 4 is a one-piece,
hollow, lightweight, protective body which is shaped to provide protection of a wearer's entire skull. In particular, the shell protects the anterior fontanelle, the frontal and lateral aspects, the temple areas and the occipital region of the head. The base edge 7 of the shell 4 is contoured so as to not interfere with the wearer's activities or restrict the wearer's hearing or vision.
The helmet shell is constructed from a cross-linked polyolefin foam produced in a continuous web process, such as Alveolen™, which is based on polyethylene and polypropylene homo- and co-polymers and foamed with an organic foaming agent by chemical decomposition. The helmet shell 4 has a rigid outer part 16 made from several layers of 3 mm thick dense grade foam, and an inner layer 18 formed from an 8 mm thick layer of softer, less dense foam, as shown in Figure 2.
The aforementioned layers improve absorption of impacts to the helmet 2 as well as acting to distribute impact energy across a larger surface area. The result is that the likelihood of serious injury to the child is reduced. Inner layer 18 improves the level of comfort and fit of the helmet 2 and also absorbs minor impacts. All layers that comprise the outer part of the helmet are moulded together with an adhesive 17 between adjacent layers. The inner layer 18 is moulded to an outer part 16 with an adhesive 17, and the shell shaped, by thermocompression moulding.
Layers of the helmet shell may comprise any suitable material that can be laminated and are of sufficient strength to resist impact. Polyolefin foam laminate is lightweight and exhibits good recovery behaviour, thereby retaining its shape and providing significant protection even after repeated impacts. The laminate is impervious to water, and so immune to degradation from exposure to moisture. The material is also resistant to ageing, UV exposure and temperature extremes and is therefore able to withstand everyday use and conditions likely to be experienced (for example, left in the back of a car on a hot day). Such a helmet is comfortable and suitable for daily wear, both indoors and outdoors.
Returning to Figure 1 , ventilation holes 8 are provided in the shell 4 to prevent the wearer's head becoming excessively hot. The holes 8 are numbered and sized to allow sufficient ventilation whilst avoiding the risk of a sharp object penetrating the protective helmet.
The retaining strap 6 holds the helmet on the wearer's head by passing under the chin, and comprises a left strap 10 and a right strap 12, joined together in use by buckle 14. The retaining strap 6 is arranged so that the buckle 14 is located at the side of the wearer's face, in the substantially vertical plane directly beneath the ear, rather than under the chin where it is difficult to fasten and risks pinching the skin of the wearer. The buckle 14 comprises a self-release mechanism which activates under application of a predetermined force, such as would occur in a case of entrapment. The vertical force required to release the buckle when located in the horizontal plane is enormous and it is therefore necessary for the buckle to be located at the side of the wearer's face, in the substantially vertica 1 ! plane.
The buckle 14, shown in more detail in Figures 3a and 3b, comprises two separable cooperating members, namely a male part 20 and a female part 22. The buckle 14 is moulded from a hard plastic material such as nylon, with smooth and rounded edges to protect from causing harm to the wearer. The left strap 10 and right strap 12 each comprise a rear strap part 24 lying behind the ear (not shown) when in use and secured to the rear portion of the helmet shell 4 and a front strap part 26 lying in front of the ear and secured to the front portion of the helmet shell 4. The rear strap part 24 and front strap part 26 are joined on the left side with a strap joining component 28 to a chin strap 30. A male part 20 of buckle 14 is attached to the end of chin strap 30. :
On the right side, a strap joining component 34 also joins rear strap part 24 to front strap part 26. In order for the buckle 14 to lie in the required position, due to the small dimensions of a toddler's face, the strap joining component 34 is
integrated with the female part 22 of the buckle 14. In addition to integrating the strap joining component 34 on the right side with the female buckle part 22, the buckle has small dimensions so that the buckle does not lie on the jaw bone of the child, thereby increasing comfort.
Strap length adjusters 36 are provided on both the rear and front strap parts 24, 26 to enable adjustment of the straps in order to ensure the buckle sits directly below the ear, and to accommodate different ear positions and different ear sizes.
With reference to Figures 4 to 7, the female part 22 of buckle 14 has a receiving part 38 comprising a generally flat, tubular body of rectangular cross- section, with an open end 40 for receiving the male buckle part 20. The male part 20 of buckle 14 comprises a base 48 and a central prong 50 extending away from the base 48. The base 48 is provided with a longitudinal slot 52 arranged to receive a strap 30. A bar 54, shown in more detail in Figure 6, is provided in slot 52, the underside of the bar having serrations 56 such that the strap 30 is gripped in slot 52. By this means, the length of strap 30 can be easily adjusted. A pair of resilient arms 58 are provided on either side of the central prong 50. The resilient arms 58 each have a protuberance 60 at the end furthest from the base 48, the protuberances 60 providing camming surfaces 62.
Upon insertion of the male part 20 into the open end 40 of the ferhale receiving part 38, camming surfaces 62 of the male part resilient arms 58 are pushed against female part edges 42, the camming forcing resilient arnrts 58 to flex inwardly towards the central prong 50, thereby providing spring loading for their outward expansion.
As the male 20 and female 22 buckle parts are pushed together, the resilient arms 58 ride inside the female receiving part 38 until camming surfaces 62 clear the side walls 44 of the female part 22. At this time, the resilient arms 58
spring outwards into female part side openings 46, thereby fastening the male part 20 within the female part 22 in the position shown in Figure 7.
To unlatch the buckle 14, the protuberances 60 are manually compressed to allow the protuberances 60 to withdraw from the side openings 46, past the edge of the side walls 44 into the female receiving part 38. The male part 20 can then be removed from the female part 22.
The buckle 14 is designed so that on application of a certain amount of force parallel to the longitudinal axis of the buckle, forcing male part 20 and female part 22 apart, exit camming surfaces 64 are pushed against the edges of side walls 44, the camming forcing the protuberances 60 inwards towards the central prong 50. The buckle 14 therefore automatically releases on application of sufficient force. In order for the buckle to unlatch in a case of entrapment, the buckle must unlatch under the weight of the wearer. Exit camming surfaces 64 are formed at a specific angle, dependent on the material from which the resilient arms 58 are made, such that a predetermined release force of less than 27.5 Newtons (calculated on the basis of the weight of the lightest wearer for which the helmet is designed) is required to release male part 20 from female part 22 without manual compression of protuberances 60 towards the central prong 50.
The buckle 14 is also designed so that ideally the force required to manually release the buckle is greater than that possible for young children to achieve. This obviates the need for parents or carers to have to repeatedly don the child's helmet.
Retaining strap 6, between 1 cm and 2 cm in width for comfort, is attached to the shell 4. In the preferred embodiment this is by means of nylon rivets 32, as shown in Figures 3a and 3b. The rivets are shown in more detail in Figure 8. Each rivet 32 comprises a quick bind ratchet fastener moulded in engineering grade nylon, having an inner member 66 and an outer member 68. The members 66, 68 cooperate via interlocking gripper teeth 70. To form the rivet bond, a hole
is drilled in the helmet shell 4, just wide enough for the rivet shank 72 to pass through. The shank 72 of the outer rivet member 68 is threaded through both the helmet shell and a hole provided in the strap to be attached to the shell. The shank of the inner rivet member 66 is inserted into the shell and the two members pressed together until the interlocking gripper teeth 70 have locked.
The rivet 32 has a head 74 with a diameter large enough so that when tension is exerted on the attached strap, the rivet 32 does not rip through the helmet shell. The large head 74 also enables the binding of soft material or hard- to-bind material.
The length 76 of the rivet shank 72 is arranged to be less than the total thickness of the shell 4; in this way, when the rivets are attached, the head of the inner rivet member 66 will be embedded into the softer foam of the inner layer of the shell and thus not lie against and irritate the wearer's head.
The rivets 32 are located in positions which are less likely to be impacted during use of the headgear, to reduce the possibility of the rivets being smashed. The rivets are also located in order to attach the front and rear strap parts 24, 26 to the shell 4 in a manner such that they form a relatively wide angle, either side of the wearer's ear, thus enhancing the stability of the helmet on the wearer's head.
Fit pads 78, 80, 82 are removably attached to the interior of the helmet, as shown in Figure 9, for customising the fit of the helmet in place on the wearer's head. When fitted the fit pads create a space between the wearer's head and the helmet shell and thus improve ventilation. Being soft in texture, the fit pads provide comfort for the wearer.
A crown fit pad 78, side fit pads 80, and front and back fit pads 82 are each provided in different thicknesses. The pads are attached to the inner surface of the shell by hook and loop material strips (eg. Velcro™), the required thickness
of each type of pad being used to ensure a snug fit of the helmet, for the size and shape of the wearer's head.
The fit pads are made from a low density polyethylene (LDPE) foam, such as Plastazote™ manufactured by Zotefoams, with a density in the range of 30 - 45 kgm "3 . This LDPE foam is lightweight yet durable, innocuous, and of relatively low flammability.
Referring now to Figure 10, which shows diagrammatically how forces act on the helmet. Figure 10 shows the left side of the helmet 83 and the right side of the helmet 84 in a spaced apart view (corresponding to those shown in Figures 3a and 3b) with a releasing mechanism placed on a single strap either side of the head (not shown). There are two straps mounted on the helmet which retain the releasing mechanism at the correct orientation with respect to the helmet. The vertical component of the mεiximum release force is: 55 í 2 = 27.5 Newtons. This force ensures safe automatic release of a child, should it become entrapped by its helmet. Thus in this embodiment of the helmet, the automatic releasing mechanism will have a release force of any value up to the maximum releasing force of 27.5 Newtons. This automatic release mechanism is typically in the form of a self-releasing buckle.
In an alternative embodiment the releasing mechanism is placed on one of the four side straps either side of the wearer's ear. As there are four straps retaining the helmet at the position of the releasing mechanism, the maximum release force (to ensure safe automatic release of the child should it become entrapped by its helmet) is 55 í 4 = 13.75 Newtons. Thus in this alternative embodiment of the helmet, the automatic releasing mechanism has a release force of any value up to a maximum releasing force of 13.75 Newtons.
Once the fit pads have been attached to the helmet shell interior, the helmet is placed on the wearer's head. The buckle is fastened and adjustments made to the front and rear strap parts to ensure that the self-releasing buckle lies in a
vertical plane below the ear. Adjustment may then be made to the length of the chin strap. The foregoing adjustments ensure that the helmet does not tilt forward or backwards.
Having now described various/an embodiment(s) of the invention, numerous modifications will become apparent to the skilled person.
The self-releasing mechanism may be a buckle, but other release mechanisms which release at the specified/predetermined release force may be used.
In the preferred embodiment, the closing member which self-releases at a specified/predetermined force is a buckle. While it is preferable for the buckle to be made of a non-metallic substance, for example moulded polymeric material such as nylon, due to the risk of allergy and/or injury, it may be made of any suitable strength material by any means. The material should not undergo appreciable alteration from contact with sweat or toiletries.
Due to the risk of allergy and to the undesirable hardness of metal, the preferred means of attachment of the retention assembly to the helmet shell is by means of rivets made of nylon. The rivets, however, may be made from other suitable materials.
In the embodiment described, the female buckle part is integrated with a strap joining component. Alternatively, the male buckle part may be integrated with the strap joining component, and the female part attached to the chin strap.
While the preferred material for fit pads is closed cell cross-linked polyethylene foam, the fit pads may be made from any suitable material. In particular, the material should be lightweight but not too compressible.
A surface design on the helmet may be used, including but not limited to, the use of decals on the outer surface of the shell, lamination of a layer of decorative stretchy material, impression during moulding of the helmet shell, or the use of a decorative helmet cover which may be removable and washable. This makes the lightweight, comfortable helmet enjoyable for toddlers to wear.
While the invention has been described with reference to young children, the headgear may also be used by the infirm or those with medical conditions or physical disabilities which give rise to a tendency to fall over or repeatedly bang their heads.
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