A SPORTS HELMET COPYRIGHT NOTICE

This patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of this patent document as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the field of helmets and in particular to a sports helmet which is characterized by two or more panel sections that cooperatively adjust to accomodate various head sizes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of helmets to protect the head from injury is common place in sports and recreation. Typical helmet construction consists of a rigid or semi-rigid shell formed into a generally domed-shape, which covers the majority of the user's head and frequently incorporates a chinstrap to secure the shell in the preferred position on the head. Depending upon the shell construction, padding or cushioning may also be provided along the inside of the shell for increased comfort, better fit and to assist in the absorption of any impact forces. Typically, the major impact-absorbing element of a helmet is a foamed polymer liner, commonly made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) bonded to a plastic outer skin, or the hard rigid shell is lined with soft padding. Polymer foams are chosen because they are easily fabricated and because, unlike honeycombs, their ability to absorb energy is omni-directional. A helmet designer empirically selects the density and thickness to meet standard impact-tests, which are at constant velocity (5 m/s) onto rigid anvils. The liner thickness is limited by practicalities and, to some extent, styling. Conventional helmets have almost the same liner-thickness: 20mm. As a result, when worn, these helmets project outwardly from the wearer's head, increasing the diameter of the natural skull and adding physical disproportion of head to shoulder/torso, for optimal muscular control. Moreover, a typical helmet simply serves to increase the weight of the head relative to the neck muscles, which is well-researched cause of both soft tissue and bone injuries. More important for injuries, this additional weight increases the acceleration potential ((increased) mass x velocity) of the brain inside the cranium, after impact.

Upon impact from anything other than a true perpendicular force vector, the skull/helmet combination acts as a fulcrum as the neck and body ^' bends ^' around it. With increased diameter, the range and magnitude of ^" bend ^" at the fulcrum is dramatically increased and ultimately, the quantity and quality of associated injuries. This is one of the most common ways for avulsion of bone, discs and muscles and it is the classical method for cervical nerve root stretch, rupture or avulsion. Termed a linger ^" in its mild, temporary form, permanent total nerve loss results when the ^" bending ^' injury is more severe. Larger diameter and/or added weight invariably increase rotational force potential and rotation, according to whiplash research, is the most destructive. Presently, many convention non-motorized helmets (i.e. for skateboard, snowboard and rollerblade) are manufactured in only one size... extra large. To accommodate smaller sizes manufacturing companies simply put in more soft foam rubber as the innermost layer. While this layer of foam rubber allows for the helmet to fit multiple sizes, it does nothing to protect the head, and everything to discourage use.

The best choice of liner material is that which absorbs the most energy/unit volume, while limiting the load on the head to a less-than-damaging level. Lazy and unimaginative helmet design has created the problem of bulky, inefficient and unnecessarily large helmets.

Accordingly, a need exists for a sports helmet that will adjust to various head sizes while offering identical or superior safety performance. Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the description that follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sports helmet for protecting a user's head from impact forces. The helmet may include a generally dome shaped shell, the shell being formed from a semirigid material and sized and contoured to substantially cover the user's head. The shell may include a top portion shaped to cover the top surface of the user's head and a plurality of panel portions.

Each of the panel portions may have a top and a bottom region and may be connected to the top portion at the top region and shaped to extend down and around the user's head from the top region to the bottom region.

An aperture may be formed through each of the plurality of panel portions adjacent each of the bottom regions.

A plurality of fasteners, such as a tab member with anchor protrusions, may be provided, each of which are sized for insertion through the aperture in a panel portion and operable to connect to an adjacent panel portion to adjustably couple each of the plurality of panel portions to the adjacent panel portion. The helmet may further include a plurality of apertures formed through each of the plurality of panel portions adjacent each of the bottom regions. The plurality of panel portions may each comprise relief sections adjacent the top portion and respective top regions and relief sections adjacent the respective apertures and bottom regions. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a sports helmet for protecting a user's head from impact forces. The helmet may include a generally dome shaped shell, the shell being formed from a semi-rigid material and sized and contoured to substantially cover the user's head. The shell may include a top portion shaped to cover the top surface of the user's head and a plurality of panel portions.

Each of the plurality of panel portions may have first and second side edges and top and bottom regions. Each of the plurality of panel portions may be connected to the top portion at the respective top regions and shaped to extend down and around the user's head from the respective top regions to the respective bottom regions.

A first aperture may be formed through each of the plurality of panel portions adjacent each of the respective first side edges and bottom regions. A second aperture may also be formed through each of the plurality of panel portions adjacent each of the respective second side edges and bottom regions.

A plurality of fasteners, such as a tab member with anchor protrusions, may be provided, each of which are sized for insertion through the first aperture of a panel portion and through the second aperture of an adjacent panel portion to adjustably couple each of the plurality of panel portions to the adjacent panel portion. The plurality of panel portions may each be dimensioned so that the respective first and second side edges from each of the respective top regions to the respective bottom regions are comprised of a plurality of non-linear edges, the plurality of non-linear edges of the first side edge of a first panel corresponding with the second side edge of an adjacent panel. The plurality of panel portions may each comprise relief sections adjacent the top portion and respective top regions and relief sections adjacent the respective apertures and bottom regions.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a sports helmet for protecting a user's head from impact forces. The helmet may include a generally dome shaped shell, the shell being formed from a semi-rigid material and sized and contoured to substantially cover the user's head

The shell may include a top portion shaped to cover the top surface of the user's head, a front panel portion having top and bottom regions, a first side panel portion having top and bottom regions, a second side panel portion having top and bottom regions, and a rear panel portion having top and bottom regions. The front panel portion may be connected to the top portion at the top region of the front panel portion and shaped to extend down and around the user's forehead from the top region to the bottom region of the front panel portion. The first side panel portion may also be connected to the top portion at the top region of the first side panel portion adjacent the front panel portion and shaped to extend down and around a first side of the user's head from the top region to the bottom region of the first side panel portion. The second side panel portion may also be connected to the top portion at the top region of the second side panel potion adjacent the front panel portion and shaped to extend down and around a second side of the user's head from the top region to the bottom region of the second side panel portion. Finally, the rear panel portion may be connected to the top portion at the top region of the rear panel portion adjacent each of the first and second side panel portions and shaped to extend down and around the back of the user's head from the top region to the bottom region of the rear panel portion.

An aperture may be formed through each of the panel portions adjacent each of the bottom regions. A plurality of fasteners, such as a tab member with anchor protrusions, may be provided, each of which are sized for insertion through the aperture in a panel portion and operable to connect to an adjacent panel portion to adjustably couple each of the panel portions to the adjacent panel portion.

The helmet may further include a plurality of apertures formed through each of the plurality of panel portions adjacent each of the bottom regions.

The plurality of panel portions may each comprise relief sections adjacent the top portion and respective top regions and relief sections adjacent the respective apertures and bottom regions.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a sports helmet for protecting a user's head from impact forces. The helmet may include a generally dome shaped shell, the shell being formed from a semi-rigid material and sized and contoured to substantially cover the user's head

The shell may include a top portion shaped to cover the top surface of the user's head, a front panel portion having first and second side edges and top and bottom regions, a first side panel portion having first and second side edges and top and bottom regions, a second side panel portion having first and second side edges and top and bottom regions, and a rear panel portion having first and second side edges and top and bottom regions. The front panel portion may connected to the top portion at the top region of the front panel portion and shaped to extend down and around the user's forehead from the top region to the bottom region of the front panel portion. The first side panel portion may also be connected to said top portion at said top region of said first side panel portion adjacent said front panel portion and shaped to extend down and around a first side of the user's head from said top region to said bottom region of said first side panel portion. The second side panel portion may be connected to the top portion at the top region of the second side panel potion adjacent the front panel portion and shaped to extend down and around a second side of the user's head from the top region to the bottom region of the second side panel portion. Finally, the rear panel portion may be connected to the top portion at the top region of the rear panel portion adjacent each of the first and second side panel portions and shaped to extend down and around the back of the user's head from the top region to the bottom region of the rear panel portion;

A first aperture may be formed through each of the front, first side, second side and rear panel portions adjacent each of the respective first side edges and bottom regions. A second aperture may also be formed through each of the front, first side, second side and rear panel portions adjacent each of the respective second side edges and bottom regions.

A plurality of fasteners, such as a tab member with anchor protrusions, may be provided, each of which are sized for insertion through the first aperture of a panel portion and through the second aperture of an adjacent panel portion to adjustably couple each of the panel portions to the adjacent panel portion.

The plurality of panel portions may each be dimensioned so that the respective first and second side edges from each of the respective top regions to the respective bottom regions are comprised of a plurality of non-linear edges, the plurality of non-linear edges of the first side edge of a first panel corresponding with the second side edge of an adjacent panel. Additionally, the plurality of panel portions may each comprise relief sections adjacent the top portion and respective top regions and relief sections adjacent the respective apertures and bottom regions.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a sports helmet for protecting a user's head from impact forces. The helmet may include a generally dome shaped shell, the shell being formed from a semi-rigid material and sized and contoured to substantially cover the user's head. The shell may include a top portion shaped to cover the top surface of the user's head, a plurality of panel portions and means to adjustably couple each of the plurality of panel portions to an adjacent panel portion. Each of the panel portions may have a top and a bottom region and may be connected to the top portion at the top region and shaped to extend down and around the user's head from the top region to the bottom region; and

The helmet may further include a plurality of apertures formed through each of the plurality of panel portions adjacent each of the bottom regions. The means to adjustably couple each of the plurality of panel portions to the adjacent panel portion may include a fastener with anchor protrusions operable to fit into the apertures. The plurality of panel portions may each comprise relief sections adjacent the top portion and respective top regions and relief sections adjacent the respective apertures and bottom regions.

Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and to the claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of the invention will be described by reference to the drawings thereof in which:

Fig. 1 is left side front perspective view of the sports helmet of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a left side elevation view of the sports helmet of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a right side front perspective view of the sports helmet of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a right side elevation view of the sports helmet of Fig. 3

Fig. 5 is a rear side elevation view of the sports helmet of the present invention; and Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the sports helmet of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 there is provided a sports helmet 10 for protecting a user's head from impact forces. The helmet 10 includes a generally dome shaped shell 12, the shell being formed from a semi-rigid material and sized and contoured to substantially cover the user's head. The shell 12 includes a top portion 14 shaped to cover the top surface of the user's head.

A plurality of panel portions are also provided. In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of panel portions includes a front panel portion 16 that has top region 18 and a bottom region 20. The front panel portion 16 is connected to the top portion 14 at the top region 18 and is shaped from the top region to the bottom region 18 to extend down and around the user's forehead.

In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of panel portions also includes a first side panel portion 22 that has a top region 24 and a bottom region 26. The first side panel portion 22 is connected to the top portion 14 at the top region 24 adjacent the front panel portion 14 and shaped from the top region to the bottom region 26 to extend down and around a first side of the user's head. Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, in the preferred embodiment, the plurality of panel portions also includes a second side panel portion 28 that has a top region 30 and a bottom region 32. The second side panel portion 28 is connected to the top portion 14 at the top region 30 adjacent the front panel portion 14 and shaped from the top region to the bottom region 32 to extend down and around a second side of the user's head.

Referring to Fig. 5, in the preferred embodiment, the plurality of panel portions also includes a rear panel portion 34 that has a top region 36 and a bottom region 38. The rear panel portion 34 is connected to the top portion 14 at the top region 36 adjacent both the first 22 and second 28 side panel portions and is shaped from the top region to the bottom region 38 to extend down and around the back of the user's head. As best depicted in Figs. 1 and 3, front panel portion 16 also includes a first edge 40 and second side edge 42. Likewise, first side panel portion 22 includes a first edge 44 and second side edge 46, second side panel portion 28 includes a first edge 48 and second side edge 50, and rear panel portion 34 includes a first edge 52 and second side edge 54.

In the preferred embodiment, shell 12 includes a first aperture 56 formed through each of said front 16, first side 22, second side 28 and rear 34 panel portions adjacent each of the respective first side edges and bottom regions. A second aperture 58 is also formed through each of said front 16, first side, 22 second side 28 and rear 34 panel portions adjacent each of the respective second side edges and bottom regions.

Helmet 10 also includes a plurality of fasteners or tabs 60 each of which are sized for insertion through the first aperture 56 of one panel portion and through the second aperture 58 of an adjacent panel portion to adjustably couple each of the panel portions together. To hold the tabs 60 in the first 56 and second 58 apertures, the tabs may include anchor protrusions 62. Preferably, anchor protrusions 62 are dimensioned to allow for insertion into first 56 and second 58 apertures while at the same time preventing the plurality of panel portions from separating from one-another. To aid in insertion, tab 60 and anchor protrusions 62 may be constructed of flexible material to allow the tab and anchor protrusions to twist and turn into first 56 and second 58 apertures. Additionally, flexible tab members allow the panel portions to move relative to each other providing a custom fit for any particular head size. Although the preferred embodiment depicts a fastener or tabs 60 fitting through a plurality of apertures, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, any means to adjustably couple each of the plurality of panel portions to an adjacent panel portion will do. For example, adjustable means may include a fastener secured on one panel via a weld, rivet, snap and then fitted through an aperture of an adjacent panel. Alternatively, adjustable means may include a ratchet system as commonly found on safety helmets.

As best depicted in Figs. 2, 4 and 6, the plurality of panel portions each comprise top relief sections 64 adjacent the top portion 14 and respective said top regions. The plurality of panel portions also each comprise bottom relief sections 66 adjacent the respective plurality of apertures and bottom regions. The relief sections provide venting for the helmet 10 as well as providing a terminus for the non-linear edges discussed below.

For each of the plurality of panel portions, from the top relief sections 64 to the bottom relief sections 66, the panel portions are dimensioned so that the respective first and second side edges are formed from a plurality of nonlinear edges so that the first side edge of a first panel corresponds with the second side edge of an adjacent panel. Corresponding side edges allows the helmet 10 to meet with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for drop tests onto various sized anvils. By incorporating non-linear edges, helmet 10 avoids the possibility that an object will align with an opening and enter the helmet.

Once the fastener tabs 60 are inserted into first aperture 56 of one panel portion and through the second aperture 58 of an adjacent panel portion, helmet 10 may be placed over a user's head. By adjustably coupling the panel portions together, a user can custom fit the helmet 10 to his or her particular head size and shape.

It will thus be seen that a new and novel sports sports helmet has been illustrated and described and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.