BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A standard protective helmet comprises a hard outer shell fitted internally with softer padding. These helmets which can be worn for many different types of sports including skiing and the like are not particularly comfortable. They are not readily size adjustable and they provide little or no warmth for outdoor winter sports.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a protective helmet which is comfortable to wear, which is easily size adjustable and which is particularly well suited for cold weather sports. It is, however, also useable for warmer weather sports.

More particularly, the protective helmet of the present invention comprises a head cover which is formed from standard stretch hat material with independent front and rear protective pads fitted internally of the head cover. The pads form a domed construction which has a parting line generally centrally of the domed construction where the pads meet with one another.

As a result of the use of standard stretch hat material in forming the head cover and further because of the use of the independent front and rear protective pads, the helmet fits to the user in the same manner as would an ordinary outdoor hat while at the same time providing the user with protective features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above as well as other advantages and features of the present invention will be described in greater detail according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention in which

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a protective helmet according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows the helmet of Figure 1 when fitted to an individual and with the chin strap in the use position; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the helmet in cross section and with the chin strap in the storage position; Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the protective pads on the helmet of Figure 1 fitted to the individual; Figure 5 is a partially sectioned bottom perspective view of the helmet of Figure 1 with the chin strap in the storage position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION ACCORDING TO THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Figure 1 shows a protective helmet generally indicated at 1. This helmet includes a head covering portion 3 with a rolled outer rim 11.

Additionally provided is a one piece chin strap 13 attached to the main body of the cover.

Cover 3 is made from a standard stretch hat material, i. e. cotton, wool or even some type of a polyester material. From the exterior, the helmet looks like a standard hat worn for outdoor sports such as skiing and the like.

However, unlike a standard outdoor hat, helmet 3 is fitted internally with front and rear protective pads 15 and 17 respectively. These pads are contained within separate layers 5 and 7 of the hat material which form a pocket internally of the helmet to hold the pads in position. The layers 5 and 7 are secured to one another at stitching 9 peripherally of the helmet to hold the pads in place.

Pads 15 and 17 can be made from different types of materials such as ABS plastics, styrene, polyproplylene etc. They are rigid enough to provide protection against impacts to the users head. They can also have a mute layer construction including softer padding material on their inner surfaces for comfort to the user.

As can be well seen in Figure 4, pads 15 and 17 form a dome like structure from the front to the rear and across the top of the head of the user.

In the embodiment shown, pad 15 has teeth 16 which meet with corresponding teeth 18 on pad 17. The sets of mating teeth form a parting line 19 generally centrally of the padded dome structure. This parting line allows the helmet made from its stretch cover to fit to essentially all head sizes. The saw tooth pattern along the parting line 19 provides protection along the top region of the helmet even though the front and rear pads are able to move independently of one another for fitting to the head of the user.

It is to be appreciated that the pads need not have such a toothed parting line between them but rather may meet at flat edges with one another.

Figure 2 shows that the helmet can be used with the chin strap 13 around the chin of the user whereas Figures 3 and 5 show that the chin strap can also be pushed up into the helmet in a stored position when the user does not wish to have the strap fitted around his or her chin.

As will be apparent from the description above, the helmet of the present invention has the normal comfort, warmth and look of a standard outdoor hat while at the same time providing protective benefits found in a hard shell helmet.

Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention of from the scope of the appended claims.