Priority Statement

Tie ins tmu application claims benefit of priority to Robert Weber U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63.189076 that was filed on 15 May 2021 for a HELMET GOGGLE DESIGNED FOR ON-ROAD AND OFF-RO AD USE. which patent application is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein,

I, Technical Field of the invention

1000 Ϊ j The present invention, relates to protective gear and, more particularly, to helmet-type protective gear including face and eye protection,

IL Background of Invention

{0002| Sports that involve movement and potential contact often involve the use of helmets to help protect the head of the participant in the activity. Helmets come in a wide variety of designs and styles. The design of a helmet is usually dictated by the activity with which the helmet is used. The designs of different activity-related helmets, such as hockey helmets, football helmets, lacrosse helmets, skiing helmets, amo racing helmets, and motorcycle helmets are very different, as the activ ities are different and the risks and natures of the contacts that arc typical to the activity are different.

[0003] Different types of helmets may exist even within a particular type of activity, such as baseball, where the helmet that a. catcher wears is different than the helmet that a batter wears. Likewise, helmets designed for use with dirt bikes are often different too helmets that are designed for use with road hi kes .

[0004] One activity factor that tends to require a difference in motorcycle, bicycle, and motorsports helmet design is whether the activity is performed on a road surface or aa. off-road surface. Typically, motorsport activities that occur on road surfaces, such as street motorcycles and go-karts, are usually conducted over a longer period of time and conducted in a relatively dust-free environment.

{ ^' 0005] In contrast, activities that are conducted in an off-road environment, such as off-road motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle riding are often conducted over shorter intervals and are conducted in relatively more dusty and dirty environments. For this .reason, street use helmets and off-road helmets are designed differently. {00061 A large variety of different types of helmet types exist for use in motorcycles and offroad vehicles including full-face helmets. Examples of Mi-face helmets designed primarily for on street use are the Bel! Race Star Flex DLX and the Speed and Strength SS4100 Spikes Gray Modular Helmet; and the Icon Akffight Helmet. Ail three of these h elmets are available at ¾ w¾: _& ¾.0.¾i¾S _; .¾¾¾h {0007) Examples of off-road motorcycle helmets include the Bell Moto 9 Flex helmet that is available from &e Fox V3 Helmet, available 6om am! goggles that are usable with the aforementioned dirt bike motorcycle helmets such as the Oake!v Airbrake MX Goggle shat is available at www oak ley, com. and Fox Racing Vue Pyre Goggles that are available at www. fomachm cam.

[0008] Typical Mi-face helmets include a crown periion that extends over the top of the user's head, first and. second side portions that extend along the side of the user’s head., a rear portion extending down to about the base of the skull and a chin bar portion that extends forwardly along the cheeks and front of the user's face. A front-facing aperture is formed that is generally eo-extensive with the eyes, temple, and nose of the user.

[6009] To protect the user’s eyes, an eye protection device ex tends either over or within this frontal aperture. A primary difference between an on-road and an off-road helmet is the nature of this eve protection.

[00010] In street helmets, thi s eye protection usually takes the form of a shield member that is pivotably coupled to the helmet at a point that is generally co-extensive with the ear of the user. The shield member has an edge portion which engages the lip of the helmet that defines the irotnai aperture. The shield is movable between a down position, wherein it is in front of the user's face to an up positron where it is disposed adjacent to the crown of the helmet, to thereby allow air into the helmet.

[000111 A shield is used with street helmets because it addresses the issues that are typically encountered by street bike users,

{00012| Street bike users typically travel at a higher rate of speed this» off-road riders. The wind at these higher speeds exerts a force against the shield that is in a direction that exerts a front-to- rcar force on the front of the user's face, if the shield was in direct contact with the face. In order to reduce this pressure on the user's face, the shield rests on the Up of the helmet so that the resrwardly speed induced wind force on the shield is exerted against the lip of the helmet rather than directly against the user's face

{60013] By doing- this, the user is more comfortable than she would be if the user encountered this wind-induced pressure directly against. her face. Additionally, the eyes and face are protected from bugs, road matter, or other debris that are encountered while riding as speeds.

[00014] Additionally, (here is typically a significant amount of space between the Sower edge of the helmet and the user's chin. shoulder, and back of the head. This space provides an area into which air can flow into the i nterior of the helmet to help cool the user. Because of the speed at which the user is traveling, sufficient air Row is usually provided to help keep the user cool undermost conditions. As the street rider is normally riot riding in an overly dusty environment, the fact that air can get into a user's helmet does not necessarily cause dust-related irritation to the user.

[000! 5] in contrast, off-road motorcycle helmets often are used with goggles rather than shields. Goggles are employed with off-road helmets because most: goggles have a sealing mechanism such as a gasket which extends around, the rearwardly facing, perimeter of the goggle and engages the user's face. This perimetral seal helps to prevent dust from encountering the user’s eyes. Road and trail dust typically is comprised of small particulates. A typical road dust particulate may have ait average si¾e of about i ft microns, althou gh dust particulates as small as 2.microns or Jess are not uncommon, as are large particulates. See, Guau Zhao, Yeayu Chen. Philip K. ffopke, Thomas M Holsen, &Saresh Dhaniyala, “Characteristics of Traffic-Induced Fugitive Dust, front Unpaved Roads'" Am>$¹ Science and Teckmdogy Volume 5L 201? - issue 11

[dOO 16] The: goggles usually include an elastic hand, that extends from one side of the goggles to the other sick of the goggles and is placed at about ear level around the h ack of the helmet to hold the goggles onto she user’s face.

[0001 ? | A primary advantage of the user of goggles is that the gasket seal, helps to keep dust from engaging the user's eyes. However, a drawback of the use of goggles is that the band and the seal exert pressure against the front of the user's face. However, this pressure is not at. the level that (me would normally encounter with a street bike, since the speed at which off-road persons ride is typically much lower than dial of street bikes, and is often for a lesser time period. Viewed another way, the enhanced ability of the goggles to keep out dust more than compensates for the inconvenience of the pressure exerted on the user s face.

[00018! Recently, there has been a surge la motorcycle riders engaging in art activity that is referred to as ‘"adventure touring” or "‘dual, sport riding”. Generally, these activities refer to a motorcycling activity where a motorcycle rider's journey will include time and miles spent on a street surface along with time and miles spent offroad. On a typical adventure, the user will leave his home and travel on the streets to an off-road venue or trail system. At the off-road venue, the user may then ride his motorcycle on off-road trails for a period of time before returning to the street and riding home. In .many cases, the user may ride many miles on-road before going to the off-road venue. [00019! This activity has become popular enough so that a new category of motorcycles exists called adventure touring motorcycles. Generally, adventure touring motorcycles are heavier and have larger engines than a typical dirt bike, but are smaller and lighter than a typical street bike.

{ ^" 000201 Unfortunately, neither the street helmet nor the off-road helmet works well for such adventure touring _* In particular, a street helmet will serve the rider well while he is on a streetsurface. However, because it is des igned to facilitate cooling of the user by allowing air to enter the user's head space, the street helmet does «of. work well off-road because ii allows too much dust into the user’s head space where it can interfere with the user’s vision by causing the user to get dust in his eyes.

[0002 ij Similarly, She off-road motorcycle helmet does not work well on the street. Although die engagement between tire perimetra! gasket of die goggles does a good job of preventing dust from infiltrating the area of the user’s eyes, its overall design is a compromise for use on the street.

Further, the use of goggles on a mad trip can be uncomfortable and fatiguing. The constant wind pressure that the goggles place against the user's face, combined with the elastic band holding the goggles in place, make this setup undesirable for street use. Additionally, the traditional goggle is much noisier than a traditional style shield when speeds increase to common highway speeds causing additional rider fatigue and/or discomfort. i ^' 00022j Tliis pressure against the user’s face is exacerbated by the fact that riders typically travel at a much higher rate of speed on a street surface than they do off-road. This increased speed increases the air pressure that is exerted on the goggles by the force of the wind while the motorcycle is traveling at speed. Therefore, this air pressure causes the goggles to press uncomfortably against the user’s face, thus causing discomfort when the user employs goggles while riding on the street. [00023 | One object of the present invention is to provide a helmet and goggle solution that has desirable characteristics when used both on. road surfaces and when, used off-road. til. Sum mary of the Invention

[C)0024j in accordance with the present invention, a protective helmet is provided for use with motorsports and cycling activities. The helmet comprises a head receiving helmet body that includes it head receiving interior, and an exterior having a front surface, a rear surface, and a perimetral lip for defining a forward-facing aperture,. A transport shield member is engageabte with, the helmet body and is configured to be -placeable adjacent to the forward-facing aperture of the helmet body. The shield member Includes a front surface, a rear surface, and a perimetral edge having a top portion, a bottom portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion. A perimetra! edge is sized and configured for engaging th.e perimetral lip of the helmet body,

[00025 j A strap has a first end, a second end, and a middle portion that extends between the first and second ends. The first end is coupled to the first side portion of the transparent shield and the second end :1s coupled to the second side portion of th e transparent shield, Tire middle portion is configured to engage the rear surface of the helmet body,

[00026] Tire engagement of die perimetral edge of the shield member with the perimetral lip of the helmet body enables an increasing force exerted against the shield to be exerted against the helmet, rather than directly against the user’s face.

{i.)0027| In a. preferred embodiment,, the helmet .includes a sealing member that is cooperatively positioned with the helmet body and user's face to help reduce the intrusion of particulates, such as road dust, into tut area adjacent to the user's eyes. In a most preferred embodiment, die helmet shield member includes a transparent leas having a perimeiral lens edge. The sealing member includes a first portion that is piaceahle against the front surface of the shield member, a second portion piace ahle against the rear surface of the shield member, and a middle portion containing a groove that is disposed between the first and second portions. The groove is SiitCd and configured for receiving the petimetfai lists edge, and the sealing member preferably extends around each of the upper portion, lower portion, first side portion, and second side portion, [00028] in another aspec t of the instant invention, a shield is provided for use with a protective motor sport or cycling helmet for use with motor sports and cycling that includes a head receiving interior, and an exterior having a front surface, a rear surface, and a pertmeiral lip for defining a forward-lacing aperture,

[00029] The shield comprises a transparent shield member engageable with the helmet body and configured to he piaceahle adjacent to the forward-facing aperture of the helmet body . The shield member includes a fron t surface, a rear surface, and a pertmeiral edge having a top portion, a bottom portion, a first side portion and a second side portion. The perimetral edge is sized and configured for engaging the perimetmi lip of the helmet body.

[00030] A strap is provided that has a first end, a second end, and a middle portion extending between the first and second ends. Tire first end is coupled to the first side portion of the transparent shield, the second end is coupled to the second side portion of the transparent shield and the middle portion is configured to engage the rear surface of the helmet body. The engagement of the peranetral edge of the shield member with the perimeiral lip of the helmet body enables tin increasing force exerted against the shield to be exerted against, the helmet rather than directly against the user’s face. [00031] One feature of the present invention is Shat a helmet goggle is provided that eaa provide the dust-avoidance features of a traditional goggle system without inducing the undue pressure on the user's face when ridden on the street.

[00032] Another feature of the present invention, is tha t the strap-engagement between the shield and helmet provides a shield that is easily removable from the helmet when the user wishes to employ the he imes in a shieldle&s configuration.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention, will become apparent to those skilled in fee art upon a review of she figures and written description presented below, which represent tire presently perceived best mode of carrying out the invention. I V. Brief Description of the Diawin gs

[000.33] Fig, 1 is a right-side perspective view of a fell-face motorcycle helmet of the present invention, to -which the goggle/shield of fee present invention can be coupled;

[00034] Fig. 2 is a left-side frontal perspective view of the motorcycle helmet of Fig. 1;

[00035] Fig. 3 is a left-front perspective view of fee goggle of the present invention;

[00036] Fig, 4 is a rear view of fee goggle of fee present invention, showing the inside surface of fee shield member;

[00037] Fig. S is a frcnt view of (he shield of the present invention;

[00038] Fig, 6 is a front view of the shield member of the present invention, showing the nose gasket attached thereto;

[00039] Fig. 7 is a rear view' of the shield member of the present .invention;

[00040] Fig, 8 is a top view of fee shield of fee present invention;

[00041] Fig, 9 is another front view of fee of the shield of the present invention;

[00042] Fig. 10 is a rear view of fee present invention showing the inside surface of fee shield,

[00043] Fig, 11 is a right-side perspective view of the shield of fee present invention, showing fee front, or outside surface, of fee shield;

[00044] Fig. 12 is a left side perspective view of fee shield of fee present invention;

[00045] Fig, 13 is perspective, right side view of the shield of the present invention;

[00046] Fig, 14 is a front view of fee shield of fee present invention,

[00047] Fig. i 5 is a front side perspective view of fee shield of fee present invention attached to, or positioned on a helmet;

[00048] Fig, 16 is a right-side perspective view of the shield of the present Invention.

[00049] Fig. 1? is a left side view of the goggle-shield of fee present invention coupled to a hehnci in tile use position;

[00050] Fig, 18 is a right-side view of fee goggie-shield-hebnet of the present invention,

[0005 i } Fig, 19 is a perspective view of the hehnet of the present invention showing the optional breath box

[00052] Fig. 20 is an enlarged, sectional, exploded view of the sealing member and top edge of fee transparent lens.

[00053] Fig. 21 is a sectional view taken along lines 20-20 of Fig. :i 7; and

[00054] Fig. 22 is a perspective view of fee helmet of the present invention showing the optional breath bos:. V. Detailed Description

(00055| The description that follows describes, illustrates sad exemplifies one or snore particular embodiments of the present invention in accordance with, its principles, This description is not provided to limit the invention to ihe embodiment or embodiments described herein, but rather to explain and teach die principles of the invention in such a way to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to understand these principles and, with that understanding, be able to apply them to practice not only the embodiment or embodiments described herein, but also other embodiments that may come to mind in accordance with these principles.

(000561 The scope of the presen t invention is intended to cover all such embodiments that stay Sail within the scope of the appended claims, cither literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. [00057] It should be noted that in the description and drawings, like or substantially similar elements may be labeled, with the same reference numerals. However, sometimes these elements may be labeled with differing reference numbers, such as, for example, in cases where such labeling facilitates a clearer description. Additionally, the drawings set forth herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, and ta seme instances, proportions may have been exaggerates:! to more clearly depict certain features. Such labeling and dra wing pract ices do not necessarily implicate an underlying substantive purpose.

[00058] Furthermore, certain views are sid e views which depict on ly one sid e of the device

(or one set of components of a multi set array of components), but it will be understood that the opposite side and other component sets are preferably identical thereto. The present specification is intended to be taken as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of the present invention as taught herein and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[OOOS93 A protective helmet 10 is provided for use with raotorsports and cycling activities. The helmet 10 has a head receiving helmet body 11 that includes a head receiving interior 13, and an exterior 17 having a crown portion 12, a front surface 15, a tear surface 14, a left side portion 18, andapcrimetrai lip 33 for defining a forward-facing aperture 32, A transparent shield member 19 is engageable with the helmet body 11 and is configured to be piaceable adjacent to the forward- feeing aperture 32of the helmet body 11. The shield member 19 includes a front surface 42, a rear surface 43, and a perimetral edge 46 having a top portion 47, a bottom portion 48, a first side portion $0, anda second side portion 51, The perimetral edge 46 is sized and configured for engaging the perimetral lip 33 of the helmet body 11.

[ ⁽ 8)060] A strap 54 having a first end 56, a second end 60, and a middle portion 62 that extends between the first 56 and second 60 ends. The first end 56 Is coupled, to the .first side portion 50 of the transparent shield and the second end 60 is coupled to the second side portion 51 of the transparent shield . The middle portion 62 is configured to engage the rear surface 14 of the helmet body 10.

£0006 i I The engagement of the perlmetral edge 46 of the shield member 19 with the perimciral lip :>4 of the helmet body to enables an increasing force exerted, against the shield member i0 to be exerted against the helmet 10, rather titan directly against the user's face.

[00062] Matty of the parts of the heimet are referenced with respect to she body pan that it covers or is placed against. As such, (lie heimet 10 has a top or crown portion 12 that generally extends over the top of user s head _» a rear surface portion 14 that is generally vertically disposed and extends over the back of the user’s head and a brow portion 16. The brow portion 16 comprises the front part of the crown portion 12 and is placed adjacent to user's forehead or brow.

[00063] The helmet 10 also includes a left side portion 16 Shat is disposed adjacent to the left: side of the user’s head, that extends generally forwardly as far as the user’s ear and rearwardly until it merges into tile rear portion 14. Similarly, a corresponding right side portion 22 of the helmet 10 is provided that is disposed adjacent to the right side of the user’s head,

[00064] A chin bar 23 extends forwardly from the side portions 2022. The chin bar 23 includes a right: jaw portion 24 that extends along the user’s right jaw and a left jaw portion 26 that extends along the user’s left: jaw, A chin portion 2H is disposed at the from of the heimet between the right 24 and left 26 jaw portions and is generally placed adjacent to the user's dun. A visor 71 may be attached to the crown portion.

[00065] A face portion 30 extends in a position at the from of the helmet adjacent to the user's face. The face portion 30 consists primarily of an aperture 32 that Is defined by a perimetra! lip 33 that extends along the upper edge of the chin portion 28 _» jaw portions 24, 26, front and side surfaces oftbe side portions, and the lower surface of the brow portion 16, A base edge 36 extends around the bottom of the helmet 10 _» and defines an aperture throngh which the user exten ds h is head, toplace his head into the interior 13 of the helmet.

[00066] A close able chin vent 38 (sometimes culled a nose vent) is disposed on the chin portion 28 of the helmet. The chin vent 38 is provided lor enabliag air to pass through from the outside of the helmet Id to the interior 13 of the helmet to help cool the user’s head and to provide fresh air for breathing. The chin vent 38 preferably includes a filter (not shown), to filter out particulates such as dust and water, to prevent: these Irritants from entering die interior of the helmet. [00067] in the adventure touring helmet shown, the: chin vent 38 is preferably adjustable between an opened position such that air can flow through it 38, and a closed position, wherein the flow of air throngh the visit 38 is restricted. This enables the user to open fee vent 38 when riding on dirt, but close to the vent when the user is driving on the street or vise-versa, Preferably, the chin vent 38 Is closeable so that the user is not overwhelmed by the flow of air -flowing through the chin vent 38at the high speeds typically employed on street surfaces ^' . [00068] it) addition to the chin vent 38, jaw vents 40 are provided on each of the- left and right jaw portions 26, 24 respectively which also may include fibers for filtering out particulate matter and water. Of course, it is envisioned, that some of the helmets with which the present invention is used will not have chin vents and/or jaw vents.

[00069] The forward portion of the left side portion 20 of the helmet includes a recessed left side shield seat surface 50 sad the front portion of the helmet includes a rigid-side shield seat surface 48 that b provided for receiving the right side of the shield 19. The purpose of the left and right-side seats 50, 48 are io fixedly position the side of the shield 49 when the shield is engaged with the helmet i 0 so that the shield 19 stays in its appropriate place, and does not slide upwardly, downwardly, or rotationiii!y oa the helmet 10. A large amount of protective padding is pro vided in the in terior of the helmet 10 to capture the user’s head, and to protect· the user’s head fey cushioning it against blows and trauma that might occur if the user’s head hits something, such as a road surface or another veh icle in the ease of an accident.

[00070] Examples of preferred cushioning systems are shown in the inventor’s other helmet- related patents, including United States Patent Nos. 10,561,192; 8,955,169, 9,820,525; 10, 980,306; and U.S. Published Patent Application Nos. 2020/0253314; 2019/029795; 2021/0045487;

2012/0198604; and 2015/0157082. The disclosures of these inventions are hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

[0007 ij The perimetral lip 33 that defines the front or face aperture 32 is sized and configured to mating iy receive the perimenal edge 46 of the shield 19, in a manner that provides an effective dust barrier to thereby resist the intrusion of particulate mater, such as dust, that is exterior of the helmet , from passing through the barrier that is created and thereby in truding into the interior of the helmet adjacent to the user’s eyes.

[00072] The seal is preferably capable ofpreventihg, or severely restricting, the intrusion of pani culate matter that is TO microns or greater and, in a most preferred embodiment, is capable of preventing, or significantly restricting the intrusion of particulate matter that is seven microns or greater. It is also capable of preventing, or significantly restricting the intrusion of moisture into the interior of the helmet in the area adjacent to the user’s eyes. In a most preferred embodiment, the hairier created between the engagement of the peri metral edge of the sh ield 19 and the perimetral lip 33 of the helmet 10 body 1.1 prevents, or significantly restricts the intrusion of particulate matter that is two microns or greater in size.

[00073] The sizes given above are typical sizes of particulate matter drat might be encountered as “road dust” of th e type Shat is stirred up and becomes airborne on dry days, through file action of wind, and the movement of objects such as other vehicles on an aapaved road or trail surface. f 00074 j Dost of this type is she type of particulate master that, a rider who is riding his motorcycle or ATV on dusty roads and offroad trails Is most likely to encounter and, as sue!?, is the type most likely to cause irritants to the users eyes,

( ^' 000751 The perimetral lip 33 includes a top portion 84 that extends at the interface between the exterior brow of the helmet 10 and the aperture 32, and is generally arcuate in configuration to correspond to the are of the front of the helmet. The perimetral Sip 33 also includes a bottom portion which extends along the chin portion 28 of the helmet at tire interface between the jaw portions 24, 26 and chin portion 28 and the aperture 32,

[000763 As best shown in Fig, 21, the perimetral lip 33 in the top portion 84 and bottom portion is generally L*$haped to include a forwatd!y-facing surface 74 which is somewhat vertically disposed and a vertically-facing surface 76 which, is somewhat horizontally disposed As will be described hi more detail later, this results in a somewhat L-shaped cross-section, which is mating ly engageable with a complementary configured I. -shaped configuration in the shield scaling member. (Ό00773 The perimetral lip 33 also includes a first side portion 52 and a second side portion S3, The first and second side portions 52, S3 of the perimeira! Up arc generally planar, and Include a series of bumps to enhance frictional engagement between the first and second side portions 52, 53 of the perimetral lip of the helmet 50 and the first and second side surfaces 50, 51 of the sealing members of th e shield. An L~shaped cross-section of the side portions 52, 53 is not as necessary as along the top 84 and bottom portions since the flow of air along the side portions 52, 53, and the rearwardfy- opening naiure of the sides of the shield 19, and of the covering of the shield 19 with the strap 54 will largely prevent dust from intruding, since the dust Is generally not engaging the sealing member with the pressurized force caused by the wind exerting as much force agamsrthe membrane. [00078{ The first and second side surfaces 52, 53 of the perimetral tip 33 serve as shield- engaging seats upon which the sealing member of (he shield 19 rests to help to form a particle- resistant barrier,

[00O793 The bottom portion of the perimetral lip includes three segments. These segments include a relatively planar first jaw segment 86, a relatively planar second jaw segment 90, and an arcuate nose or front segment 92. The segments take their shape from the generally corresponding shape of the helmet 10. The arcuate nose or front segment 92 takes its shape because the front surface of the helmet includes a relatively higher vertically-extending .front portion to accommodate the chin vent 38 through wh ich air can pass to enter the interior 13 of the helmet 19 adjacent to the user's nose. [00080] The shield member is best shown m Figs. 3-14 and 21 , Generally, die shield member19 includes a front surface 42, a rear surface 43, and a perimetral edge 46. The perimetral edge 46 is sized and configured for sealmgiy-eagagitg the perimetral lip 33 of the helmet 10 body 11.

[00081 ] The shield member 19 includes a top portion 47, a bottom prat ion 48, a first side portion 50, and a second side portion Si. A strap 54 includes a first end 56 that is coupled by a clip to the right side of the shield 19 and a second end 60 that is coupled by a second clip 61 to the second side of shield 19. The strap also includes a middle portion 62 that extends generally between the first end 56 and second end 60 of the strap 54. When in use, the middle portion 62 extends around the exterior of die helmet 19 and, in particular, around the rear surface portion 14 of (he helmet to help secure the shield 19 onto the helmet The middle portion includes an adjustment member 65 which includes a three-bar slide adjuster 67 and ring 69. The adjustment member 65 enables the user to adjust the length of the straps so that it Sts onto the helmet to which the shield 19 is attached in the manner that holds the shield securely onto the helmet.

[909823 Since the shield 1.9 engages tile helmet along the perimetral lip 33, pulling the strap extra tightly to make sure that it is secured onto the helmet 10 does not add additional pressure to the user ^' » face. Rather, because of the inventive design of the present invention, the tightness of the strap 54 should have no measurable impact on the way that die helmet 16 feels to the user.

[00083] The general shape of the perimetral edge 46 of the shield member 19 conforms generally to the shape of the perimetral lip 33 of the helmet.

[000841 The top portion 47 of the perimetral edge 46 is generally arcuate, and is steed and configured to matingly engage the arcuate top portion 84 of the perimetral lip 33, Further, the bottom surface of the shield 48 includes three distinct, segments, including a first jaw-engaging portion 48A, a second jaw-engaging portion 48B, and a nose or chin vent central portion 48C. These shapes are dictated largely to conform, to the corresponding engagement surfaces of the relatively planar first jawsegment 86 , the relatively planar second jaw segment 90, and the arcuate nose or front segment 92. [90085] ft will be appreciated that the shape and configuration of (he perimetral edge 46 of the shield 19 would likely change if perimetral lip 33 would have a configuration different than that show» in the drawings. For examp le, the arcuate portion 48C of the bottom edge of the shield 46 might not be necessarily arcuate if the helmet: with which the shield 19 was used did not include the chin or nose vent 38,

[00086] The shield 19 is comprised of three primary componen ts, including the strap 54 and first S3 and second 61 clip assembly; a transparent lens 34 and a seating member 53, The transparent lens includes an edge portion 106 that includes a top edge 108, a botom edge 110, a first side edge 112 _» and a second side edge 1.14. The shapes and configurations of the edge portion 166 am generally similar to the configuration of the shield 19 as a whole.

[90087] The transparent leas 390 is preferably made to «table the user to look through the lens without losing any significant detail _{* .} Additionally, the lens 1.00, if colored, should still he transparent, and should be tinted at a color that will not significantly distort the colors that the user sees through the lens.. In particular, the user should be able to look through the lens 109 and recognize the red of a red light* the green of a green light, and the yellow of a yellow light traffic signal.

{00088| Further, the Ians 100 should be made from a relatively strong material. The most common material from which lenses 100 are made Is polycarbonate, because of its toughness and shatter resistance. In the United States, many states require a lens 100 to meet or exceed the standards set forth in tie Vehicle Equipment _* Safety Commission Number 8(VESC-8 or V-8) and Snell, The V- 8 jest requires that the shield be able to not allow lens 100 penetration if a i .56-ounce steel projecti le with a conical point strikes the shield at 20 miles per hour. The Snell test includes a pellet gits test that also prohibits the: test projectile from entering the helmet.

[00089] The second component of the shield 19 is a sealing member I SO. The sealing member

! 30 essentially comprises an elastomeric gasket type device that is coupled to and engages the perimetral edge of the lens 100, The scaling member 130 is preferably comprised of a deformable material such as a thermoplastic methane material, or a thermoplastic elastomer material that has a duro meter hardness of between, of about.40 Shore A and 80 Shore A . Most preferably, the durometcr hardness of the sealing member should be between about 60 Shore A and 70 S hore A.

{00090] The sealing member 130 preferably engages substantial ly all of the edge portion 0)6, of the lens 100 and may be molded in a manner so that the side portions of the sealing member are formed to either be a part: of the clips 53, 61, or are formed to enable the clips S3, 61 to engage the sealing member 130 in a manner that securely engages the sealing member 130 to the clips 53, 61 and thereby the strap 54,

[00091 j Preferably, the scaling member 130 engages the entire perimetral lip. However, this engagement of the entire perimetral Up may include _. portions that are near, but not at the edge 106.

For example, near the side pontons 50, 51 of the transparent fens 100, the sealing material may just extend on a planar surface of the transparent lens 100 so that the perimetral lip engaging surface of the sealing member 100 can beter engage the generally planar first 52 arid second 53 side portions of the perimetral Up 33,

[00092] The important feature is that fee sealing member engages the perimetral lip 33 in a manner that sealingly engages the sealing member 130 to fee perimetral lip 33 lor preventing a significant quantity of particulate matter from entering the interior of the helmet through the forward- facing aperture of the helmet 10. The seal should be significantly complete, so that fee particulate barrier created by the engagement of the sealing member 130 and perimetral lip 33 is capable of preventing fee intrusion of particulate materials haying a size of about 10 microns or greater,

[00093] More preferably, the barrier should be capable of resisting the intrusion of particulate materials feat are about seven microns or greater and, most preferably, capable of resisting the intrusion of particulate materials ha ving a size of about two microns or greater. The significance of these sizes is that: they am the typical sizes of ^f road dust” particles of the type that are gferedup through either the action of wind, or other vehicles traveling along an unpaved road or trail of the type that an off-road rider would likely be driving his motorcycle, off-road bicycle, or ATV.

[1)00941 One configuration in which the sealing member can be manufactured, especially for those portions of the sealing member other than the side edge surfaces, is to have a sealing member 130 that includes a first portion 134 plaoeable against the front surface 102 of the lens 100, a second portion 136 that is placcabie against the second or interior surface 104 of the lens 1.00, and a third portion 138 that includes a groove 140 for receiving the pemnetnd lens edge portion 106. In this configuration* die sealing member 130 is configured S or maUagly engaging the perimetral tip 33 of the helmet 10 to create a particulate barrier capable of preventing a large portion of typical road dust particulates from passing through the barrier.

[00095] Turning now to .Fig. 19 a helmet 10 is shown that includes a breath box. 1 SO. The purpose of a breath box 150 is to create a barrier that restricts the move mart of particulate mater and air between a lower space of the interior of the helmet that is adjacent to the user's nose and month, and an upper area of the interior of the helmet 10 that is adjacent to the user’s eyes.

! 00096] One of the benefits of a breath box 150 Is that it prevents moisture, such as that found in exhaled breath from engaging the interior surface 104 of the transparent: Sens 100 to thereby help to prevent the interior surface 104 of the lens 100 from getting fogged up, such as might occur in humid situations, or situations wherein the helmet goes from a relatively cold area, to a relatively warmer area.

[00097] Just as the breath box helps to prevent, the passage of humid air to the interior of tire helmet 10 adjacent to the user's eyes, It. also helps to restrict the flow of dust to the area adjacent to the eves.

[00098] As discussed above, there should not be a significant amount of dust that enters the interior space of the helmet adjacent to site user’s mouth and nose through ei ther the jaw vests 40 or the chin vent 38 as the jaw vent 40 and chin vest 38 preferably both include filters for trapping fits dost. However, dust will enter the Interior of the helmet around the base edge 36 of the helmet 10. [00099] The breath box ISO includes an exteriorly-facing surface 152 and an imerforfy-faciog surface (not shown). The breath box 150 further includes a forward edge 154 that can include an attachment material for attaching the forward edge to the interior surface of the helmet, to help create a harrier to the passage of ai r and particulate matter around the forward edge 154 of the breath box 150. The breath box includes a rearward edge 156 that is configured for engaging the nose and face of the user to form a barrier between the area of the interior of the helmet below the breath box 150 and the area of the interior above the breath box 150, which is the area of the interior of the helmet that is adjacent to the eyes of the user,

[(8)0! 00] The breath box further includes a first side portion 158 and a second side portion 162 that are relatively smaller and have a lower height than {he relatively enlarged central portion 166,

The first and second side portions can include a fastener sach as a hook and loop type fastener that is disposed on the exteriorly-lacing surface 15.2 of die breath box I SO and may be engageahle with a complementary hook and loop fastener that is disposed on the interior surfitce of the helmet.

[000101] In sortie embodiments, the helmet goggle may employ a nose gasket 144 (Fig; 6), A nose gasket 144 is a gasket that: is gen erally fi tted onto the exterior tonfai surface of the shield 19 to accurately engage the shield 19 onto the outer surface of the helmet shell at the nose vent area 15, and may comprise a rubber or foam material similarly defined as the goggle scaling member i 30.

[000102] The nose gasket 144 is best shown at Figs. 14. as being coupled to the shield 19, adjacent to arcuate portion 4SC of the shield

[000103] Having _, described the invention is detail with references to preferred embodiments, it will he appreciated that the above-described invention is not limited by the description herein, but rather, shall be limited only by the claims and their equivalents that shall be attached hereto.