Bicycle helmet fit system expanded connectors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019380418-A1
Application number	US-201916365596-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 26, 2019
Priority date	Jun 18, 2018
Publication date	Dec 19, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

A helmet for a head of a user with a liner with an outer shell and an energy management layer having an inner surface and a lower edge surrounding the inner surface at a helmet opening, at least two coupling points located on the inner surface proximal to the lower edge, at least one flexible forehead strap following the lower edge of the energy management layer and inwardly offset from the inner surface, at least two prongs comprising a stem and a head, the head having a larger cross-section than a cross-section of the stem, wherein the stem is attached to and projects away from the flexible forehead strap towards the inner surface and the head couples with the inner surface at one of the at least two coupling points, a continuous gap between the inner surface and the flexible forehead strap extending around an entirety of the lower edge.

First claim

1 . A helmet for protecting the head of a user, the helmet comprising:
at least one liner comprising an outer shell and an energy management layer, the energy management layer comprising an inner surface and a lower edge surrounding the inner surface at a helmet opening configured to receive a head of a helmet wearer; at least two coupling points located on the inner surface proximal to the lower edge; at least one flexible forehead strap following the lower edge of the energy management layer and inwardly offset from the inner surface; at least two prongs comprising a stem and a head, the head having a larger cross-section than a cross-section of the stem, wherein the stem is attached to and projects away from the flexible forehead strap towards the inner surface and the head couples with the inner surface at one of the at least two coupling points; a continuous gap between the inner surface and the flexible forehead strap extending around an entirety of the lower edge; and an adjustable connector coupled to each end of the at least one flexible forehead strap and capable of adjusting a perimeter of the flexible forehead strap, wherein the adjustable connector comprises a knob that decreases the perimeter when rotated in a first direction and increases the perimeter when rotated in a second direction different from the first direction.

2 . The helmet of claim 1 , the at least two coupling points each comprising a hole wherein a length of the stem is greater than a depth of the hole and the stem is slidably coupled within the hole.

3 . The helmet of claim 1 , a first of the at least two coupling points being located in a right front portion of the inner surface and a second of the at least two coupling points being located in a left front portion of the inner surface.

4 . The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the at least two coupling points comprises two pairs of coupling points, a first pair of coupling points located in a right front portion of the inner liner and a second pair of coupling points located in a left front portion of the inner liner; and wherein the at least two prongs comprises two pairs of prongs located on the flexible forehead strap and positioned to couple with the two pairs of coupling points.

5 . The helmet of claim 1 , the continuous gap having a width measuring within a range of 1/16 inches to ¼ inches.

6 . A helmet for protecting the head of a user, the helmet comprising:
at least one liner comprising an outer shell and an energy management layer, the energy management layer comprising an inner surface and a lower edge surrounding the inner surface at a helmet opening configured to receive a head of a helmet wearer; at least two coupling points located on the inner surface adjacent the lower edge; at least one flexible forehead strap following the lower edge of the energy management layer, inwardly offset from the inner surface, and coupled to the inner surface at the coupling points; a coupling point gap separating the inner surface from the flexible forehead strap at each coupling point, the coupling point gap having a width measuring at least 1/16 inch; and an adjustable connector coupled to the at least one flexible forehead strap and capable of adjusting a perimeter of the flexible forehead strap.

7 . The helmet of claim 6 , the at least two coupling points each comprising a hole wherein the stem is slidably coupled with the hole and a portion of the stem is configured to remain outside of the hole.

8 . The helmet of claim 6 , a first of the at least two coupling points being located in a right front portion of the inner surface and a second of the at least two coupling points being located in a left front portion of the inner surface.

9 . The helmet of claim 8 , the flexible forehead strap comprising at least two prongs comprising a stem and a head, the head having a larger cross-section than a cross-section of the stem, wherein the stem is attached to and projects away from the flexible forehead strap towards the inner surface and the head couples with the inner surface at one of the at least two coupling points.

10 . The helmet of claim 9 , wherein each coupling point is configured to receive a pair of prongs and the at least two prongs comprise at least two pairs of prongs, located on the flexible forehead strap and positioned to couple with the first and second coupling points.

11 . The helmet of claim 6 , the coupling point gap having a width measuring ¼ inch or less.

12 . The helmet of claim 6 , wherein the adjustable connector comprises a knob that decreases the perimeter when adjusted in a first direction and increases the perimeter when adjusted in a second direction different from the first direction.

13 . A helmet for protecting the head of a user, the helmet comprising:
at least one helmet liner comprising an outer shell and an energy management layer, the energy management layer comprising an inner surface and a lower edge surrounding the inner surface at a helmet opening configured to receive a head of a helmet wearer; at least two coupling points located on the inner surface proximal to the lower edge; at least one flexible forehead strap following the lower edge of the energy management layer, inwardly offset from the inner surface, and coupled to the inner surface at the coupling points; and a continuous gap between the inner surface and the flexible forehead strap at each of the at least two coupling points.

14 . The helmet of claim 13 , the at least two coupling points each comprising a hole wherein a length of the stem is greater than a depth of the hole and a portion of the length of the stem is configured to remain outside of the hole.

15 . The helmet of claim 13 , further comprising a coupling point gap separating the inner surface from the flexible forehead strap at each coupling point, the coupling point gap having a width measuring at least 1/16 inch.

16 . The helmet of claim 15 , a first of the at least two coupling points being located in a right front portion of the inner surface proximal to the lower edge and a second of the at least two coupling points being located in a left front portion of the inner surface proximal to the lower edge, wherein the at least two coupling points are proximal to a helmet wearer's head temples when in use.

17 . The helmet of claim 16 , further comprising at least two prongs comprising a stem and a head, the head having a larger cross-section than a cross-section of the stem, wherein the stem is attached to and projects away from the flexible forehead strap towards the inner surface and the head couples with the inner surface at one of the at least two coupling points.

18 . The helmet of claim 17 , wherein each coupling point is capable of receiving a pair of prongs and the at least two prongs comprises at least two pairs of prongs, located on the flexible forehead strap and positioned to couple with the first and second coupling points.

19 . The helmet of claim 13 , the continuous gap having a width measuring within a range of 1/16 inches to ¼ inches.

20 . The helmet of claim 13 , further comprising an adjustable connector coupled to the at least one flexible forehead strap and capable of adjusting a perimeter of the flexible forehead strap.

Assignees

• Bell Sports Inc

Inventors

• Musal Michael J

Classifications

• A42B3/08 Primary

  Chin straps or similar retention devices · CPC title

• A42B3/283

  Air inlets or outlets, with or without closure shutters · CPC title

• A42B3/066 Primary

  specially adapted for cycling helmets, e.g. for soft shelled helmets · CPC title

• A42B3/324

  Adjustable helmets · CPC title

• A42B3/281

  Air ducting systems · CPC title