U.S. patent application number 10/323675 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-24 for hockey helmet comprising an inflatable bladder.
Invention is credited to Durocher, Jacques, Racine, Bertrand.
Application Number | 20030135914 10/323675 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 4170936 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030135914 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Racine, Bertrand ; et
al. |
July 24, 2003 |
Hockey helmet comprising an inflatable bladder
Abstract
A hockey helmet for receiving a head of a wearer, the head
having a crown region, left and right temple regions, left and
right side regions and an occipital region. The hockey helmet
comprises a front portion facing the crown region and the left and
right temple regions of the head and a rear portion facing the left
and right side regions and the occipital region of the head. The
hockey helmet also comprises an inflatable bladder mounted on the
rear portion and adjacent to the occipital region of the head. The
inflatable bladder is capable of applying pressure on the occipital
region of the head for urging the front portion of the hockey
helmet towards the crown region of the head when the helmet is
placed on the head.
Inventors: |
Racine, Bertrand; (Portland,
OR) ; Durocher, Jacques; (St-Jerome, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SMART & BIGGAR
Suite 3400
1000 De la Gauchetiere Street West
Montreal
QC
H3B 4W5
CA
|
Family ID: |
4170936 |
Appl. No.: |
10/323675 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/413 ; 2/425;
2/DIG.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/122 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/413 ; 2/425;
2/DIG.003 |
International
Class: |
A42B 003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 21, 2001 |
CA |
2,365,894 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention for which an exclusive privilege
or property is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A hockey helmet for receiving a head of a wearer, the head
having a crown region, left and right temple regions, left and
right side regions and an occipital region, said helmet comprising:
(a) a front portion for facing the crown region and the left and
right temple regions of the head; (b) a rear portion for facing the
left and right side regions and the occipital region of the head;
and (c) an inflatable bladder on said rear portion and adjacent to
the occipital region of the head when said hockey helmet is placed
on the head, said inflatable bladder being capable of applying
pressure upon the occipital region of the head for urging said
front portion towards the crown region of the head.
2. A hockey helmet as defined in claim 1 further comprising a pump
in fluid communication with said inflatable bladder, said pump
being operable by the wearer for inflating said inflatable
bladder.
3. A hockey helmet as defined in claim 2, wherein said inflatable
bladder comprises an occipital chamber and left and right side
chambers, said occipital chamber facing the occipital region of the
head and said left and right side chambers facing the left and side
regions of the head respectively when said helmet is placed on the
head.
4. A hockey helmet as defined in claim 3, wherein said occipital
chamber is in fluid communication with said left and right side
chambers.
5. A hockey helmet as defined in claim 4, wherein said pump
includes a manually compressible bellows for pumping air in said
inflatable bladder.
6. A hockey helmet as defined in claim 4, wherein said pump
includes a one way valve to prevent air in said inflatable bladder
to escape via said pump.
7. A hockey helmet as defined in claim 5, wherein said front
portion and said rear portion comprise respective front and rear
shells.
8. A hockey helmet as defined in claim 7 further comprising a front
inner pad on said front shell and a rear inner pad on said rear
shell.
9. A hockey helmet as defined in claim 8 further comprising a rear
comfort liner on said rear inner pad.
10. A hockey helmet as defined in claim 9, wherein said inflatable
bladder is mounted between said rear comfort liner and said rear
inner pad.
11. A hockey helmet as defined in claim 6, wherein said inflatable
bladder comprises a release valve for discharging air from said
inflatable bladder.
12. A hockey helmet as defined in claim 11, wherein said release
valve is mounted on said occipital chamber.
13. A hockey helmet as defined in claim 11 further comprising a
cover covering said pump and said release valve.
14. A hockey helmet as defined in claim 13, wherein said cover is
flexible for allowing the wearer to operate either one of said pump
and said release valve through said cover.
15. A hockey helmet as defined in claim 8 further comprising a
front comfort liner on said front inner pad.
16. A hockey helmet as defined in claim 6, wherein said front
portion is movable relative to said rear portion for allowing size
adjustment of said helmet.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a hockey helmet with an
inflatable bladder designed to improve the fit of the helmet on the
head of the wearer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] As embodied and broadly described herein, the present
invention provides a hockey helmet for receiving a head of a
wearer. The head has a crown region, left and right temple regions,
left and right side regions and an occipital region. The hockey
helmet comprises a front portion facing the crown region and the
left and right temple regions of the head and a rear portion facing
left and right side regions and the occipital region of the head.
The hockey helmet also comprises an inflatable bladder mounted on
its rear portion and adjacent to the occipital region of the head.
The inflatable bladder applies pressure on the occipital region of
the head for urging the front portion of the hockey helmet towards
the crown region of the head when the helmet is placed on the
head.
[0003] The use of an inflatable bladder that is located adjacent
the occipital region of the head improves the fit of the helmet on
the head of the wearer by urging the helmet against the crown
region of the head.
[0004] In a non-limiting example of implementation, the helmet also
includes a pump for inflating the bladder. Alternatively, the
bladder may be designed to be inflated by an external pump that is
separate from the helmet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] A detailed description of the embodiments of the present
invention is provided herein below, by way of example only, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a head of a wearer;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view of the head of the
wearer of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hockey helmet constructed
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the hockey helmet
of FIG. 3;
[0010] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the hockey helmet
of FIG. 3;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a more detailed exploded perspective view of the
hockey helmet of FIG. 3;
[0012] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rear padding section and a
pump cover of the hockey helmet of FIG. 3; and
[0013] FIG. 8 is an elevation view of an inflatable bladder with a
pump of the hockey helmet of FIG. 3.
[0014] In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are
illustrated by way of examples. It is to be expressly understood
that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of
illustration and are an aid for understanding. They are not
intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0015] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a head of a wearer. The head
comprises a crown region CR, left and right temple regions LT, RT,
left and right side regions LS, RS and an occipital region OC. Left
and right side regions LS, RS are approximately located above the
ears of the wearer. Occipital region OC substantially corresponds
to the region under the occipital protuberance of the head.
[0016] Shown in FIGS. 3 to 8 is a hockey helmet 10 having a front
portion 18 and a rear portion 20 interconnected together. Front and
rear portions 18, 20 comprise respective front shell 22 and rear
shell 24. Front shell 22 and rear shell 24 may be made of a
relatively rigid material, such as NYLON, polycarbonate materials,
thermoplastics, or thermosetting resins or any other suitable
material. Front shell 22 includes a plurality of ventilation
apertures 26. Ventilation apertures 26 provide the added comfort of
allowing air to circulate around the head of the wearer.
[0017] The front shell 22 and rear shell 24 overlay respective
front and rear inner pads 28 and 30. Both front and rear inner pads
28, 30 are integrally formed. The front and rear inner pads 28,30
have three-dimensional configurations that match the
three-dimensional configurations of the respective front and rear
shells 22, 24, and are attached to the inner surfaces of the front
and rear shells 22, 24 by any suitable means, such as adhesives or
mechanical fasteners. In this fashion, the front and rear shells
22, 24 can mechanically interlock with the respective front and
rear inner pads 28, 30. Alternatively, the front and rear inner
pads 28,30 may be made of separate components applied at specific
locations of the inner surfaces of the front and rear shells 22, 24
and attached to the front and rear shells 22, 24 in any suitable
way.
[0018] Front and rear inner pads 28, 30 are made of shock absorbing
material such as expanded polypropylene (EPP). Other materials can
also be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Rear inner pad 30 comprises a top portion 30T extending over the
top of the head of the wearer. The inner surface of front inner pad
28 is covered with a front comfort liner 32 and the inner surface
of rear inner pad 30 is covered with a rear comfort liner 34 and a
top comfort liner 36. Front comfort liner 32 and rear and top
comfort liners 34, 36 entirely cover the inner surfaces of front
and rear inner pads 28, 30 respectively. Rear comfort liner 34
comprises an occipital portion 340C, a left side portion 34LS and a
right side portion 34RS (see FIG. 7).
[0019] Helmet 10 also comprises two downwardly extending sides 38
that extend along the sides of the wearer's face in front of the
ears. Sides 38 provide additional protection to the sides of the
head of the wearer, and further provide a useful location for
connecting ear loops 40. At the base of sides 38 are apertures 42
(only left side 38 shows aperture 42) to which ear loops 40
connects. The other end of each ear loop 40 connects into an
aperture 44 located on the base of rear shell 24. A chinstrap 46 is
adapted to be attached to each ear loops 40, so that when it is
secured beneath the chin of the wearer, helmet 10 is maintained
onto the head of the wearer. If desired the helmet 10 may be
provided with ear covers 48 for protecting the ears of the
wearer.
[0020] The front and rear portions 18, 20 can move one with
relation to the other so as to adjust the size of the head
receiving cavity of the helmet 10. Locking mechanisms retain the
front and rear portions 18, 20 in the position selected by the
wearer. Any suitable type of locking mechanisms such as the one
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,776 of Bauer Nike Hockey Inc.
issued on Sep. 28, 1999 can be used without departing from the
spirit of the invention.
[0021] In operation, a wearer who puts on the helmet 10 and
realizes that it is too large or too small, does not need to remove
helmet the 10 to adjust it. The wearer must simply release the
locking devices expand or contract the size of helmet 10 by
displacing the front and the rear portion 18, 20 in relation to
each other in the appropriate direction.
[0022] Alternatively, helmet 10 may comprise a non-adjustable
one-piece shell covering a one-piece inner pad and a one-piece
comfort liner. In another possible variant, the helmet 10 may
comprise separate front and rear portions 18, 20 that are connected
to one another in any suitable way but not adjustable one relative
to the other.
[0023] Helmet 10 further comprises an inflatable bladder 50 mounted
between rear comfort liner 34 and rear pad 30. Inflatable bladder
50 has an occipital chamber 500C in fluid communication with left
and right side chambers 50LS, 50RS through respective left and
right air channels 52L, 52R. In a possible variant, the inflatable
bladder 50 may only comprise the occipital chamber 50OC, without
any side chambers.
[0024] A pump 54 is connected to the inflatable bladder 50, the
pump 54 being in fluid communication with the occipital chamber
50OC through a tube 56. Alternatively, the pump 54 may be connected
to left or right side chambers 50LS, 50RS. The pump 54 is manually
operated by pressing on a bellows 58 that forces air in the
inflatable bladder via the tube 56 containing a one-way valve (not
shown). The one-way valve prevents air from the inflatable bladder
50 to escape via the tube 56. The number of pump cycles applied to
the bellows 58 determines the degree of inflation of the inflatable
bladder 50. Inflatable bladder 50 also comprises a release valve 60
mounted on the occipital chamber 50OC for deflating the inflatable
bladder 50. The release valve 60 may be mounted instead on one of
the side chambers 50LS, 50RS.
[0025] Helmet 10 also comprises a protective cover 62 that covers
the pump 54 and release valve 60. Cover 62 is mounted to rear inner
pad 30 and/or rear comfort liner 34. The cover 62 is sufficiently
flexible to allow the wearer to depress the bellows 58 and operate
the release valve 60 through the cover 62. More particularly, the
cover 62 may be made of material sufficiently flexible that can be
easily deformed by finger pressure. Alternatively, the cover 62 may
be made of relatively rigid material, that cannot be deformed by
finger pressure but it includes regions that register with the
bellows 58 and the release valve 60 that are more flexible.
Flexibility may be imparted to the selected regions by reducing the
thickness of the material in those regions, or adding structural
features that increase the flexibility without thickness
reductions. Examples of such structural features include flexure
enhancing hinges or folds.
[0026] When inflated, inflatable bladder 50 applies pressure upon
the occipital region OC and the left and right side regions LS, RS
of the head of the wearer. The pressure tends to urge the front
portion 18 of the helmet 10 toward the crown region CR of the head.
Moreover, the left and the right side chambers 50LS, 50RS of the
inflatable bladder 50 apply pressure on the corresponding parts of
the head such as to laterally stabilize the helmet 10. Accordingly,
the occipital part of the inflatable bladder 50 tends to urge the
helmet 10 against the crown region CR of the head. Depending on how
tightly the head of the wearer fits in the head receiving cavity of
the helmet 10, the pressure applied by the occipital part of the
inflatable bladder 50 may induce a slight movement of the helmet 10
toward the back of the head, necessary to seat the front portion 18
of the helmet 10 against the crown region CR of the head. At the
same time, the side chambers 50LS, 50RS of the inflatable bladder
50 apply pressure on both side region LS, RS of the head and
stabilize the helmet 10 laterally.
[0027] The degree of pressure applied by the inflatable bladder 50
is controlled by the amount of air pumped in the inflatable bladder
50 by the wearer. If the amount of pressure is too high, air can be
released by operating the release valve 60.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 8, inflatable bladder 50 comprises several
affixing members 62 for affixing inflatable bladder 50 to the outer
surface of rear comfort liner 34. The affixing members include
apertures through which suitable fasteners can be inserted.
Alternatively, adhesive, VELCRO or stitches may be used to secure
the inflatable bladder 50 to the rear comfort liner 34. Inflatable
bladder 50 is thus mounted between rear comfort liner 34 and rear
inner pad 30 and can expand therebetween in order to apply pressure
upon the occipital region OC and left and right side regions LS, RS
of the head.
[0029] The above description of the embodiments should not be
interpreted in a limiting manner since other variations,
modifications and refinements are possible within the spirit and
scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is
defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *