U.S. patent application number 10/386019 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-20 for helmet with breathing mask air passages.
Invention is credited to Fournier, Eric.
Application Number | 20030213050 10/386019 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27807991 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030213050 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fournier, Eric |
November 20, 2003 |
Helmet with breathing mask air passages
Abstract
A helmet is particularly well suited for cold-weather use. The
helmet includes a jaw shield that is detachable from a head
portion. A breathing mask connects to the jaw shield via a mask
adjustment mechanism that selectively axially moves the breathing
mask toward and away from an inner surface of the jaw shield to
precisely and accurately position the breathing mask against the
nose and mouth of the helmet's wearer. A spring-loaded
quick-release tinted shield is controlled by a lever that
selectively raises and lowers the tinted shield. An eye shield
pivotally connects to the helmet and is disposed in front of the
tinted shield. An eye shield heating system on the eye shield
electrically connects to the head portion of the helmet to provide
electric power to the heating system.
Inventors: |
Fournier, Eric; (Orford,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY WINTHROP, LLP
P.O. BOX 10500
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Family ID: |
27807991 |
Appl. No.: |
10/386019 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60363353 |
Mar 12, 2002 |
|
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|
60410295 |
Sep 13, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/424 ; 2/171.3;
2/422 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A62B 9/003 20130101;
A42B 3/226 20130101; A42B 3/326 20130101; A42B 3/10 20130101; A62B
18/00 20130101; A42B 3/24 20130101; A42B 3/288 20130101; A62B
18/084 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/424 ; 2/422;
2/171.3 |
International
Class: |
A42B 001/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A helmet comprising: a head portion; a jaw shield connected to
the head portion, the jaw shield and head portion together defining
an inner space; a breathing mask disposed within the inner space,
the breathing mask being constructed and arranged to fit around a
nose and mouth of a wearer, a breathing space being defined within
the breathing mask; and a tubular air passageway fluidly connecting
the breathing space to an ambient environment, wherein the air
passageway extends forwardly and downwardly as it extends away from
the breathing space, and wherein an external end of the tubular air
passageway opens up to the ambient environment in a forward and
downward direction.
2. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the tubular air passageway mounts
to the jaw shield.
3. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the tubular air passageway
extends through the jaw shield.
4. The helmet of claim 3, wherein the tubular air passageway
extends through a generally forward middle portion of the jaw
shield.
5. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the tubular air passageway
defines a centerline that extends linearly from an inner end
thereof to an external end.
6. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising a check valve disposed
within the tubular air passageway, the check valve allowing air to
travel from the breathing space to the ambient environment but
discouraging air from traveling from the ambient environment to the
breathing space through the tubular air passageway.
7. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising an air deflector
positioned in front of the external end of the tubular air
passageway.
8. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising: an adjustable
connector connecting the breathing mask to the jaw shield along an
axial path that intersects a generally forward middle portion of
the jaw shield and that intersects a wearer's mouth and nose when
the wearer is wearing the helmet, adjustment operation of the
connector selectively moving the breathing mask (a) away from an
interior surface of the jaw shield and (b) toward the interior
surface of the jaw shield.
9. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising: an adjustable
connector connecting the breathing mask to the jaw shield along an
axial path that intersects a generally forward middle portion of
the jaw shield and that intersects a wearer's mouth and nose when
the wearer is wearing the helmet, the adjustable connector
comprising an axially-movable member having a bore defining at
least a portion of the tubular air passageway along an axis aligned
with the axial path, the breathing mask being connected to an inner
end of the axially-movable member; a knob disposed on the jaw
shield and connected to the axially-movable member for relative
rotation thereto about the axis defined by the axial path, the knob
having a first threaded portion aligned with the axial path; and a
second threaded portion associated with the axially-movable member,
the first and second threaded portions engaging each other such
that the second threaded portion is aligned with the axial path,
whereby rotation of the knob selectively moves the axially-movable
member and the breathing mask along the axial path.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/363,353, titled "COLD-WEATHER
HELMET," filed on Mar. 12, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/410,295, titled "COLD-WEATHER HELMET," filed on
Sep. 13, 2002, both of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a helmet that is particularly well
suited for cold-weather use.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] A prior art helmet comprises a head portion that protects
the head of a wearer, as a conventional helmet; a jaw shield, which
is integrated with and forms a projection with the head portion and
protects the lower part of the face of the wearer, more
particularly the jaw; and an eye shield, which is situated between
an upper front section of the head portion and an upper section of
the jaw shield to protect the face of the wearer.
[0006] Due to its structure, the helmet has a small interior
chamber. This interior chamber is usually insulated from the
atmosphere to protect the wearer from cold air. At a certain
temperature, water vapor in the humid air exhaled by the wearer
will create condensation. Because the temperature of the lens of
the eyeglasses of the operator wearing the helmet or the eye shield
of the helmet can reach the condensation point of the breath of the
wearer, water and/or ice will form on the eyeglass lens or on the
eye shield.
[0007] To avoid the problem of condensation, it is possible to open
the shield to allow outside air to flow into the helmet until the
condensation is eliminated. This, however, presents a problem in
that the wearer may be exposed to cold air, which is uncomfortable
at the very least. Furthermore, the wearer has to use one hand to
open the shield, which may be awkward when he or she is steering
the vehicle being driven. The shield could also involuntarily close
as a result of a sudden movement, which is potentially distracting.
Thus, there is a need to provide a device which is capable of
avoiding or eliminating the condensation created inside a full face
helmet. There is a further need to provide such a device with an
adjustment mechanism that can be manipulated by a wearer who is
wearing gloves to protect his/her hands from the cold
environment.
[0008] Prior art helmets provide some protection against the sun's
rays. However, the shield of prior art helmets is either clear or
tinted and adjustment of the tint is usually not possible. On a
bright sunny day, the wearer of a prior art helmet also must wear
tinted eyeglasses to protect himself against the intensity of
light, if the shield of his helmet is clear. In changing weather
conditions, the wearer may have to remove and/or replace his tinted
eyeglasses (or sunglasses) as the intensity of light changes. Thus,
a need has developed for a helmet with an adjustable tinted shield.
Because, as discussed above, the helmet wearer typically will wear
both gloves and a, helmet in a cold environment, there is a need to
provide a tinted shield adjustment mechanism that can be controlled
by the wearer while the wearer is wearing gloves.
[0009] Helmets that are adapted for cold-weather use are commonly
equipped with electrically-heated eye shields that prevent water
vapor from condensing and/or freezing on the eye shield. U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,694,650 and 5,500,953 illustrate two examples of such heated
eye shields. In each, an electric heating element extends across
the eye shield, which is pivotally or otherwise movably connected
to the helmet. The eye shield includes an electric connector that
connects to an external power supply via power supply leads. If the
wearer is riding a snowmobile, the power supply is typically the
snowmobile's battery. In these conventional heated eye shields, the
power supply leads act as tethers between the eye shield and the
power source and tend to disadvantageously move the heated eye
shield during use. There is therefore a need to provide an
electrical connection between a heated eye shield and an external
power source that does not tend to move the eye shield relative to
the helmet.
[0010] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/075,992, which published
on Aug. 8, 2002 as U.S. No. 2002/0104533 A1 and is incorporated by
reference herein, discloses another conventional helmet. The helmet
comprises a head portion, a shield portion, and a breathing mask.
The shield portion comprises a jaw shield and an eye shield. The
jaw shield is pivotally connected to the head portion and can be
pivoted downwardly into a closed position and upwardly into an open
position. The eye shield is pivotally connected to the head portion
and includes a see-through shield and a tinted shield. The tinted
shield is pivotally connected to the eye shield and can be lowered
inside the helmet to protect the wearer from sun rays and raised
into an upper, enclosed portion of the eye shield. The breathing
mask is hermetically adapted to the face of the wearer to evacuate
the wearer's breath outside the helmet through breathing channels
that extend laterally outwardly and rearwardly through the jaw
shield.
[0011] In summary, there are several deficiencies in prior art
helmets that necessitate an improved helmet design. This is
especially true for the design of helmets specifically intended for
cold weather use, such as for snowmobiling or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] One aspect of one or more embodiments of the present
invention provides an improved cold-weather helmet that includes a
variety of features that simplify and improve the helmet's ability
to function effectively in cold weather.
[0013] An additional aspect of one or more embodiments of the
present invention provides a helmet with features that can be
easily controlled using a gloved hand.
[0014] A further aspect of one or more embodiments of the present
invention provides a helmet with an easily adjustable breathing
mask.
[0015] A further aspect of one or more embodiments of the present
invention provides a helmet with a detachable jaw shield.
[0016] A further aspect of one or more embodiments of the present
invention provides a helmet with a heated eye shield with a power
source lead that does not interfere with the driver's positioning
of the eye shield.
[0017] A further aspect of one or more embodiments of the present
invention provides a helmet with an easily adjustable tinted
shield.
[0018] A further aspect of one or more embodiments of the present
invention provides a helmet that includes a head portion, a jaw
shield connected to the head portion. The jaw shield and head
portion together define an inner space. A breathing mask is
disposed within the inner space. The breathing mask is constructed
and arranged to fit around a nose and mouth of a wearer. A
breathing space is defined within the breathing mask. A tubular air
passageway fluidly connects the breathing space to an ambient
environment. The air passageway extends forwardly and downwardly as
it extends away from the breathing space. An external end of the
tubular air passageway opens up to the ambient environment in a
forward and downward direction.
[0019] According to a further aspect of one or more of these
embodiments, the tubular air passageway mounts to the jaw shield.
According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments,
the tubular air passageway extends through the jaw shield.
According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments,
the tubular air passageway extends through a generally forward
middle portion of the jaw shield.
[0020] According to a further aspect of one or more of these
embodiments, the tubular air passageway defines a centerline that
extends linearly from an inner end thereof to an external end.
[0021] According to a further aspect of one or more of these
embodiments, the helmet also includes a check valve disposed within
the tubular air passageway, the check valve allowing air to travel
from the breathing space to the ambient environment but
discouraging air from traveling from the ambient environment to the
breathing space through the tubular air passageway.
[0022] According to a further aspect of one or more of these
embodiments, the helmet also includes an air deflector positioned
in front of the external end of the tubular air passageway.
[0023] According to a further aspect of one or more of these
embodiments, the helmet also includes an adjustable connector
connecting the breathing mask to the jaw shield along an axial path
that intersects a generally forward middle portion of the jaw
shield and that intersects a wearer's mouth and nose when the
wearer is wearing the helmet. Adjustment operation of the connector
selectively moves the breathing mask (a) away from an interior
surface of the jaw shield and (b) toward the interior surface of
the jaw shield.
[0024] According to a further aspect of one or more of these
embodiments, the helmet also includes an adjustable connector
connecting the breathing mask to the jaw shield along an axial path
that intersects a generally forward middle portion of the jaw
shield and that intersects a wearer's mouth and nose when the
wearer is wearing the helmet. The adjustable connector includes an
axially-movable member having a bore defining at least a portion of
the tubular air passageway along an axis aligned with the axial
path, the breathing mask being connected to an inner end of the
axially-movable member. The adjustable connector further includes a
knob disposed on the jaw shield and connected to the
axially-movable member for relative rotation thereto about the axis
defined by the axial path, the knob having a first threaded portion
aligned with the axial path. The adjustable connector also includes
a second threaded portion associated with the axially-movable
member, the first and second threaded portions engaging each other
such that the second threaded portion is aligned with the axial
path. Rotation of the knob selectively moves the axially-movable
member and the breathing mask along the axial path.
[0025] Additional and/or alternative objects, features, and
advantages of the embodiments of the present invention will become
apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings,
and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] For a better understanding of the present invention as well
as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to
the following description which is to be used in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, where:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a right side view of a helmet according to one
embodiment of the present invention with a tinted shield and eye
shield removed;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a front view of the helmet of FIG. 1 with the
detachable jaw shield removed;
[0029] FIG. 3 is right side view of the helmet of FIG. 1 with the
detachable jaw shield partially removed and the tinted shield and
eye shield fully removed;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a front view of the detachable jaw shield of the
helmet of FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a front view of the detachable jaw shield of the
helmet of FIG. 1 with the cover removed;
[0032] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the detachable jaw shield,
breathing mask, and mask adjustment mechanism of the helmet of FIG.
1;
[0033] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the breathing mask
and mask adjustment mechanism of the helmet of FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 8 is a left side view of the helmet of FIG. 1 with the
detachable jaw shield removed;
[0035] FIG. 8A is a partial cross-sectional view of the eye shield
and the jaw shield of the helmet of FIG. 1 with the eye shield in
its lowered position.
[0036] FIG. 9 is a partial side view of the tinted shield of the
helmet of FIG. 1 showing the inner left side of one end of the
tinted shield;
[0037] FIG. 10 is a partial left side view of the helmet of FIG. 1
with the eye shield removed;
[0038] FIG. 11 is a partial left side view of the helmet of FIG. 1
with both the eye shield and the tinted shield removed;
[0039] FIG. 12 is a partial side view of the eye shield of the
helmet of FIG. 1, showing the inner right side of the eye
shield;
[0040] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a helmet according to an
additional embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of a detachable jaw
shield portion of the helmet of FIG. 13;
[0042] FIG. 14A is a partial cross-sectional view of the detachable
jaw shield portion of FIG. 14, taken along the line 14A-14A in FIG.
14;
[0043] FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of a detachable jaw
shield portion of the helmet of FIG. 13;
[0044] FIG. 16 is a side view of the helmet of FIG. 13 with the
detachable jaw shield portion attached and an eye shield in a
lowered position;
[0045] FIG. 17 is a front view of the helmet of FIG. 13 with the
detachable jaw shield portion attached and the eye shield in a
raised position;
[0046] FIG. 18 is a front, right perspective view of the helmet of
FIG. 13 with the detachable jaw shield portion mostly attached and
the eye shield in the raised position;
[0047] FIG. 19 is a front right perspective of the helmet of FIG.
13 with the detachable jaw shield portion partially attached and
the eye shield in the raised position;
[0048] FIG. 20 is a front view of the helmet of FIG. 13 with the
detachable jaw shield portion partially attached and the eye shield
in the raised position;
[0049] FIG. 21 is a front view of the helmet of FIG. 13 with the
detachable jaw shield portion detached and the eye shield in the
raised position;
[0050] FIG. 22 is a partial top view of a breathing mask and
breathing mask adjustment mechanism of the helmet of FIG. 1;
[0051] FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional view of the breathing
mask and breathing mask adjustment mechanism, taken along the line
23-23 in FIG. 22;
[0052] FIG. 24 is a side view of a person wearing the helmet of
FIG. 1;
[0053] FIG. 25 is a side view of a helmet having a tinted shield
holding device with the tinted shield in a lowered position
according to an alternative embodiment of the present
invention;
[0054] FIG. 26 is a side view of the helmet of FIG. 25 with the
tinted shield in a raised position;
[0055] FIG. 27 is a side view of a helmet with a mask adjustment
mechanism according to an alternative embodiment of the present
invention;
[0056] FIG. 28 is a partial exploded side view of the mask
adjustment mechanism of FIG. 27;
[0057] FIG. 29 is a partial perspective view of the mask adjustment
mechanism of FIG. 27; and
[0058] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an eye shield of a helmet
according to an alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0059] Before delving into the specific details of the present
invention, it should be noted that the conventions "left," "right,"
"front," "rear," "up," and "down" are defined relative to the head
of a wearer of a helmet. For example, a "forward" direction is the
direction in which the wearer looks while wearing a helmet.
[0060] FIG. 1 is a side view of a helmet 10 according to the
present invention. The helmet 10 includes a head portion 20 that is
adapted to protect a majority of the wearer's head. A jaw shield 30
connects to a lower forward portion of the head portion 20. The
head portion 20 and jaw shield 30 together define an inner space 34
that is shaped to accommodate the head of the wearer. The inner
space 34 opens to the exterior of the helmet 10 at a
semi-crescent-shaped opening 36 in front of the wearer's eyes when
the wearer wears the helmet 10. The opening 36 is defined between a
forward edge of the head portion 20 and an upper edge of the jaw
shield 30.
[0061] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the jaw shield 30 includes a
fixed portion 40 and a detachable portion 42. Referring to FIG. 2,
the fixed portion 40 includes left and right sides/portions 44, 46
that extend forwardly and laterally inwardly toward each other from
left and right forward lower sides, respectively, of the head
portion 20. The sides 44, 46 of the fixed portion 40 generally from
a convex arc around the inner space 34. In the illustrated
embodiment, the sides 44, 46 are integrally formed with the head
portion 20. However, the sides 44, 46 may alternatively be formed
separately from the head portion 20 and then rigidly attached to
the head portion 20. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a
laterally-extending pin 47 extends between lower portions of the
left and right forward, inner sides 48, 49 of the left and right
portions 44, 46 of the fixed portion 40.
[0062] A detachable portion 42 receiving opening is defined between
the inner sides 48, 49, an upper edge of the pin 47, and a lower
edge of the semi-crescent-shaped opening 36. The receiving opening
is adapted to be disposed generally in front of a mouth and nose of
the wearer of the helmet 10.
[0063] The detachable portion 42 has an attached position (see FIG.
1) where the detachable portion 42 is rigidly held at a lower,
front, middle portion of the helmet 10 (i.e., in the receiving
opening for the detachable portion 42). The detachable portion 42
also has a detached position in which the detachable portion 42 is
not rigidly attached to the helmet 10 (see FIGS. 2, 4). However,
even in the detached position, the detachable portion 42 may be
tethered to the rest of the helmet 10 via a tether cord (not
shown).
[0064] The detachable portion 42 is selectively attached to the
fixed portion 40 using a separable hinge 50 and a latch mechanism
52. Details of the latch mechanism 52 are provided in FIG. 5.
[0065] The separable hinge 50 includes two parts. One part is
defined by the pin 47, which preferably has a round cross-section.
The other part is a C-shaped clip 56 that is attached to a lower,
laterally-centered portion of the detachable portion 42 (see FIG.
5). The clip 56 extends laterally along the detachable portion 42
over a width that preferably generally corresponds to an exposed
laterally-extending length of the pin 47. The cross-section of the
clip 56, as it extends laterally, is defined by the C-shape. The
opening of the "C" preferably aims generally forwardly and slightly
downwardly when the detachable portion 42 is in the attached
position.
[0066] While in the illustrated embodiment, the pin 47 is disposed
on the fixed portion 40 and the C-shaped clip 56 is disposed on the
detachable portion 42, the relative positions of the pin 47 and
clip 56 may be interposed without deviating from the scope of the
present invention. Furthermore, because other types of separable
hinges may also be used, the present invention is not limited to
the hinge 50 described.
[0067] As best illustrated in FIG. 3, to engage the two parts of
the separable hinge 50, the detachable portion 42 is aimed
forwardly and downwardly in front of the fixed portion 40. The clip
56 is moved downwardly such that the C-shape engages the pin 47.
The detachable portion 42 can thereafter be pivoted upwardly and
rearwardly toward the inner space 34 about a pivot axis defined by
the pin 47. When the detachable portion 42 is pivoted fully into
its attached position, the latch mechanism 52 automatically rigidly
engages upper portions of the fixed and detachable portions 40, 42
to prevent the detachable portion 42 from pivoting away from the
fixed portion 40. The engagement between the outer lateral sides of
the detachable portion 42 and the sides 48, 49 of the fixed portion
40 prevents the C-shaped clip 56 from moving rearwardly relative to
the pin 47, thereby preventing the separable hinge 50 from
separating.
[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, the sides 48, 49 and pin 47
of the fixed portion 40 generally form a U shape. The lower edge of
the detachable portion 42 also forms a U shape that mates with the
U shape of the sides 48, 49 and pin 47. Alternatively, the
intersection between the fixed and detachable portions 40, 42 may
take on a variety of other shapes (see, e.g., the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 13-21).
[0069] The latch mechanism 52 will now be described with reference
to FIGS. 2 and 5. FIG. 5 is a partial front view of the detachable
portion 42 with a front cover 60 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) removed. The
two lateral sides of the latch mechanism 52 are mirror images of
each other in the embodiment shown. Accordingly, only the left side
will be described because the description applies to the right side
as well. The left side of the latch mechanism 52 includes a lever
62 that is pivotally connected to the detachable portion 42 so that
the lever 62 may move in the direction indicated by the arrows. A
resilient member (i.e., a spring, etc.) 64 extends between the
lever 62 and the detachable portion 42 to bias the lever 62
laterally outwardly (clockwise as shown in FIG. 5). A hook arm 66
is pivotally connected to the detachable portion 42 about a
generally horizontal axis so that the hook arm 66 may move in the
directions indicated by the arrows. A resilient member 67 (i.e., a
torsion spring, a tension spring, etc.) extends between the hook
arm 66 and the detachable portion 42 to bias a downwardly-pointing
hook 68, which is formed at a laterally outward and rearward end of
the hook arm 66, downwardly into an engaged position
(counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 5). The hook 68 is generally
disposed at an upper, rearward, laterally-outward end of the
detachable portion 42.
[0070] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the latch mechanism 52 further
includes a slot (or catch plate) 78 disposed at an upper end of the
inner side 48 of the left portion 44 (and of the right portion 46)
of the fixed portion 40.
[0071] To engage the latch mechanism 52, the separable hinge 50 is
engaged and the detachable portion 42 is rotated upwardly toward
the inner space 34. The hooks 68 abut lower edges of the slots 78
when the detachable portion 42 is rotated almost fully upwardly.
The abutting contact pushes the hooks 68 upwardly against the
biasing force of the resilient members 67, thereby allowing the
hooks 68 to pass into the slots 78. The hooks 68 thereafter rotate
downwardly, under the biasing force of the resilient members 67, to
engage the slots 78 and rigidly hold the detachable portion 42
against the fixed portion 40 when in the attached position.
[0072] To release the latch mechanism 52, the wearer depresses two
triangularly-shaped protrusions 80 on the levers 62
laterally-inwardly. The levers 62 and protrusions 80 are positioned
to enable a wearer to depress both levers 62 laterally inwardly by
squeezing the protrusions 80 together with a single hand. The
resulting inward lateral movement of the levers 62 causes the
levers 62 to engage second arms 82 on the hook arms 66, thereby
rotating the hook arms 66 and hooks 68 upwardly into a disengaged
position relative to the slots 78. The detachable portion 42 can
thereafter be freely rotated outwardly and downwardly away from the
inner space 34 to allow the wearer to separate the separable hinge
50 and detach the detachable portion 42 from the fixed portion
40.
[0073] Because the latch mechanism 52 includes two independently
operating hooks 68, the accidental actuation of just one of the
hooks 68 will not release the latch mechanism 52. This safety
feature prevents the latch mechanism 52 from accidentally releasing
during use of the helmet 10.
[0074] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, the cover 60 of the
detachable portion 42 forms the forward side of the detachable
portion 42. The protrusions 80 extend forwardly through
triangularly shaped holes 83 on either lateral side of the cover
60.
[0075] While the illustrated latch mechanism 52 utilizes left and
right sets of hooks 68 and slots 78, various other types of latch
mechanisms may also be used to releasably secure the detachable
portion 42 to the fixed portion 40 without departing from the scope
of the present invention. For example, the connection could be
magnetic, rather than mechanical.
[0076] When the detachable portion 42 is in the attached position,
rearward laterally-outward ends of the detachable portion 42 engage
sealing strips 90 disposed on the forward inner sides 48, 49 of the
fixed portion 40 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The sealing strips 90
preferably comprise an elastically deformable material such as foam
or rubber. The sealing strips 90 discourage cold air from entering
the inner space 34 of the helmet 10 between the detachable and
fixed portions 42, 40 of the jaw shield 30.
[0077] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, a breathing mask 200 is
adjustably connected to the detachable portion 40 of the jaw shield
30 via an adjustment mechanism 210. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of
the detachable portion 42, the breathing mask 200, and the mask
adjustment mechanism 210. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a control knob
212 connects to the detachable portion 42 for free rotation
relative to the detachable portion 42 about an axis 214. However,
the connection between the knob 212 and the detachable portion 42
prevents the knob from moving along the axis 214 relative to the
detachable portion 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the knob 212
is specifically connected to the cover 60 of the detachable portion
42, but may alternatively be connected to the main body of the
detachable portion 42. The axis 214 intersects a generally forward,
middle portion of the detachable portion 42 of the jaw shield 30
and generally intersects the wearer's mouth and nose when the
wearer is wearing the helmet 10. The knob 212 includes a central,
internally-threaded bore 216 that is aligned with the axis 214.
[0078] As illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, 22, and 23 an outer axial
member 220 of the mask adjustment mechanism 210 includes, on its
outer semi-cylindrical surface, an externally-threaded portion 221
that is threaded into the internally threaded bore 216 (see FIG. 6)
of the control knob 212 such that the outer axial member 220
connects to the jaw shield 30 via its connection to the knob 212.
The outer axial member 220 is aligned with the axis 214.
[0079] The outer axial member 220 includes an inner axially
extending bore 222 that extends along the axis 214 such that the
outer axial member 220 generally comprises a hollow,
axially-extending tube that has a generally ring-shaped
cross-section.
[0080] An inner axial member 230 includes an outer
generally-cylindrical surface that telescopically fits into the
bore 222 of the outer axial member 220. The inner axial member 230
also includes an internal axially-extending bore 232 that is
aligned with the axis 214 when the inner axial member 230 is fit
into the outer axial member 220.
[0081] As illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, 22, and 23, the outer
semi-cylindrical surface of the inner axial member 230 includes an
axially-extending surface feature/stop (a flat portion in the
illustrated embodiment) 234 that engages a corresponding
axially-extending surface feature/stop 236 (also a flat portion in
the illustrated embodiment) formed on the inside of the bore 222 of
the outer axial member 220 to prevent the axial members 220, 230
from rotating relative to each other about the axis 214, while
allowing the axial members 220, 230 to telescopically axially slide
relative to each other.
[0082] As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 22, and 23, the outer
semi-cylindrical surface of the inner axial member 230 and the
inside semi-cylindrical surface of the bore 222 of the outer axial
member 220 also include annular stops 240 (such as notches and/or
protrusions) that discourage relative telescopic movement between
the axial members 220, 230 along the axis 214.
[0083] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 23, a rearward axial end 244
of the inner axial member 230 flares radially-outwardly and
rearwardly in the shape of a funnel. The breathing mask 200
includes a central bore 250 that is slightly larger than the
generally-cylindrical outer surface of the inner axial member 230.
The inner axial member 230 extends forwardly through the central
bore 250 of the breathing mask 200. An annular, saucer-shaped,
breathing mask clamp 256 also fits over the inner axial member 230
to clamp the breathing mask 200 onto the rearward axial end of the
inner axial member 230 between the flared rearward axial end 244
and the breathing mask clamp 256. The breathing mask 200 cannot,
therefore, move along the axis 214 relative to the inner axial
member 230. Because the rearward axial end 244 and the breathing
mask clamp 256 are both somewhat flexible, the breathing mask 200
can swivel relative to the inner axial member 230. In other words,
the breathing mask 200 can pivot to some extent relative to the
inner axial member 230. The breathing mask 200 can therefore swivel
to fit the face of the wearer.
[0084] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a ring-shaped upper end of an
accordion-folded connector 260 is clamped between the flared
rearward axial end 244 and the breathing mask clamp 256 in addition
to the breathing mask 200. The connector 260 is either rigidly
clamped to the inner axial member 230 or includes a notch that
engages a corresponding protrusion in the inner axial member to
prevent the upper end the connector 260 from rotating relative to
the inner axial member 230. The locations of the notch and
protrusion, of course, may be interposed. The connector 260
preferably comprises a piece of sheet metal that is folded in an
accordion pattern, which provides at least a moderate amount of
flexibility. A lower end of the connector 260 is rigidly connected
to the detachable portion 42. Consequently, the connector 260
generally prevents the inner axial member 230 from significantly
rotating relative to the detachable portion 42 about the axis
214.
[0085] The connector 260 may alternatively comprise a variety of
other shapes and materials. For example, the connector 260 may
simply comprise a string or tether that connects between the
breathing mask 200 and the detachable jaw portion 42 to discourage
the mask 200 from rotating relative to the detachable portion 42
about the axis 214. Furthermore, while the illustrated connector
260 comprises an accordion-shaped sheet of metal, the connector 260
may alternatively comprise a variety of other materials such as
rubber, another elastomeric material, string, plastic, etc.
[0086] The mask adjustment mechanism 210 includes both fine and
gross adjustment devices. The adjustment devices each move the
breathing mask 200 along an axial path defined by the axis 214 such
that the breathing mask 200 can move (a) away from an interior
surface of the jaw shield 30 and toward the mouth and nose of the
wearer and (b) toward the interior surface of the jaw shield 30 and
away from the mouth and nose of the wearer. Unlike prior art
breathing mask adjustment devices that rely on flexible straps and
the wearer's face to hold the breathing mask in place, the mask
adjustment mechanism 210 controls the position of the breathing
mask 200 relative to the jaw shield 30 regardless of whether or not
the wearer is wearing the helmet 10. Consequently, the mask
adjustment mechanism 210 can hold the breathing mask 200 in front
of the wearer's nose and mouth while the wearer is wearing the
helmet 10 without having the breathing mask 200 come in contact
with the wearer.
[0087] Gross adjustment of the breathing mask is performed by
pushing or pulling the breathing mask 200 along the axis 214,
thereby forcing the axial members 220, 230 to telescopically move
relative to each other despite the frictional resistance to such
telescopic movement created by the annular stops 240 on the axial
members 220, 230. Gross adjustment can be performed while the
detachable portion 42 is detached from the helmet 10, when the
detachable portion 42 is pivotally connected to the helmet 10 but
not in the attached position, or when the detachable portion 42 is
in the attached position.
[0088] Once the gross adjustment of the breathing mask 200 is
completed, the wearer uses the knob 212 to finely adjust the axial
position of the breathing mask 200. Fine adjustment is preferably
performed while the wearer is wearing the helmet 10 and the
detachable portion 42 is in the attached position such that the
wearer can accurately and precisely position the breathing mask 200
against his/her mouth and nose to prevent humid exhaled air from
escaping out of the breathing mask 200 into the inner space 34 of
the helmet 10.
[0089] The knob 212 preferably includes surface features such as
protrusions and/or notches 268 (see FIG. 4) that make it easier for
the wearer to turn the knob 212 with his/her gloved hand. By
rotating the knob 212 with his/her hand, the threaded engagement
between the outer axial member 220 and the knob 212 causes the
outer axial member 220 (and consequently the inner axial member 230
and the breathing mask 200) to move along the axial path. The knob
212 may be rotated in either direction, resulting in movement of
the breathing mask 200 toward or away from the inner surface of the
detachable portion 42. The pitch of the threads on the outer axial
member 220 and the bore 216 determine the magnitude of axial
movement of the breathing mask 200 per degree of rotation of the
knob 212. If right-hand threads are used on the knob 212 and outer
axial member 220, clockwise rotation of the knob 212 (as viewed in
FIG. 4) will push the breathing mask 200 outwardly toward the
interior surface of the detachable portion 42 and away from the
wearer's mouth and nose.
[0090] For rotation of the knob 212 to force the outer axial member
220 to move axially, the outer axial member 220 should not rotate
significantly with the knob 212. The outer axial member 220 is
therefore prevented from rotating significantly with the knob 212
because of the rotational engagement of the outer axial member 220
with the inner axial member 230, which is prevented from
significantly rotating relative to the detachable portion 42 by the
connector 260. It should be noted that other systems may
alternatively be used to prevent the outer axial member 220 from
rotating with the knob 212. For example, an axially extending notch
or protrusion could be formed in the outer axial member 220 and
mate with a radially-inwardly extending notch or protrusion that is
rigidly connected to the detachable portion 42. Such mating
notches/protrusions would directly prevent the outer axial member
220 from rotating relative to the detachable portion 42.
Alternatively, the helmet 10 could rely on a general contact
between the wearer's face and the breathing mask 200 to prevent the
breathing mask 200 (and, consequently, the outer and inner axial
members 220, 230) from significantly rotating relative to the
detachable portion 42 during operation of the fine adjustment
device.
[0091] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, left and right inlet air
passageways (or openings) 262 are formed in the breathing mask 200
to fluidly connect the inner space 34 of the helmet 10 to an inner
portion (or breathing space) 264 of the breathing mask 200 and
allow the wearer to inhale air from within the inner space 34.
Check valves 265 disposed within the inlet air passages 262
discourage humid exhaled air from entering the inner space 34 and
condensing within the helmet 10. Because the wearer inhales air
from within the inner space 34, the inhaled air is at least
slightly warmed (relative to the ambient environment) and air
continuously circulates into and out of the inner space 34. Fresh
air enters the inner space 34 through any openings/gaps in the
helmet 10, especially at the neck of the wearer. While the
illustrated air inlet passageways 262 are quite short (i.e.,
extending only over the thickness of the breathing mask 200), the
air inlet passageways 262 may alternatively comprise elongated
tubular passageways that have a variety of lengths and/or
cross-sections.
[0092] The internal bore 232 in the inner axial member 230 and the
internal bore 222 of the outer axial member 220 combine to define
an exhaust air passageway (or opening) 266. The exhaust air
passageway 266 fluidly connects the inner portion 264 of the
breathing mask 200 to the ambient environment to allow humid air
exhaled by the wearer to vent outwardly without getting into the
inner space 34 of the helmet 10. As illustrated in FIG. 6, a check
valve 267 is disposed in the exhaust air passageway 266 to prevent
ambient air outside the helmet 10 from entering the mask 200
through the exhaust air passageway 266. While the illustrated
exhaust air passageway 266 comprises an elongated tube, the
passageway 266 may alternatively be short in an axial direction.
While the cross-sectional shape of the exhaust air passageway 266
is generally circular in this embodiment, the exhaust air
passageway 266 may have a variety of alternative tubular shapes
(for example, rectangular, oval, irregular, polygonal, or varying
shapes) without deviating from the scope of the present
invention.
[0093] The center of the exhaust air passageway 266 extends along
the axis 214. As illustrated in FIG. 24, when a person 269 wears
the helmet 10, the axis 214 and the exhaust air passage 266 angle
downwardly as the air passageway projects away from the mouth and
nose of the person 269. Because an external end 266a of the exhaust
air passageway 266 is disposed below an internal end 266b of the
exhaust air passageway 266, humid exhaled air that condenses in the
exhaust air passageway 266 will tend to flow under the force of
gravity down the exhaust air passageway 266 and out of the external
end 266a. The external end 266a opens up to the ambient environment
in a forward and downward direction. Consequently, condensed water
will tend not to accumulate or freeze within the passageway
266.
[0094] While the illustrated exhaust air passageway 266 extends
linearly such that the axis 214 defines its center, exhaust air
passageways according to the present invention may have a variety
of alternative longitudinal shapes (e.g., center lines that include
simple or compound curves, irregular shapes, angles, etc.).
Regardless of the specific longitudinal shape of the exhaust air
passageway, the air passageway should generally extend downwardly
as it extends away from the wearer's face so that condensed water
tends to flow out of the air passageway.
[0095] To discourage fresh air from being forced into the exhaust
air passageway 266 as the wearer travels forwardly on a vehicle, an
air deflector 270 (see FIGS. 1 and 6) fits into the inner bore 222
of the outer axial member 220 and is positioned in front of the
external end 266a of the exhaust air passageway 266 to deflect air
away from the exhaust air passageway 266. The air deflector 270 is
open on its sides to allow exhaled air to exit the exhaust air
passageway 266. The air deflector 270 and the exhaust air check
valve 267 combine to generally discourage ambient fresh air from
entering the exhaust air passageway 266. Consequently, more warm
exhaled air than cold ambient air moves through the exhaust air
passageway 266, which generally raises the temperature within the
exhaust air passageway 266 and discourages the humid exhaust air
from condensing and freezing within the exhaust air passageway 266.
This discourages ice from building up within and clogging the
exhaust air passageway 266.
[0096] While separate exhaust and inlet air passageways 262, 266
are preferred, the inlet air passageways 262 and check valves 265,
267 may be eliminated such that the exhaust air passageway 266
serves as a passageway for both inlet/fresh air and exhaled humid
air without deviating from the scope of the present invention.
[0097] Various modifications to the mask adjustment mechanism 210
may be made without deviating from the scope of the present
invention. For example, just one of the two adjustment devices
(telescopic/rotational) may be used. Further, the knob 212 may be
coupled to the outer axial member 220 instead of to the detachable
portion 42. In such an embodiment, the knob 212 may freely rotate
relative to the outer axial member 220, but be prevented from
moving axially relative to the outer axial member 220. The knob 212
may include external threads that would mesh with internal threads
rigidly formed in a bore in the detachable portion 42. Additional
changes and modifications may also be made to the mask adjustment
mechanism 210 without departing from the scope of the present
invention, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the
art.
[0098] As illustrated in FIG. 8, a tinted shield 400 is pivotally
connected by left and right bolts 401 to the head portion 20 for
pivotal movement relative to the head portion 20 about a laterally
extending tinted shield axis 402. The tinted shield 400 is
pivotally movable between (a) a raised position, in which the
tinted shield 400 is at least partially above the opening 36 and
substantially out of the wearer's field of vision (as shown in FIG.
8), and (b) a lowered position, in which the tinted shield 400 is
disposed in the semi-crescent shaped opening 36 in front of the
wearer's eyes.
[0099] As illustrated in FIG. 9, a resilient member 405 connects
between the tinted shield 400 and the head portion 20 to bias the
tinted shield into its raised position. Alternatively, the
resilient member 405 could connect between the tinted shield 400
and an eye shield 500. The illustrated resilient member 405 is a
torsion spring that is pre-tensioned before the tinted shield 400
is mounted to the head portion 20. When the tinted shield 400 is
mounted to the head portion 20, the torsion spring 405 urges the
tinted shield 400 upwardly (clockwise as illustrated in FIG. 10)
into its raised position so that the tinted shield 400 will not
fall into its lowered position under the force of gravity or some
jostling movement.
[0100] In the illustrated embodiment, the tinted shield 400
comprises a semi-spherical semi-crescent shaped tinted see-through
portion 403 with left and right sides 404 riveted or otherwise
attached to the laterally-outer ends of the see-through portion
403. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lower edge of the tinted shield
400 generally follows the contours of the upper edge of the jaw
shield 30.
[0101] FIG. 9 is a partial side view of the left inside of the
tinted shield 400 with the tinted shield removed from the helmet
10. A hole 406 through which the bolt 401 fits is disposed through
the left side 404 of the tinted shield 400 and aligned with the
axis 402 when the tinted shield 400 is mounted to the helmet
10.
[0102] As best illustrated in FIG. 10, a holding device 411 is
disposed between the tinted shield 400 and the head portion 20 to
selectively hold the tinted shield 400 in its lowered position
despite the raising force being applied to the tinted shield 400 by
the resilient member 405.
[0103] The illustrated holding device 411 includes a rectangular
tooth-anchor 410 that is formed on the left side 404 of the tinted
shield 400. The long edges of the rectangular tooth-anchor 410 are
generally perpendicular to a line that connects between the axis
402 and a middle of the long edges of the rectangular tooth-anchor
410. The tooth-anchor 410 is radially spaced from the axis 402. As
illustrated in FIG. 9, the holding device 411 includes a plurality
of ratchet teeth 416 disposed on the tooth-anchor 410. When the
tinted shield 400 is mounted to the helmet 10, the shallowly-sloped
sides of the ratchet teeth 416 face rearwardly and the
steeply-sloped sides of the teeth 416 face forwardly. The teeth 416
are generally aligned with a forward small edge 412 of the
tooth-anchor 410.
[0104] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the holding device 411 further
includes a plurality of ratchet teeth 420 disposed on an outer
lateral side of the head portion 20 radially outwardly from the
tinted shield axis 402. The steeply-sloped sides of the ratchet
teeth 420 face forwardly and slightly downwardly while the
shallowly-sloped sides of the ratchet teeth 420 face rearwardly and
slightly upwardly.
[0105] The teeth 420 are positioned so as to not engage the teeth
416 when the tinted shield 400 is in its raised position. However,
when the tinted shield is pivoted toward and into the lowered
position, the ratchet teeth 420 are positioned to engage the
ratchet teeth 416 of the tinted shield 400. When the teeth 416, 420
meet each other, their respective shallowly-sloped sides first
engage each other, thereby forcing the teeth 416 outwardly. Because
the left side 404 of the tinted shield 400 is made of a flexible
material such as plastic, the rectangular tooth-anchor 410 flexes
outwardly (generally about the small edge 412) away from the head
portion 420. The outward movement of the tooth-anchor 410 enables
the teeth 416 to slide over the teeth 420 until the tooth-anchor
410 flexes back into its unflexed position, at which point the
steeply-sloped sides of the teeth 416 engage the steeply-sloped
sides of the teeth 420 to prevent the tinted shield 400 from
rotating back into its raised position despite the raising force
being applied to the tinted shield 400 by the resilient member
405.
[0106] Because there are a plurality of teeth 416, 420, a plurality
of lowered positions of the tinted shield 400 are defined, one
lowered position for each possible combination of mating teeth 416,
420.
[0107] A variety of other types of holding devices may be used
instead of the illustrated ratchet-teeth-based holding device, as
would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. For
example, FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrates a helmet 1000 that includes an
alternative holding device 1010. The holding device 1010 may
replace the holding device 411 of the helmet 10 without deviating
from the scope of the present invention. Because the helmet 1000 is
similar to the helmet 10, a redundant description of each of the
similar elements is omitted. The helmet 1000 includes a head
portion 1020, a jaw shield 1030, an eye shield 1040, and a tinted
shield 1050 disposed between the head portion 1020 and the eye
shield 1040.
[0108] The tinted shield 1050 is pivotally connected to the head
portion 1020 for pivotal movement relative to the head portion 20
about a laterally extending tinted shield axis 1060. The tinted
shield 1050 is pivotally movable between (a) a raised position, in
which the tinted shield 1050 is at least partially above an opening
1070 formed between the head portion 1020 and the jaw shield 1030
and substantially out of the wearer's field of vision (as shown in
FIG. 26), and (b) a lowered position, in which the tinted shield
1050 is disposed in the semi-crescent shaped opening 1070 in front
of the wearer's eyes (as shown in FIG. 25).
[0109] A resilient member 1080 connects between the tinted shield
1050 and the head portion 1020 to bias the tinted shield 1050 into
its raised position. In this embodiment, the resilient member 1080
is a resilient plastic spring that is connected at one end to the
head portion 1020 and at an opposite end to the tinted shield 1050.
Because the plastic spring 1080 is resiliently bent around a base
portion of the tinted shield 1050, the spring 1080 biases the
tinted shield into its raised position. While the illustrated
resilient member 1080 is a plastic spring, a variety of other
resilient members may alternatively be used to bias the tinted
shield 1050 upwardly (for example, a torsion spring such as the
resilient member 405 illustrated in FIG. 9, a rubber band or other
tensile piece of rubber, a tension spring, a compression spring,
etc.).
[0110] The holding device 1010 is disposed between the eye shield
1040 and the head portion. The holding device 1010 selectively
holds the tinted shield 1050 in its lowered position despite the
raising force being applied to the tinted shield 1050 by the
resilient member 1080.
[0111] The holding device 1010 includes a lever 1090 and a detent
1100, which selectively engage each other to hold the tinted shield
in the lowered position.
[0112] The lever 1090 extends upwardly from one side of the tinted
shield 1050. The illustrated lever 1090 is integrally formed with
the base portion of the tinted shield 1050, but may alternatively
be otherwise attached to the tinted shield 1050 (via, for example,
glue, bolts, screws, rivets, etc.). The lever 1090 pivots with the
tinted shield 1050 about the tinted shield axis 1060 relative to
the head portion 1020. The lever 1090 comprises a flexible material
that enables an upper portion of the lever 1090 to flex in the
direction of the tinted shield axis (into and out of the page as
illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26).
[0113] The detent 1100 protrudes inwardly from an upper rearward
portion of the eye shield 1040 toward the head portion 1020. In the
illustrated embodiment, the detent 1100 is integrally formed with
the eye shield 1040. However, the detent may alternatively be
otherwise attached to the eye shield 1040 (via, for example, glue,
bolts, screws, rivets, etc.). A forward surface 1100a of the detent
1100 abuts against a rearward surface 1090a of the lever 1090 to
prevent the tinted shield from moving from its lowered position
into its raised position when the eye shield 1040 is lowered. When
the eye shield 1040 and tinted shield 1050 are both in their
lowered positions (see FIG. 25), raising the eye shield 1040 into
its raised position pivots the detent 1100 rearwardly away from the
lever 1090, which allows the tinted shield 1050 to move into its
raised position under the force of the resilient member 1080.
[0114] When the eye shield 1040 and tinted shield 1050 are both in
their lowered positions (see FIG. 25), the tinted shield 1040 may
be raised without raising the eye shield 1050 by pressing the
upper, exposed portion of the lever 1090 inwardly toward the head
portion 1020. Pressing the lever 1090 inwardly causes its upper
portion to flex inwardly and its rearward surface 1090a to
disengage from the forward surface 1100a and pivot rearwardly past
the forward surface 1100a. This, in turn, allows the tinted shield
1050 to move into its raised position (see FIG. 26).
[0115] A rearward surface 1100b of the detent 1100 angles inwardly
toward the head portion 1020 as it progresses forwardly toward the
forward surface 1100a. Consequently, the detent 100 has a generally
ramp-like shape when viewed from above. When the eye shield is in
the lowered position and the tinted shield is in its raise position
(see FIG. 26), the wearer can lower the tinted shield 1050 by
pushing the exposed portion of the lever 1090 forward
(counterclockwise as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26). As the lever 1090
passes the detent, the ramp-like, rearward surface 1090b flexes the
lever 1090 inwardly so that it can slide past the detent 1100. Once
the rearward surface of the lever 1090 moves in front of the
forward surface 1100a of the detent 1100, the lever 1090 flexes
outwardly and engages the detent 1100 to hold the tinted shield
1050 in its lowered position.
[0116] The illustrated detent 1100 is mounted to the eye shield
1040 such that the holding device 1010 controls relative movement
between the tinted shield 1050 and the eye shield 1040. However,
the detent could alternatively be mounted to the head portion such
that the holding device would control the position of the tinted
shield relative to the head portion (see, e.g., the holding device
411). In such an embodiment, the wearer would push the lever
outwardly rather than inwardly to raise the tinted shield.
[0117] Hereinafter, the tinted shield control lever 450 will be
described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. The lever 450 is
pivotally connected to the head portion 20 for rotation relative to
the head portion 20 about a laterally-extending lever axis 452.
However, it should be noted that the lever 450 could alternatively
pivot about the tinted shield axis 402 without deviating from the
scope of the present invention.
[0118] Returning to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, as
illustrated in FIG. 11, an oblong hole 460 in the lever 450 fits
over a protrusion 462 on the head portion 20 that defines the
tinted shield axis 402. Consequently, the lever is constrained by
the hole 460 and protrusion 462 to pivotal movement over a fixed,
preferably acute arc. A resilient member 470 connects between the
lever 450 and the head portion 20 to bias the lever 450 into a
neutral position that is part way between the extreme pivotal
positions of the lever 450 over the fixed arc. The resilient member
470 is illustrated as a bi-directional torsion spring, but could
alternatively comprise any other type of resilient member such as a
rubber/elastic band, a tension spring, a compression spring, a
combination of several resilient members, etc. The lever 450
includes a handle portion 472 designed to be grasped by the
wearer's gloved hand. The handle portion 472 can be pulled
downwardly to pivot the lever 450 downwardly (counterclockwise as
shown in FIG. 11) relative to the neutral position in a tinted
shield 400 lowering direction. Conversely, the handle portion 472
can be pushed upwardly to pivot the lever 450 upwardly (clockwise
as shown in FIG. 11), relative to the neutral position, in a tinted
shield 400 raising direction.
[0119] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the lever 450 includes a lowering
hole 476. An inwardly-extending lowering protrusion 478 formed on
the inside of the left side 404 of the tinted shield 400 (see FIG.
9) fits into the lowering hole 476 when the tinted shield 400 is
mounted to the helmet 10. Consequently, when the lever 450 is moved
in the lowering direction, an upper edge 476a of the lowering hole
476 engages the lowering protrusion 478 and pulls the tinted shield
400 downwardly (counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 10) into its
lowered position. As discussed above, the teeth 416, 420 of the
holding device automatically lock the tinted shield 400 into the
lowered position to prevent the tinted shield from moving upwardly
under the force of the resilient member 405. Thus, when the wearer
releases the lever 450 and allows it to return to its neutral
position under the biasing force of the resilient member 470, the
tinted shield 400 remains in its lowered position. The raising
force of the resilient member 405 prevents the tinted shield 400
from pivoting downwardly further unless the lever 450 is again
pushed downwardly to further lower the tinted shield 400.
[0120] The lever 450 further includes a raising wedge 484. The
wedge 484 is positioned on the lever 450 such that when the lever
450 is moved in its raising direction, the wedge 484 contacts the
teeth 416 of the holding device. Thereafter, a sloped surface of
the wedge 484 slidingly engages the shallowly-sloped sides of the
teeth 416, thereby forcing the teeth 416 and the tooth-anchor 410
laterally-outwardly until the teeth 416 disengage the teeth 420 on
the head portion 20. When the teeth 416, 420 disengage from each
other, the tinted shield 400 freely pivots upwardly into its raised
position under the biasing force of the resilient member 405. It
should be noted that the lowering hole 476 of the lever is long
enough in an annular direction relative to the axis 452 that the
edges of the hole 476 do not engage the lowering protrusion 478
when the lever 450 is moved in the raising direction.
Alternatively, the entire lower side of the lowering hole 476 could
be eliminated such that the lowering hole 476 comprises just a
lowering upper edge.
[0121] As illustrated in FIG. 10, a bumper 486 is provided on the
head portion 20 in a position corresponding to an upper edge of the
tinted shield 400 when the tinted shield 400 is in its raised
position. The bumper 486 cushions the impact force of the
upwardly-moving tinted shield 400 when the tinted shield 400 is
thrust upwardly under the biasing force of the resilient member
405.
[0122] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the helmet 10 further includes a
protective eye shield 500 pivotally connected to the head portion
20 for pivotal movement relative to the head portion 20 about the
lever axis 452. The pivotal connection between the head portion 20
and the eye shield 500 preferably includes frictional surfaces that
discourage pivotal movement of the eye shield 500. Consequently,
the eye shield 500 will only pivot between its raised and lowered
positions when pushed/pulled by the wearer.
[0123] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 12, the eye shield 500
comprises a double-layer, semi-crescent-shaped clear shield that
includes an outer, semi-spherical, semi-crescent shaped layer 502
and an inner, semi-cylindrically shaped layer 504 the inner layer
504 curves from left to right as it progresses around the inside of
the outer layer 502. As shown in FIG. 8, tabs 506 extend inwardly
from the inner side of the outer layer 502 to hold the inner layer
504 in place between the tabs 506. The perimeter of the inner layer
504 includes a ribbon 508 of silicon that seals the two layers 502,
504 together such that an air space 509 is formed between the
layers 502, 504. The air space 509 forms a thermal barrier that
discourages condensation on the inner side of the inner layer 504
and the outer side of the outer layer 502 to ensure that the wearer
has a clear field of vision through the eye shield 500. While a
double-layer eye shield 500 is preferred, the eye shield may
alternatively comprise a single layer shield without departing from
the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the inner and
outer layers 502, 504 could alternatively both be semi-spherically
shaped or both be semi-cylindrically shaped, or both have
asymmetrical shapes.
[0124] As illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 12, a lower edge 500a of the
eye shield 500 extends downwardly away from the remainder of the
eye shield 500 in the direction of movement of the eye shield 500
relative to the head portion 20 (i.e., generally perpendicularly to
a radial direction of the axis 452). Consequently, when the eye
shield 500 is lowered into its lowered position, its lower edge
500a engages sealing strips 510 disposed on the jaw shield 20 to
create a tight seal that discourages cold air from entering the
inner space 34 of the helmet 10. The sealing strips 510 preferably
comprise a resilient material such as foam or rubber. The sealing
strips 510 preferably have a tubular cross-section that includes a
longitudinally extending cut through which the lower edge 500a of
the eye shield 500 extends when the eye shield 500 is moved into
its lower position. As best illustrated in FIG. 8A, the sealing
strips 510 are fastened to the jaw shield 40 within channels 512
that are formed in and extend around an upper perimeter of the jaw
shield 40. The lower edge 500a of the eye shield 500 extends into
the channel 512 when the eye shield 500 is lowered.
[0125] To further discourage cold air from entering the inner space
34 of the helmet 10, an upper edge of the eye shield 500 is
contoured to closely follow the contours of the head portion 20
when the eye shield 500 is in its lowered position. While not shown
in this embodiment, a sealing strip may be provided on the head
portion 20 or the upper edge of the eye shield 500 to seal the
small gap formed between the upper edge of the eye shield 500 and
the head portion 20.
[0126] In this embodiment, while the tinted and eye shields 400,
500 pivot about separate axes 402, 452, respectively, the helmet 10
may be modified such that both shields 400, 500 would pivot about
the same axis without deviating from the scope of the present
invention.
[0127] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the handle portion 472 of the
lever 450 extends downwardly enough that it is disposed below the
lower edge of the eye shield 500 even when the eye shield 500 is in
its lowered position. When the eye shield 500 is in its lowered
position, the tinted shield 400 is disposed behind the eye shield
500 (i.e., closer to the inner space 34 and closer to the wearer)
regardless of whether the tinted shield 400 is in its raised or
lowered positions. Consequently, the tinted shield 400 may be
raised and lowered using the lever 450 even when the eye shield 500
is in its lowered position. The lever 450 therefore advantageously
eliminates the need to raise the eye shield 500 in order to
reposition the tinted shield 400.
[0128] As best illustrated in FIG. 24, the eye shield has upper and
lower portions 500b, 500c. The lower portion 500c is the portion
that is disposed in front of the opening 36 when the eye shield 500
is in its lowered position and is see-through or clear so that the
wearer can see through the lowered eye shield 500. The upper
portion 500b of the eye shield 500 is disposed above the opening 36
regardless of the position of the eye shield 500. When the eye
shield 500 is in its lowered position and the tinted shield 400 is
in its raised position, the upper portion 500b of the eye shield
500 is disposed in front of the tinted shield. In the illustrated
embodiment, the upper portion 500b is see-through or clear so that
the raised tinted shield 400 may be inspected through the eye
shield 500.
[0129] While the upper portion 500b is clear in the illustrated
embodiment, it is also contemplated that the upper portion of the
eye shield is opaque or tinted. For example, FIG. 30 illustrates an
eye shield 525 that may replace the eye shield 500 of the helmet 10
without deviating from the scope of the present invention. Except
as expressly stated herein, the eye shield 525 is identical to the
eye shield 500. A lower portion 525a of the eye shield 525 is clear
to enable the wearer to see through the eye shield 525. An upper
portion 525b of the eye shield 525 is opaque. The opaque upper
portion 525b may be created by applying a frosted or opaque layer
to the inside of an otherwise see-through portion. For example, the
eye shield 525 may be created by applying an opaque layer (spay
paint, paint, etc.) to the interior side of the upper portion 500b
of the eye shield 500 illustrated in FIG. 24. Although the opaque
layer may alternatively be applied to the outside of the upper
portion 525b, the interior side is preferred so that the opaque
layer is less exposed to wear and abrasion. Alternatively, the
upper portion 525b may comprise a material such as plastic that is
inherently opaque. In such an embodiment, the lower portion 525a
and upper portion 525b would comprise distinct materials. When the
eye shield 525 is mounted to the helmet 10, the eye shield 525 is
in its lowered position, and the tinted shield 400 is in its raised
position, the upper portion 525b hides the tinted shield 400 from
view.
[0130] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the helmet 10 further includes an
eye shield 500 heating system 530 that electrically heats the eye
shield 500 to discourage water and frost from forming on the eye
shield 500 and obstructing the wearer's view. FIG. 12 is an
outwardly looking side view of the inner right side of the eye
shield 500. An electric heating element 532, which preferably
comprises a thin wire, extends within the space 509 defined between
outer and inner layers 502, 504 of the eye shield 500. One end of
the heating element 532 is electrically connected to a forward
electrical contact surface 540 disposed on the inside surface of
the eye shield 500. The forward contact surface 540 is disposed
forwardly from and radially outwardly from the lever axis 452. The
forward contact surface 540 covers an arc, which has the axis 452
as its centerline. The other end of the heating element 532 is
electrically connected to a rearward electrical contact surface
542, which is generally a mirror image of the forward contact
surface 540 relative to the axis 542. The forward and rearward
contact surfaces 540, 542 each comprise electrically-conductive
laterally-inner surfaces.
[0131] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the eye shield heating system 530
further includes forward and rearward sets of electrical contact
points 550, 552 disposed forwardly and rearwardly, respectively,
from the lever axis 452 on the right lateral side of the head
portion 20. The electrical contact points 550, 552 are electrically
connected to an external power supply jack 560 mounted on the
helmet 10. The external power supply jack 560 is adapted to be
connected via a power lead (not shown) to an electrical power
source such as a snowmobile's battery system. When the eye shield
500 is mounted to the head portion 20, a sealing ring 562 is
sandwiched between the head portion 20 and the inner surface of the
eye shield 500 to protect the contact surfaces 540, 542 and contact
points 550, 552 from the outside environment.
[0132] When the eye shield 500 is mounted to the head portion 20,
the forward contact surface 540 continuously, slidingly,
electrically engages at least one of the forward electrical contact
points 550 throughout the pivotal range of the eye shield 500
relative to the head portion 20. Similarly, the rearward contact
surface 542 continuously, slidingly, electrically engages at least
one of the rearward electrical contact points 552 throughout the
pivotal range of the eye shield 500. Consequently, the heating
element 532 is continuously electrically connected to the external
power supply jack 560 on the head portion 20 via the electrical
connection between the head portion 20 and the eye shield 500 that
is defined by the contact surfaces 540, 542 and contact points 550,
552.
[0133] Alternatively, the contact surfaces 540, 542 and contact
points 550, 552 could be positioned such that the forward contact
surface 540 only electrically engages one of the forward electrical
contact points 550 when the eye shield 500 is in its lowered
position. The same may be true for the rearward contact surface 542
and the rearward contact points 552. Consequently, lowering the eye
shield 500 into the lowered position turns on the heating system
530 and raising the eye shield 500 turns off the heating system
530.
[0134] Because the power supply lead is adapted to be attached to
the head portion 20 instead of directly to the eye shield 500, as
is known in conventional eye shield heating systems, the power
supply lead cannot act as a tether and apply a raising or lowering
force to the eye shield 500. Furthermore, the power supply lead
does not interfere with the wearer's operation of the eye shield
500.
[0135] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the helmet 10 further includes a
mounting bracket 600 for a flashlight or other type of external,
removable gear. In FIG. 2, a flashlight 602 is mounted to the
mounting bracket 600. The mounting bracket may include electrical
contacts similar to the contact points 550, 552 of the eye shield
heating system 530. Such contacts would provide electrical power to
the flashlight and be electrically connected to the external power
supply jack 560.
[0136] Additional features may also be provided on the helmet 10.
For example, a rear light may be installed on the back side of the
head portion 20. The lights are LEDs that are preferably connected
to a vehicle power supply in the same manner as the heating system
530.
[0137] A communications system may also be installed in the helmet
10 so that the wearer can communicate with the wearer of a second
helmet 10 or second communications system. Such a communications
system would be particularly advantageous for use by a driver and
passenger of a snowmobile.
[0138] FIGS. 13-21 illustrate a helmet 700 according to an
alternative embodiment of the present invention. Like the helmet
10, the helmet 700 includes a head portion 710 and a jaw shield
720. Also as in the helmet 10, the jaw shield 720 of the helmet 700
included two fixed side portions 730 and a detachable center
portion 740.
[0139] A separable hinge 750 like the previously described
separable hinge 50 selectively connects the detachable portion 740
to the fixed portions 730. Inner sides 760 of the fixed portions
730 are generally planar, but may alternatively be curved, bumped,
convex, concave, angled, etc. Accordingly, as viewed from the
front, the inner sides 760 generally form a V shape (as opposed to
the generally U shape of the inner sides 48, 49 and pin 47 of the
helmet 10). In use, this V-shaped opening generally forms a funnel
that guides the detachable portion 740 into alignment with the
fixed portions 730 when a wearer attempts to engage the separable
pieces (e.g., a C-shaped clip and a pin) of the separable hinge
750.
[0140] The helmet 700 includes a breathing mask 770 that is
operatively connected to the detachable portion 740 via a mask
adjustment mechanism 780. The breathing mask 770 and mask
adjustment mechanism 780 are similar to the breathing mask 200 and
mask adjustment mechanism 210. Accordingly, a redundant detailed
description of the similar or identical features and structures is
omitted.
[0141] As shown in FIGS. 14, 14A, and 15, the mask adjustment
mechanism 780 includes a control knob assembly 790 that differs
from the control knob 212 of the previously described mask
adjustment mechanism 210. The control knob assembly 790 includes a
control knob 800 connected to a ring 810. As in the previous
embodiment, the control knob 800 is mounted to the detachable
portion 740 for relative pivotal movement about a pivot axis 820.
However, the control knob 800 cannot move axially along the pivot
axis 820 relative to the detachable portion 740. The ring 810 is
connected to the control knob 800 in a gimbal fashion that allows
the ring 810 to swivel relative to the control knob 800 but ensures
that the ring 810 rotates with the control knob 800 about the axis
820. To allow swiveling movement, the ring 810 includes two pivot
pins 830 that fit into slots 840 formed inside the control knob
800. The slots 840 allow the pivot pins 830 to slide axially (along
the axis 820) to some extent and allow the ring 810 to pivot
relative to the control knob 800 about their own axes. An inner
circumferential surface of the ring 810 includes threads 850 that
mesh with the external threads of an outer axial member (not shown)
that is functionally identical to the outer axial member 220 shown
in FIGS. 6 and 7. The threads 850 define a second pivot axis 855
that is aligned with the pivot axis 820 when the ring 810 is in a
neutral position within the slots 840 but forms an angle with the
pivot axis 820 when the ring 810 moves within the slots 840. The
gimbal connection between the control knob 8000 and the ring 810
allows the breathing mask 770 to translate slightly up, down, left,
and right relative to the jaw shield 720, which allows the
breathing mask 770 to be positioned in a greater variety of
positions within the helmet 700 than the breathing mask 200 in the
previously described embodiment.
[0142] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 16-21, the helmet 700 includes an
eye shield 900 that is similar to the eye shield 500. The eye
shield 900 connects to the head portion of the helmet 700 for
relative pivotal movement about an eye shield pivot axis 905. The
eye shield 900 includes a heating system 910 that electrically
heats the eye shield 900 to discourage water and frost from forming
on the eye shield 500 and obstructing the wearer's view. An
electric heating element 920, which preferably comprises a thin
wire, extends within the space defined between outer and inner
layers of the eye shield 900. A bore 930 is formed in one side of
the head portion of the helmet 700 and the eye shield 900. The bore
is aligned with the eye shield axis 905. Electrically insulated
ends 920a of the heating element 920 extend inwardly into the
helmet 700 through the bore 930. At least a small amount of slack
in the insulated ends 920a is preferably provided within the bore
930 to ensure that the heating element 920 does not interfere with
the pivotal operation of the eye shield 900. Within the helmet 700,
the insulated ends 920a extend between a hard outer shell of the
head portion 710 and a soft internal cushion of the head portion
710 to an electrical power supply jack mounted on the helmet 700
the electrical power supply jack is adapted to be removably
electrically connected to an electrical power source such as a
snowmobile's battery system. Because the heating element 920
extends through the bore 930 at the axis 905 of the eye shield 900,
the heating element 920 does not interfere with the pivotal
movement of the eye shield 900. Furthermore, because the connection
between the power supply and the heating element 920 does not
require the heating element 920 to be disposed on an outside of the
eye shield 900, the heating element 920 does not get caught on
objects outside the helmet 700.
[0143] FIGS. 16-21 generally show the progressive detachment of the
detachable portion 740 from the helmet 700. In FIG. 16, the
detachable portion 740 is attached to the fixed portions 730 and
the eye shield 900 is lowered. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the eye
shield 900 is then raised. While removing the detachable portion
740 of the illustrated helmet 700 requires the eye shield 900 to be
at least partially raised, a helmet according to the present
invention may alternatively be designed such that the detachable
portion 740 may be removed without raising the eye shield 900. As
illustrated in FIG. 18, a latch mechanism like the latch mechanism
52 of the previous embodiment may be released to allow the
detachable portion 740 to pivot outwardly away from the fixed
portions 730 about the separable hinge 750. As illustrated in FIGS.
19 and 20, the detachable portion 740 may then be pivoted outwardly
and downwardly away from the fixed portions 730. As illustrated in
FIGS. 13 and 21, the separable hinge 750 may subsequently be
completely separated to separate the detachable portion 740 from
the fixed portions 730.
[0144] FIGS. 27-29 illustrate a helmet 1200 according to an
alternative embodiment of the present invention. To avoid redundant
disclosure, an exhaustive description of the elements of the helmet
1200 that are similar to or identical to the previously described
embodiments is omitted. As illustrated in FIG. 27, the helmet 1200
includes a head portion 1210, a jaw shield 1220 connected to the
head portion 1210, a breathing mask 1230, and a breathing mask
adjustment mechanism 1240 operatively connecting the breathing mask
1230 to the jaw shield 1220.
[0145] In the illustrated embodiment, the jaw shield 1220 is
rigidly connected to (or integrally formed with) the head portion
1210. However, the jaw shield 1220, or a portion of the jaw shield
1220 may alternatively be movably connected to the head portion
1210, as is described above in connection with one or more of the
previous embodiments. The head portion 1210 and jaw shield 1220
together define an inner space 1250.
[0146] The breathing mask adjustment mechanism 1240 adjustably
connects the breathing mask 1230 to the jaw shield 1220 so as to
selectively move the breathing mask 1230 within the inner space
1250 (a) away from an interior surface of the jaw shield 1220 and
toward the mouth and nose of the wearer, and (b) toward the
interior surface of the jaw shield 1220 and away from the mouth and
nose of the wearer.
[0147] As illustrated in FIGS. 28 and 29, the mask adjustment
mechanism 1240 comprises a control knob 1260, an axial member 1270,
and a retaining key 1280.
[0148] The control knob 1260 connects to the jaw shield 1220 for
relatively free rotation relative to the jaw shield 1220 about an
adjustment mechanism axis 1290 (see FIG. 27). However, the
connection between the knob 1260 and the jaw shield 1220 prevents
the knob 1260 from moving along the axis 1290 relative to the jaw
shield 1220. The knob 1260 includes a central, internally-threaded
bore 1300 that is aligned with the axis 1290.
[0149] The axial member 1270 includes an externally threaded
portion 1310 that is threaded into the internally threaded bore
1300 of the control knob 1260 such that the axial member 1270 is
aligned with the axis 1290. The axial member 1270 mounts to the
breathing mask 1230 such that the breathing mask moves with the
axial member 1270 along the axis 1290.
[0150] As illustrated in FIG. 29, an axially extending keyway 1320
is formed in the outer surface of the axial member 1270. The
retaining key 1280 mounts to the jaw shield 1220. While the
retaining key 1280 is bolted to the jaw shield 1220 in the
illustrated embodiment, the retaining key 1280 and jaw shield 1220
may alternatively be connected in any other fashion (for example,
integral formation, glue, screws, rivets). When the axial member
1270 is threaded into the bore 1300 of the knob 1260, the retaining
key 1280 engages the keyway 1320, which prevents the axial member
1270 from rotating relative to the jaw shield 1220 about the axis
1290. While a keyway 1320 and retaining key 1280 are used in the
illustrated embodiment to discourage the axial member 1270 from
rotating relative to the jaw shield 1220, a variety of other
structures may be used to accomplish this task without deviating
from the scope of the present invention. For example, an
accordion-folded connector such as the connector 260 illustrated in
FIG. 3 and discussed above may be used. Moreover, the adjustment
mechanism may alternatively rely on engagement between the wearer's
face and the breathing mask to discourage the axial member from
rotating relative to the wearer, the helmet, and the jaw shield
about the axis 1290.
[0151] To adjust the adjustment mechanism 1240, the helmet wearer
rotates the control knob 1260 about the axis 1290. The resulting
relative rotation of the threads of the bore 1300 and axial member
1270 causes the axial member 1270 and the attached breathing mask
1230 to telescopically move along the axis 1290 relative to the
control knob 1260 and the jaw shield 1220. The retaining key 1280
and keyway 1320 ensure that rotation of the control knob 1260 will
cause telescopic movement of the breathing mask 1230 by preventing
the axial member 1270 from rotating with the control knob 1260
about the axis 1290. The wearer can therefore use the control knob
1260 and adjustment mechanism 1240 to snugly fit the breathing mask
1230 against his/her mouth and nose.
[0152] The axial member 1270 defines an axially extending opening
1330 that fluidly connects the breathing space within the breathing
mask 1230 to the bore 1300. Together, the bore 1300 and the opening
1330 define an exhaust air passageway 1340 that fluidly connects
the breathing space within the breathing mask 1230 to the ambient
environment outside the helmet 1200. The exhaust air passageway
1340 is generally aligned with the axis 1290 and is positioned such
that it extends downwardly and forwardly as it progresses away from
the mouth and nose of the wearer when the wearer wears the helmet
1200.
[0153] The foregoing illustrated embodiments are provided to
illustrate the structural and functional principles of the present
invention and are not intended to be limiting. To the contrary, the
principles of the present invention are intended to encompass any
and all changes, alterations and/or substitutions within the spirit
and scope of the following claims.
* * * * *