U.S. patent application number 10/637389 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-10 for decorative protective helmet.
Invention is credited to Fowler, David B..
Application Number | 20050028253 10/637389 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34116617 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050028253 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fowler, David B. |
February 10, 2005 |
Decorative protective helmet
Abstract
A molded decorative protective helmet, which can be made in
desirable shapes. Standard semi-hemispherical motorcycle helmets
serve their protective purpose very well but have an undesirable
appearance to many motorcyclists. A hard molded protective helmet
made to have the appearance of a more desirable soft cloth or
leather cap will promote motorcycle helmet use resulting in greater
protection to a user. The molded protective helmet can have a bill
or raised outer edges, which can serve as a point of first contact
in the event of a fall by the motorcyclist. This point of first
contact can crumble and absorb some of the force of the fall, thus
avoiding transmitting the force to a motorcyclist's head. The
helmet can be molded from a softer rigid outer covering and a
harder inner shell and may have a liner which can be individually
sized for a user's head.
Inventors: |
Fowler, David B.; (Bolivia,
NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael E. Mauney
Attorney at Law
Post Office Box 10266
Southport
NC
28461
US
|
Family ID: |
34116617 |
Appl. No.: |
10/637389 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/411 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/003 20130101;
A42B 3/06 20130101; A42B 1/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/411 |
International
Class: |
A42B 001/06 |
Claims
1. (Canceled)
2. (Canceled)
3. (Canceled)
4. (Canceled)
5. (Canceled)
6. (Canceled)
7. (Canceled)
8. (Canceled)
9. (Canceled)
10. (Canceled)
11. (Canceled)
12. (Canceled)
13. (Canceled)
14. (Canceled)
15. (Canceled)
16. (Canceled)
17. A decorative protective motorcycle cap comprising: (a) a
motorcycle cap molded of rigid protective material, within a first
down side of said motorcycle cap having a generally circular
opening, whereby said general circular opening slips onto a user's
head; (b) on a first end of said motorcycle cap, above said first
down side with said opening, a bill extending outwardly from said
first end and forming a general quarter moon shape whereby said
bill effectively shades a portion of a user's head when said
decorative protective motorcycle cap is on a user's head; (c) a
crown portion of said motorcycle cap extending above said first
down side and forming an enclosure, said crown portion having
irregularly shaped a generally rounded shape with a raised circular
ridge in proximity a second up side of said motorcycle cap.
18. A decorative protective motorcycle cap of claim 17 wherein said
decorative protective motorcycle cap further includes a removable
inner liner; said removable inner liner sizeable to individual
sizes of a user.
19. A decorative protective motorcycle cap of claim 18 wherein said
decorative protective motorcycle cap is molded from a plastic
material.
20. A decorative protective motorcycle cap of claim 19 wherein
there is a first outer plastic material forming an outer surface of
said decorative protective motorcycle cap and a second inner
plastic material forming an inner liner material of said decorative
protective motorcycle cap.
21. A decorative protective motorcycle cap of claim 20 wherein said
first outer surface is molded of a softer material than said second
inner material.
22. A decorative protective kepi hat for use by a motorcyclist
comprising: (a) a kepi hat molded of rigid protective material with
a first down side of said kepi hat having a generally circular
opening whereby said generally circular opening slips onto a user's
head; (b) on a first end of said kepi hat above said first down
side with said opening a bill extending outwardly from said first
end forming a generally quarter-moon shape whereby said bill
effectively shades a portion of a user's head when said decorative
protective kepi hat is on the user's head; (c) a crown portion of
said kepi hat generally flat and circular in shape; said crown
portion inclined upwardly from said first end of said kepi hat to a
second end of said kepi hat; said second end of said kepi hat
distal from said bill of said kepi hat.
23. A decorative protective kepi hat for use by a motorcyclist of
claim 22 wherein said decorative protective motorcycle cap further
includes a removable inner liner; said removable inner liner
sizeable to individual sizes of a user.
24. A decorative protective kepi hat for use by a motorcyclist of
claim 23 wherein said decorative protective motorcycle cap is
molded from a plastic material.
25. A decorative protective kepi hat for use by a motorcyclist of
claim 24 wherein there is a first outer plastic material forming an
outer surface of said decorative protective motorcycle cap and a
second inner plastic material forming an inner liner material of
said decorative protective motorcycle cap.
26. A decorative protective kepi hat for use by a motorcyclist of
claim 25 wherein said first outer surface is molded of a softer
material than said second inner material.
27. A decorative protective campaign hat for use by a motorcyclist
comprising: (a) a campaign hat molded of rigid protective material
with a first down said of said campaign hat having a generally
circular opening whereby said generally circular opening slips onto
a user's head; (b) in proximity to said first down side a brim
extends all the way around said generally circular opening; said
brim generally flat in and extending outwardly from said first end
of said campaign hat; (c) a crown portion of said campaign hat
extending above said first down side culminating in a flattened
point with at least two indentations formed in said crown in
proximity to said flattened point.
28. A decorative protective campaign hat for use by a motorcyclist
of claim 27 wherein said decorative protective motorcycle cap
further includes a removable inner liner; said removable inner
liner sizeable to individual sizes of a user.
29. A decorative protective campaign hat for use by a motorcyclist
of claim 28 wherein said decorative protective motorcycle cap is
molded from a plastic material.
30. A decorative protective campaign hat for use by a motorcyclist
of claim 29 wherein there is a first outer plastic material forming
an outer surface of said decorative protective motorcycle cap and a
second inner plastic material forming an inner liner material of
said decorative protective motorcycle cap.
31. A decorative protective campaign hat for use by a motorcyclist
of claim 230 wherein said first outer surface is molded of a softer
material than said second inner material.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to protective helmets. More
particularly, it relates to protective helmets that not only
provide protection from blows to the head, but does so in the most
pleasing aesthetic fashion possible.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It has long been recognized there is a need for combining a
pleasing aesthetic appearance with a protective helmet. For
example, M. S. Plastino, U.S. Pat. No. 3,203,003, discloses an
inner protective shell which fits inside of and is concealed by an
outer covering which can be manufactured in a variety of shapes.
Similar ideas are seen in Plastino, U.S. Pat. No. 3,103,015, in
which there is a hard inner liner with a removable outer cover
which may be shaped like a cap or conventional hat with a brim.
[0003] One area where there are strict requirements for the
appearance of head gear is in the field of equestrian show helmets.
These helmets must have particular features. Consequently, it is a
challenge to make a protective helmet that also meets the
appearance requirements. One such attempt is Plastino, U.S. Pat.
No. 4,345,336. This discloses a head gear wherein a cover fits over
a resilient shell. The cover may be attached and detached from the
resilient shell. A similar design is seen in Broersma, et al, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,718,004. In the Broersma approach, a generally circular
helmet has additional elements which are required in equestrian
shows including the helmet be covered in black velvet, have a
forward brim, and a decorative top button. The helmet itself is
covered with a velvet-like decorative material to meet the
requirements of the appearance requirements for equestrian
events.
[0004] A similar approach can be seen in Andersen, U.S. Pat. No.
5,289,591. In Andersen, a protective plastic insert is placed
inside a conventional golf cap. The insert is sized to adjust to
size changes of the golf caps which are usually size adjustable.
Thus, a single sized insert will fit inside most golf caps. The
idea is for a user to be able to protect himself against the impact
of a golf ball while still wearing a conventional appearance golf
cap.
[0005] One field in which there is a number of designs for helmets
are for motorcycles. A motorcycle rider may be traveling at high
speed. In many states the rider is required to wear a protective
helmet. Many of these helmets cover the user's entire head with a
visor which folds down and protects the face. One example of this
type of helmet is Kamata, U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,937. Kamata provides
a vent to provide ventilation for the helmet which otherwise might
be hot.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Despite this earlier work, there is still the need,
especially in motorcycle helmets, for a helmet that combines safety
with aesthetic features. Currently placing a decorative cover on a
hard protective helmet has several drawbacks. First, the outside
decorative cover is apt to wear out, get dirty, become detached
from the helmet or lost at inconvenient times and require
replacement. Secondly, adding an outside cover to the inner helmet
adds weight. Third, adding an outside cover can reduce airflow
through the helmet, hence make the helmet hotter. Consequently, if
the protective shell itself could be formed in such a way as to
provide a pleasing aesthetic appearance while maintaining
protective features and an acceptable degree of comfort, it would
be an advance in the art.
[0007] The current invention is a motorcycle helmet. It is believed
it will find its widest application in motorcycle helmets since
many motorcycle riders, especially those who may be devoted to a
particular brand of motorcycle such as Harley-Davidson that carries
a certain rebel image may disdain wearing a standard helmet. For a
Harley-Davidson rider, wearing a protective helmet is reminiscent
of casual motorcycle riders who might ride a motorcycle like those
provided by Honda or other Japanese manufacturers. Riders of a
Harley-Davidson may be not the least bit interested in being
identified as a rider of a Honda motorcycle, advertised as "the
nicest people". Consequently, many motorcyclists prefer to ride
bareheaded if at all possible, disdaining a helmet. However, many
states require a helmet. Consequently, if the helmet could be
shaped in a way that matches the romance and the rebel image
associated with motorcycles, especially those associated with
American made or Harley-Davidson motorcycles, would provide
important protective advantages. An unworn helmet is of no use
whatsoever. Thus, a protective helmet that satisfies the need for
an aesthetically pleasing appearance is more likely to be worn.
[0008] The current invention is a molded, hard protective shell
using current materials and manufacturing methods. A hard
protective shell need not appear as the disdained hemispherical
shaped motorcycle helmet. It can be molded to appear like a soft
motorcycle hat, not unlike the hat worn by Marlon Brando as a
motorcyclist in the landmark motorcycle movie "The Wild Ones". Or,
it could be molded to appear like a kepi hat worn by fighters in
the Civil War, most notably those fighting for the Confederacy. Or,
it could be molded into a variety of other pleasing, aesthetic
shapes, because the pleasing appearance is itself molded into the
very durable protective helmet material. It is durable, long
lasting, cannot be lost or detached from the helmet itself. The
shape of the helmet itself can form a "crush zone" which provides
protection and avoids transmitting forces to the head inside of the
helmet. It can be molded in such a way as to be light weight,
comfortable and cool and at the same time provide an important
appearance advantage which promotes wearing of the helmet even in
states which do not require a helmet. The helmets can be made
attractive enough to where they themselves become a desirable
object and can be treated as a piece of collectible art, as well as
a functional helmet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1A is a cross section of one embodiment of the current
invention and FIG. 1B is a fabric liner sized to fit individuals to
go within the embodiment of FIG. 1A.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
current invention as seen from above and from the outside and FIG.
2B is this embodiment on the head of a user.
[0011] FIG. 3A shows a prior art helmet.
[0012] FIGS. 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3E show crumple zones of the current
invention.
[0013] FIGS. 4A and 4B shows aesthetic variations of the decorative
protective helmet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIGS. 1A and 1B show in cross section one simplified
embodiment of this invention. The actual embodiment such as shown
in FIG. 2 will be considerably more stylized and complex in shape
than the simple cut-away form shown in FIG. 1A. The decorative
protective helmet (10) will ordinarily molded into a particular
shape. A female mould for the particular decorative protective
helmet (10) will be made according to the desired shape. A durable,
hard, but attractive shell (20) will be made from an appropriate
material to form the outer part of the decorative protective helmet
(10). The outer shell (20) can be textured to be made to appear as
a type of cloth. It can appear to have seams, stitch marks, or
other features that will simulate the appearance of a attractive
material other than a hard durable prior art hemispherical shape
commonly associated with protective motorcycle helmets (See FIG.
3A). To make the outer shell (20), a material, preferably plastic
or polymer, will be placed outside the female die or mold and then
molded to fit within the female die by various male die forming
members which will force the material, which will be made malleable
either by heat or by chemical treatment, into the female die to
fully conform with the shape of the female die. In order to provide
sufficient strength to the outer material chosen, there will
ordinarily be a stronger inner shell (30) which will be applied on
the inside of the outer shell (20). This ordinarily will be a
material like the material that goes by the trade name Kevlar.
There are other varieties of extremely strong light weight polymer
materials like Kevlar, nylon and the like which can be cured with
appropriate resins to provide sufficient rigidity and protective
features to the decorative protective helmet (10) so that it will
pass appropriate safety tests to be licensed for motorcycle use.
The entire decorative protective helmet (10) could be formed from
such a stronger Kevlar-like material. However, it is believed for
manufacturing convenience and for aesthetic reasons, that a two
piece construction is more practical using current manufacturing
methods. The decorative protective helmet (10) is not only a
pleasing covering, but also has a protective function. This
surface, by its shape, can form a crumple or tear zone in the event
of the contact of the helmet with a hard surface such as the
ground. When the decorative protective helmet (10) is constructed
with the outer shell (20) and the inner shell (30), the somewhat
softer outer shell (20) accentuates the crumpling to absorb forces
that otherwise might be transmitted to the wearer of the helmet.
FIG. 1B shows in cut-a-way a woven inner lining (50), which can be
placed inside the decorative protective helmet (10). Although
decorative protective helmet (10) could be made without the inner
lining (50), it is believed it is more practical to make the
decorative outer helmet (10) in a limited number of sizes while
preparing to have a sized inner liner (50) to fit inside the
helmet. This makes it possible to have decorative protective
helmets (10) in small, medium and large, but then to individually
size the inner liner (50) to standard hat sizes such as 6.sup.7/8,
7, 7.sup.1/8 and so on. Also, the inner liner (50) can be made of
modern materials which provide a high degree of comfort. Among
these materials are those that wick away moisture and provide
cooling by providing a surface from which moisture such as sweat
readily evaporates. Secondly, the inner liner (50) can be made in
part with various gel compounds which provide cooling when cooling
is necessary and provide heat when heat is necessary. These various
materials are sold under various trade names such as DuPont Cool
Max, Dry Fit and so.
[0015] FIG. 2 shows the decorative protective helmet (10) seen from
above in one embodiment. This is an embodiment much like the cap
worn by motorcycle policemen fifty years ago or like the cap worn
by Marion Brando in the movie "The Wild Ones". It has a circular
bill (100) that extends around the front part of decorative
protective helmet (10). There is also a ridge (200) that rises
above and extends around and away from the bottom band (300). This
shape for a decorative protective helmet (10) is desirable for a
variety of reasons. First, it is traditionally associated with
motorcyclists including motorcycle policemen as well as earlier
motorcyclists and members of motorcycle groups or organizations.
Another feature of this particular shape is the bill (100). The
bill (100) not only provides shade for the face of a rider who is
using it, but also serves a protective function. As will be shown
in FIG. 3B, the bill (100) extends out and away from the face of
the user. Once the decorative protective helmet (10) is secured on
a user, should a user fall in a face down, toward the ground,
direction, the decorative protective helmet (10) and bill (100)
will provide a point of first contact, shielding and holding a
user's face away from the ground from the first impact. The
decorative protective helmet (10) itself, including the bill (100)
is molded with an outer shell (20) as seen in FIG. 1A and an inner
rigid shell (30) as seen in FIG. 1A. Consequently, the bill (100)
will begin to break away and provide a cushioning effect for a user
rather than transmitting the shock directly to a user's head.
Likewise, the extended ridge (200) which is around and away from
the band (300) also serves the same effect as is seen in FIG. 3D.
FIG. 2A shows the decorative protective helmet on the head of a
user. The pleasing appearance is in contrast to the sterile look of
a prior art helmet seen in FIG. 3A.
[0016] FIG. 3A shows a prior art motorcycle helmet (500). It should
be understood that large molded protective helmets like those worn
by race car drivers, astronauts, and the like may provide
considerably more protection than will the applicant's decorative
protective helmet (10). However, it will be understood that a
helmet, no matter how much potential protection such a helmet may
provide, provides no protection unless it is on a user's head at
the time of an accident. In fact, many motorcycle riders disdain
wearing helmets and have campaigned against helmet laws. When they
are riding their motorcycle in a state where a helmet is required,
they frequently wear a small, semi-hemispherical helmet, not much
larger than a skull cap or similar configuration even smaller than
the prior art helmet (500) in FIG. 3A on the head of a user. It is
toward this motorcycle rider and toward their aesthetic needs that
this invention is directed. It is believed that this kind of rider
will more readily use a helmet if the helmet itself meets their
need for an attractive helmet. Consequently, a decorative
protective helmet (10) shaped in a desirable form such as a kepi
hat or a captain's/motorcyclist hat, will be much more likely to be
worn than a much safer protective helmet, no matter how much more
protection that safer helmet might provide than the decorative
protective helmet (10) of the applicant's invention.
[0017] Moreover, as is shown in FIG. 3B, decorative features such
as a bill (100) may also serve an important protective function. In
FIG. 3B, the head of the user is shown coming in contact with a
hard surface such as ground or pavement. This is something a user
might experience if the motorcycle turned on its side and the user
was thrown from the motorcycle in a collision with an obstacle in
front of the user. In FIG. 3B, the head of the user has not yet
contacted the ground (600), but the bill (100) of the decorative
protective helmet (10) is beginning contact with the ground (600).
In FIG. 3C, the same view is shown after the contact with the
ground (600) for the decorative protective helmet (10) and the bill
(100). Here, the bill (100) has crumpled while simultaneously
holding the user away from the ground (600). This crumpling absorbs
some of the force that would otherwise be transmitted to the skull
of a user. The energy required to crumple the bill (100) of the
decorative protective helmet (10) is absorbed by the crumpling of
the bill (100) and not transmitted to a user, thus serving an
important protective purpose, as well as the inherent decorative
purpose that a bill (100) may serve. FIG. 3D shows a side view of
the decorative protective helmet (10) seen FIG. 2 where a user's
head is again about to contact the ground (600). Here, the extended
ridge (200) extends around, and away from, the head of a user and
will contact the ground (600) first. As is seen in FIG. 3E, the
ridge (200) has crumpled absorbing energy, while maintaining a
distance between the head of a user and the ground (600). In this
fashion, a user who disdains a motorcycle helmet providing the most
protection, like a prior art helmet (500) seen in FIG. 3A, may be
persuaded to wear the decorative protective helmet (10). The
features that provide the attractiveness to the decorative
protective helmet (10), such as the bill (100) or the ridge (200),
can also be constructed to provide crumple zones and protective
features not found in the prior art helmet (500) seen in FIG.
3A.
[0018] FIG. 4A shows decorative protective helmet (10) in rough
form as a kepi hat (320), not unlike those worn both in the north
and in the south by infantrymen in the Civil War. These hats are
not like a baseball hat, which is typically is rounded on the top,
but rather the kepi hat (320) has a distinct rim (330) that
provides for a relatively flat top that is inclined from the rear
of the head of the user to the forehead of the user. The sides of
the kepi hat (320) come down to the hat band (340) and bill (130)
with relatively vertical sides until you approach the bill (130) of
the kepi hat (320), where there is an inclined angle
construction.
[0019] FIG. 4B shows the decorative protective helmet (10) as a
campaign hat (350), sometimes called a "drill instructors hat" or a
"Smokey the Bear hat." These hats are commonly worn by drill
instructors in basic training in the Marine Corp and in the Army
and oftentimes worn by highway patrol troopers. They are also worn
by the cartoon figure used by the Forestry Service to promote fire
safety called "Smokey the Bear." Hence, it is sometimes called a
"Smokey the Bear hat." These hats are characterized by a relatively
wide flat brim (230), a hat band (222), and with a high crown
(360), which has indentations in the crown of the hat.
[0020] It will be noted that the decorative protective kepi hat
(320) has a bill (130) which provides protection for the front of
the user, while the campaign hat (350) has a wide flat brim (230)
and a high crown (360). Again, when these are made of rigid
material, they provide a crumple zone and provide extra protection.
Moreover, the association with the infantrymen in the War Between
the States or Civil War, on the one hand, or the association with
drill instructors or highway patrolmen may make these hats
aesthetically attractive to certain customers and make them more
likely to be worn than a less attractive hat.
[0021] It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that there
could be variations on the underlying theme of an attractive
outside shape designed to entice a motorcyclist who may otherwise
disdain a standard shaped helmet, to wear the decorative protective
helmet provided in that particular pleasing aesthetic shape. There
is a whole catalog of shapes that might be useful or pleasing to a
particular category of users. These can include distinctive types
of sport hats such as baseball caps, or other kinds of military
hats such as sailor hat. An extreme example could even look like a
feathered head dress of an indian chief, an old-fashioned bonnet
for women, or any other shape that is likely to evoke a positive
reaction in a user, pleasing both the user's sense of style while
at the same time provide important protective advantages. It will
be understood these shapes may be varied without parting from the
essential spirit of this invention, which is to provide a pleasing
aesthetic shape in a molded, hard, protective helmet providing
extra protection to a user while the aesthetic shape entices a user
to purchase and use the protective helmet. The only limitations are
the claims which follow.
* * * * *