U.S. patent application number 11/267229 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-03 for helmet having temple intake ports.
This patent application is currently assigned to BELL SPORTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Robert P. Lakes, Eddie G. Rothrock.
Application Number | 20070094769 11/267229 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37994368 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070094769 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lakes; Robert P. ; et
al. |
May 3, 2007 |
Helmet having temple intake ports
Abstract
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a
helmet having temple intake ports is provided. In a particular
embodiment, the helmet includes an outer protective shell, an inner
protective layer disposed substantially within the outer protective
shell and configured to substantially enclose a wearer's head, and
at least one intake port proximate a temple area of the helmet
configured to direct airflow from an exterior of the helmet through
the inner protective layer into an interior of the helmet.
Inventors: |
Lakes; Robert P.; (Saratoga,
CA) ; Rothrock; Eddie G.; (Whittier, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER BOTTS L.L.P.
2001 ROSS AVENUE
SUITE 600
DALLAS
TX
75201-2980
US
|
Assignee: |
BELL SPORTS, INC.
|
Family ID: |
37994368 |
Appl. No.: |
11/267229 |
Filed: |
November 3, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/171.3 ; 2/424;
2/425 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42C 2/00 20130101; A42B
3/283 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/171.3 ;
002/424; 002/425 |
International
Class: |
A42C 5/04 20060101
A42C005/04 |
Claims
1. A helmet, comprising: an outer protective shell; an inner
protective layer disposed substantially within the outer protective
shell and configured to substantially enclose a wearer's head; and
at least one intake port proximate a temple area of the helmet
configured to direct airflow from an exterior of the helmet through
the inner protective layer into an interior of the helmet.
2. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the at least one intake port is
configured to direct the airflow from the exterior of the helmet
into an interstitial space between the outer protective shell and
the inner protective layer; and wherein the inner protective layer
includes at least one duct configured to direct the airflow from
the interstitial space into the interior of the helmet.
3. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the at least one intake port
comprises an enlarged opening formed between the outer protective
shell and the inner protective layer along the edge of a facial
opening in the helmet.
4. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the at least one intake port is
formed on the exterior of the outer protective shell and configured
to direct airflow through the outer protective shell into an
interstitial space between the outer protective shell and the inner
protective layer; and wherein the inner protective layer includes
at least one duct configured to direct the airflow from the
interstitial space into the interior of the helmet.
5. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising at least one exit vent
proximate a rear of the helmet.
6. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the inner protective layer
comprises expanded polystyrene.
7. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the outer protective shell
comprises polycarbonate plastic.
8. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the outer protective shell
comprises fiberglass.
9. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the outer protective shell
comprises carbon fiber.
10. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the outer protective shell
comprises carbon fiber/Kevlar/fiberglass tri-weave.
11. A method of ventilating a helmet, comprising: forming an inner
protective layer configured to substantially enclose a wearer's
head; substantially enclosing the inner protective layer in an
outer protective shell; and forming at least one intake port
proximate a temple area of the helmet configured to direct airflow
from an exterior of the helmet through the inner protective layer
into an interior of the helmet.
12. The method of claim 8, further comprising forming an
interstitial space between the inner protective layer and the outer
protective shell; wherein the at least one intake port is
configured to direct the airflow from exterior of the helmet into
the interstitial space; and wherein the inner protective layer
includes at least one duct configured to direct the airflow from
the interstitial space into the interior of the helmet.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one intake port
comprises an enlarged opening formed between the outer protective
shell and the inner protective layer along the edge of a facial
opening in the helmet.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one intake port is
formed on the exterior of the outer protective shell and configured
to direct airflow through the outer protective shell into an
interstitial space between the outer protective shell and the inner
protective layer; and wherein the inner protective layer includes
at least one duct configured to direct the airflow from the
interstitial space into the interior of the helmet.
15. The method of claim 8, further comprising forming at least one
exit vent proximate a rear of the helmet configured to vent airflow
from the interior of the inner protective layer to the exterior of
the helmet.
16. The method of claim 8, wherein the inner protective layer
comprises expanded polystyrene.
17. The method of claim 8, wherein the outer protective shell
comprises polycarbonate plastic.
18. The method of claim 8, wherein the outer protective shell
comprises fiberglass.
19. The method of claim 8, wherein the outer protective shell
comprises carbon fiber.
20. The method of claim 8, wherein the outer protective shell
comprises carbon fiber/Kevlar/fiberglass tri-weave.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to protective
headgear and, more particularly, to a helmet having temple intake
ports.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Protective headgear, such as helmets, are often used in
activities, such as bicycling, skateboarding, motorcycling, rock
climbing, snowboarding, and skiing, that are associated with an
increased risk of head injury. Typically, such protective headgear
is designed to maintain its structural integrity and stay secured
to the head of a wearer, while protecting the wearer from a trauma
to the head. In many types of protective headgear, such as
motorcycle helmets, it is often desirable to offer substantially
full coverage to the top, back, and sides of the wearer's head to
better protect the wearer from head traumas. Unfortunately, this
full coverage may also cause heat and perspiration to accumulate
within the interior of the helmet leading to wearer discomfort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a
helmet having temple intake ports is provided. In a particular
embodiment, the helmet comprises an outer protective shell, an
inner protective layer disposed substantially within the outer
protective shell and configured to substantially enclose a wearer's
head, and at least one intake port proximate a temple area of the
helmet configured to direct airflow from an exterior of the helmet
through the inner protective layer into an interior of the
helmet.
[0004] A technical advantage of particular embodiments of the
present invention includes a helmet offering improved ventilation.
By positioning intake ports proximate the temples of the wearer,
particular embodiments of the present invention are able to better
direct airflow from the exterior of the helmet and direct it into
the interior of the helmet where it may cool the wearer.
[0005] Another technical advantage of particular embodiments of the
present invention includes the ability to ventilate a helmet
without diminishing the structural integrity of the helmet or
reducing the coverage provided to the wearer's head. By locating
intake ports proximate the temple areas of the helmet and directing
the airflow caught by the intake ports into the interior of the
helmet, particular embodiments of the present invention are able to
ventilate the helmet while still offering substantially full
coverage of the wearer's head.
[0006] Other technical advantages of the present invention may be
readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following
figures, descriptions, and claims. Moreover, while specific
advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may
include all, some, or none of the enumerated advantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] For a more complete understanding of the present invention
and features and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the
following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an environment in which a helmet in
accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention
may be used;
[0009] FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of a helmet in accordance
with a particular embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the helmet shown in FIG.
2A with a portion cut-away;
[0011] FIG. 2C illustrates a rear three-quarter view of the helmet
shown in FIGS. 2A and B with a portion cut-away;
[0012] FIG. 2D illustrates a front view of the helmet shown in
FIGS. 2A-C; and
[0013] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of ventilating a helmet in
accordance with a particular embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a
helmet having temple intake ports is provided. In a particular
embodiment, the helmet comprises an outer protective shell, an
inner protective layer disposed substantially within the outer
protective shell and configured to substantially enclose a wearer's
head, and at least one intake port proximate a temple area of the
helmet configured to direct airflow from an exterior of the helmet
through the inner protective layer into an interior of the helmet.
By equipping a helmet with these temple intake ports, particular
embodiments of the present invention are able to offer improved
ventilation for the wearer without diminishing the protection
provided by the helmet.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an environment 100 in
which a helmet 110 in accordance with a particular embodiment of
the present invention may be used. As shown in FIG. 1, environment
100 includes a user (wearer) 102 riding a motorcycle 104 and
wearing helmet 110. Generally, helmet 110 may comprise any type of
protective headgear, such as a bicycle helmet, motorcycle helmet,
or hardhat. Furthermore, although helmet 110 is used to describe a
particular embodiment of the present invention, it should be
understood that any type of headgear, protective or non-protective,
may benefit from the teachings of the present invention.
[0016] If user 102 were to accidentally fall off motorcycle 104,
user 102 could suffer various injuries, including head trauma.
Therefore, helmet 110 is designed to remain secured to head 106
during an impact while maintaining its structural integrity. In
accordance with the teachings of the present invention, helmet 110
is also designed to offer improved ventilation due to a pair of
temple intake ports located proximate the temple areas of helmet
110. These intake ports are designed to direct airflow into the
interior of helmet 110, where it may cool the head of user 102.
[0017] A better understanding of the present invention may be had
by making reference to FIGS. 2A-D, which illustrate different views
of helmet 110 in accordance with a particular embodiment of the
present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a side view of helmet
110, with FIG. 2B having a portion cut-away. FIG. 2C illustrates a
rear, three-quarter perspective view of helmet 110 with a portion
cut-away. FIG. 2D illustrates a front view of helmet 110.
[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2A-D, helmet 110 generally comprises an
inner protective layer 204 disposed substantially within an outer
protective layer or shell 202. Generally, inner protective layer
204 of helmet 110 may be formed from any suitable material that can
protect a user's head from an impact, such as expanded polystyrene
(EPS), while outer protective shell 202 may be formed from any
suitable material that can provide an additional layer of
protection around inner protective layer 204, such as polycarbonate
plastic, fiberglass, or carbon fiber/Kevlar/fiberglass tri-weave.
In particular embodiments, helmet 110 may also include a comfort
liner 250 configured to provide further cushioning for the wearer's
head and/or absorb perspiration inside the interior of helmet
110.
[0019] Generally, helmet 110 is configured to substantially enclose
the top, back, and sides of a wearer's head. However, in particular
embodiments helmet 110 includes a facial opening 230 configured to
leave at least a portion of the wearer's field of vision
unobscured. In fact, in particular embodiments of the present
invention, facial opening 230 may leave substantially all of the
wearer's face unenclosed. However, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A-D,
other embodiments of helmet 110 may include a faceguard 240
configured to protect the chin, mouth, and/or nose of the wearer
from impact. Particular embodiments of the present invention may
also include a visor 220 extending forward from the front of helmet
110 above the eyes of the wearer to shield the wearer's eyes from
the sun and/or debris.
[0020] Helmet 110 also includes one or more intake ports 208 (FIGS.
2A and D) located proximate the temple areas of the helmet. As used
herein, "temple area" refers the portion of the helmet that is
proximate the temple area of the head of the wearer. Generally each
intake port 208 comprises a forward-facing air inlet that directs
airflow into the interior of helmet 110 to cool the head of the
wearer and dissipate perspiration that may have accumulated within
helmet 110.
[0021] In particular embodiments of the present invention, intake
ports 208 may each be formed between inner protective layer 204 and
outer protective shell 202 at the edge of facial opening 230, near
the temple area of helmet 110, as shown in FIG. 2D. In such an
embodiment, intake ports 208 may appear as an enlarged gap between
inner protective layer 204 and outer protective shell 202 at the
temples of helmet 110. This enlarged gap is actually designed to
catch airflow, particularly when helmet 110 is in motion, such as
when being worn by a user riding a motorcycle. For example, in
particular embodiments, intake ports 208 may be configured to
capture high-velocity airflow that comes off either the face or
goggles of the wearer. In such an embodiment, intake ports 208 may
direct this airflow into a interstitial space 260 (FIG. 2C)
separating outer protective shell 202 from inner protective layer
204. It should be recognized, however, that interstitial space 260
need not comprise the entire interface between outer protective
shell 202 and inner protective layer 240. In fact, in particular
embodiments of the present invention, interstitial space 260 need
only comprise the area between outer protective shell 202 and inner
protective layer 240 adjacent intake ports 208. Regardless of the
extent of interstitial space 260, one or more of air ducts 210
(FIG. 2C) formed through inner protective layer 204 then direct the
airflow from interstitial space 260, through inner protective layer
204, into the interior of helmet 110. In particular embodiments of
helmet 110 including liner 250, liner 250 may also comprise mesh
panels 290 positioned to allow air flow from air ducts 210 to enter
the interior of helmet 110.
[0022] In other embodiments of the present invention, rather than
being formed at the intersection of inner protective layer 204 and
outer protective shell 202, intake ports 208 may be formed on the
exterior surface of outer protective shell 202 proximate the temple
areas of helmet 110. Intake ports 208 may then direct airflow
through outer protective shell 202 into interstitial space 260 and
on into the interior of helmet 110 as discussed above.
[0023] Furthermore, in particular embodiments of the present
invention, intake port 208 may include a screen covering configured
to prevent large particles and debris from entering and potentially
clogging intake port 208.
[0024] Once the airflow has been directed into the interior of
helmet 110, the air may then cool the head of the wearer and help
to dry or evaporate any perspiration that may have accumulated
inside the helmet. In particular embodiments, the air may then be
vented out of helmet 110 using one or more exit ducts 280 through
inner protective layer 204 located at the top and/or rear of helmet
110. These exit ducts 280 direct the vented air out of helmet 110
through one or more exit ports 270 through outer protective shell
202 located at the top and/or rear of helmet 110. In combination
with intake ports 208, exit ports 270 help to ensure adequate
airflow through helmet 110.
[0025] Unlike traditional crown ports (i.e., vent holes formed
through the helmet proximate the top of the helmet) or exit ports,
temple intake ports 208 in accordance with the teachings of the
present invention help provide enhanced airflow through helmet 110.
By positioning intake ports 208 proximate the temple areas of
helmet 110, intake ports 208 are better able to collect airflow
when helmet 110 is in motion and direct that airflow into the
interior of helmet 110 where it may cool the head of the wearer and
help dissipate any perspiration that may have accumulated.
Furthermore, in particular embodiments of the present invention,
intake ports 208 may be provided without creating holes through
outer protective shell 202 that might weaken shell 202.
[0026] A better understanding of the system and method of the
present invention may be had by referring to FIG. 3, which
illustrates flowchart 300 of one method of ventilating a helmet in
accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention.
After beginning in at step 302, flowchart 300 proceeds to step 304,
where an inner protective layer is formed from a suitable material
that can protect a wearer's head from an impact. An example of one
such material is expanded polystyrene (EPS). Typically, this inner
protective layer is formed by injecting a mold in the shape of the
inner protective layer with EPS and then heating the mold such that
the EPS expands to take the shape of the mold. In particular
embodiments, this inner protective layer may also be formed as
separate parts which are later jointed together to form a single
inner protective layer.
[0027] One or more ducts are formed through the inner protective
layer in step 306. These ducts provide a passageway through which
airflow may be directed into the interior of the inner protective
layer to cool the wearer's head. In particular embodiments of the
present invention, these ducts may be formed at the same time as
the inner protective layer. In such an embodiment, the ducts may
simply be defined by the mold used to form the inner protective
layer. In other embodiments, the ducts may be formed through the
inner protective layer by machining or other suitable means. In yet
other embodiments, the ducts may be formed by joining together two
pieces of the inner protective layer (in a helmet with a
multi-piece inner protective layer) such that each of the two
pieces defines part of the duct.
[0028] At step 308, an outer protective shell is formed from a
material that can provide an additional layer of protection around
the inner protective layer. Examples of such a material include
carbon fiber/Kevlar/fiberglass tri-weave, fiberglass, and
injection-molded polycarbonate plastic. In particular embodiments,
this outer protective shell is formed separately from the inner
protective layer.
[0029] At step 310, the inner protective layer is then inserted
into the outer protective shell. In particular embodiments of the
present invention, this may require inserting the inner protective
layer into the outer protective shell in separate pieces, as inner
protective layer may be too large to fit through the facial opening
or neck opening of the outer protective shell in one piece. Once
inserted into the outer protective shell, the inner protective
layer may be secured inside the outer protective shell using an
adhesive or other method of coupling the two. In particular
embodiments of the present invention, the inner protective layer
may be positioned inside the outer protective shell such that an
interstitial space is formed between the inner protective layer and
the outer protective shell at one or more locations on the helmet
(e.g., the temple areas).
[0030] At step 312, one or more intake ports configured to direct
airflow into the interstitial space between the inner protective
layer and outer protective shell are formed. Generally, these
intake ports are located proximate the temple areas of the helmet.
In particular embodiments of the present invention, these intake
ports may be formed at the intersection of the inner protective
layer and outer protective shell at the edge of the facial opening
of the helmet. In other embodiments, the intake ports may be formed
on the exterior of the outer protective shell proximate the temple
areas of the helmet. These exterior intake ports then direct
airflow through the outer protective shell, into the interstitial
space between the outer protective shell and inner protective
layer, and on into the interior of the helmet.
[0031] After the intake ports have been successfully formed, such
that the ports direct airflow from the exterior of the helmet into
the interior of the helmet, flowchart 300 terminates at step
314.
[0032] Although flowchart 300 describes a particular order of steps
for assembling a ventilated helmet in accordance with a particular
embodiment of the present invention, particular embodiments of the
present invention may use all, some, or none of the steps described
above. Moreover, particular embodiments may perform those steps in
a different order than that described above without departing from
the teachings of the present invention.
[0033] By directing airflow from the exterior of a helmet into the
interior of the helmet through one or more temple intake ports,
particular embodiments of the present invention offer improved
ventilation for the wearer, helping to cool the wearer's head and
dissipate any perspiration that may have accumulated inside the
helmet, while providing adequate protection for the wearer from
head trauma and/or other injuries.
[0034] Although particular embodiments of the method and apparatus
of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying
drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it
will be understood that the invention is not limited to the
embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements,
modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit
of the invention as set forth and defined by the following
claims.
* * * * *