U.S. patent application number 11/702084 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-15 for helmet ear loop.
Invention is credited to Garnet Alexander, Vittorio Bologna.
Application Number | 20070261154 11/702084 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35786856 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070261154 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bologna; Vittorio ; et
al. |
November 15, 2007 |
Helmet ear loop
Abstract
An ear loop for a helmet and a helmet having the ear loop is
described. The ear loop is connectable to a chin strap of the
helmet, and allows movement of the chin strap about the ear loop.
The ear loop has one or more features for restricting movement of
the chin strap along the ear loop to provide some freedom of
movement while ensuring that the positioning of the chin strap
remains within a desired range
Inventors: |
Bologna; Vittorio; (Chicago,
IL) ; Alexander; Garnet; (Beaconsfield, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OGILVY RENAULT LLP
1981 MCGILL COLLEGE AVENUE
SUITE 1600
MONTREAL
QC
H3A2Y3
CA
|
Family ID: |
35786856 |
Appl. No.: |
11/702084 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/CA05/01217 |
Aug 4, 2005 |
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11702084 |
Feb 5, 2007 |
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60598423 |
Aug 4, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/423 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/423 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/08 20060101
A42B001/08 |
Claims
1. An ear loop for a helmet, the ear loop being connectable to a
chin strap of the helmet, the ear loop having a feature allowing
movement of the chin strap about the ear loop along a restricted
path only, the restricted path being limited to a predetermined
portion of the ear loop.
2. The ear loop of claim 1, wherein the feature comprises a
longitudinal slit in the ear loop, and the chin strap passes
through the slit, whereby the movement of the chin strap is
restricted by lateral ends of the slit.
3. The ear loop of claim 1, wherein the feature comprises first and
second protrusions on the ear loop, the chin strap being connected
to the ear loop between the first and second protrusions.
4. The ear loop of claim 1, wherein the feature comprises a bridge
extending from the ear loop, the bridge having first and second
feet, and the chin strap being connected to the ear loop between
the first and second feet.
5. The ear loop of claim 1, wherein the feature comprises a button
protruding from the ear loop co-operable with a traverse slit in
the chin strap to restrict movement of the chin strap relative to
the ear loop.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of International Application No.
PCT/CA2005/001217 filed Aug. 4, 2005, designating the United
States, which itself claims priority on U.S. provisional
application No. 60/598,423, filed Aug. 4, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an ear loop for helmets.
More particularly, the invention relates to a sporting helmet ear
loop to which a chin strap may be connected.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
ear loop for a helmet, the ear loop being connectable to a chin
strap of the helmet, the ear loop having a feature allowing
movement of the chin strap about the ear loop along a restricted
path only, the restricted path being limited to a predetermined
portion of the ear loop.
[0004] Other and further advantages and features of the invention
will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description of embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The foregoing and other aspects of the invention will become
more apparent from the following description of specific
embodiments thereof and the accompanying drawings which illustrate,
by way of example only, the principles of the invention. In the
drawings, where like elements feature like reference numerals (and
wherein individual elements bear unique alphabetical suffixes):
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a helmet with an ear loop
according to prior art;
[0007] FIG. 2 shows a blown up view of the ear loop of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a helmet with an ear loop
according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 4 shows a blown up view of the ear loop of FIG. 3;
[0010] FIG. 5 shows an ear loop according to an alternate
embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 6 shows an ear loop according to another alternate
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0012] FIG. 7 shows an ear loop according to yet another alternate
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0013] The description which follows, and the embodiments described
therein, are provided by way of illustration of an example, or
examples, of particular embodiments of the principles of the
present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of
explanation, and not limitation, of those principles and of the
invention. In the description, which follows, like parts are marked
throughout the specification and the drawings with the same
respective reference numerals.
[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a prior art sporting
helmet 2 having an ear loop 4 and a chin strap 10 (not fully
shown). The ear loop 4 is connected to the helmet 2 using
connectors 6 going through corresponding helmet slots 8.
Alternatively various other connectors or connection methods known
to a person skilled in the art may be used as well. Finally, the
chin strap 10 is connected to the ear loop 4 by rolling its end
around the chin strip 10 and sewing it back unto itself.
Alternatively, the chin strap may be attached back unto itself
using a pressure button, Velcro or any other such means. FIG. 2
shows a blown up view of the connection of the chin strap 10 to the
ear loop 4. It may be seen in FIG. 2 that the chin strap 10 may
move freely about the ear loop 4 along a path 11 and, for example,
displace itself up to position 10a, which in turn displaces the
positioning of the chin strap 10 along and under the wearer's jaw
and chin (not shown).
[0015] To prevent excessive displacement of the positioning of a
chin strap along an ear loop, the ear loop may be provided with a
feature for restricting movement of the chin strap along the ear
loop.
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a sporting helmet 2
having an ear loop 5, according to an embodiment of the present
invention, and a chin strap 10 (not fully shown). The ear loop 5 is
connected to the helmet 2 using connectors 6 going through
corresponding helmet slots 8. Alternatively various other
connectors or connection methods known to a person skilled in the
art may be used as well. Finally, the chin strap 10 is connected to
the ear loop 5 by passing it through ear loop slit 12 and
connecting it back unto itself, for example by sewing it.
Alternatively, the chin strap may be attached back unto itself
using a pressure button, Velcro or any other such means. The chin
strap 10 may also use a looped member (not shown) or any other type
of connector suitable for connection through the ear loop slit.
FIG. 4 shows a blown up view of the connection of the chin strap 10
to the ear loop 5 through ear loop slit 12. It may be seen in FIG.
4 that the chin strap 10 may move freely about the ear loop 5 along
restricted path 13, which allows chin strap 10 some freedom of
movement while ensuring that its positioning remains within a
secure and comfortable range.
[0017] In other embodiments, another feature may be used for
restricting movement of a chin strap along an ear loop, as
described in some examples below.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 5, an alternate embodiment is shown.
Therein, protrusions 24, 26 are provided along ear loop 20
extending outwardly from a surface of ear loop 20. One arrangement,
as shown, has protrusions 24, 26 extending downwardly from ear loop
20. Each protrusion may be alternatively located elsewhere on a
surface of ear loop 20. Chin strap 22 is connected to ear loop 20
between protrusions 24, 26 in the same manner described above with
respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. Protrusions 24, 26 may be integral to ear
loop 20, or be attachments secured to ear loop 20. In the
embodiment, the connection of chin strap 22 to ear loop 20, such as
by sewing chin strap 22 onto itself, creates space around ear loop
20 such that chin strap 22 may move along ear loop 20. Protrusions
24, 26 are of a dimension that, in combination the connection of
chin strap 22 to ear loop 20, prevents chin strap 22 from moving
past protrusions 24, 26 despite the space created by the
connection. For the embodiment, chin strap 22 may move freely about
ear loop 20 along restricted path 28, to allow chin strap 22 some
freedom of movement while protrusions 24, 26 hold it within a
desired position range between protrusions 24, 26.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 6, another alternate embodiment is shown.
Therein, chin strap 32 is connected to ear loop 30 in the same
manner described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. Bridge 34 is
also provided with ear loop 30. Bridge 34 may be integral to ear
loop 30, or be an attachment securable to ear loop 30. In the
embodiment, the connection of chin strap 32 to ear loop 30 is
between feet 35, 36 of bridge 34 to prevent chin strap 32 from
moving past feet 35, 36 of bridge 34. Chin strap 32 may move freely
along ear loop along restricted path 38, to allow chin strap 32
some freedom of movement while bridge 34 holds it in place within a
desired position range relative to ear loop 30.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 7, yet another alternate embodiment is
shown. Therein, chin strap 42 is connected to ear loop 40 in the
same manner described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. Button
44 protruding from ear loop 40 is provided, and a complementary
slit 46 in chin strap 42 is also provided and cooperates with
button 44. Slit 46 is dimensioned to cooperate with button 44 such
that, when slit 46 is placed over button 44, chin strap 42 may
freely move along restricted path 48 of ear loop 40 while chin
strap 42 is also held in place within a desired position range
relative to ear loop 40. Restricted path 48 is defined by the
lateral size of slit 46.
[0021] In other embodiments, strap 42 may be loosely coupled to ear
loop 40 by one or more securing straps. Each securing strap is
connected at one end to chin strap 42 and at another end to ear
loop 40. As such chin strap 42 moves away in a direction from a
securing strap's connection at ear loop 40, the securing strap
becomes more taut and eventually, when sufficiently taut, prevents
chin strap 42 from traveling further in that direction.
[0022] Although the invention has been described with reference to
certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be
apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims
appended hereto.
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