U.S. patent application number 11/467191 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-13 for combination hat and helmet.
This patent application is currently assigned to TROXEL, LLC. Invention is credited to Richard M. Timms.
Application Number | 20080060117 11/467191 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39168065 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080060117 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Timms; Richard M. |
March 13, 2008 |
Combination Hat And Helmet
Abstract
A hat-helmet combination includes a hat having a protective
helmet removably disposed therein. The hat has a continuous lower
rim, and a hollow dome extending from the lower rim to a central
crown, the lower rim and dome collectively defining a forward
portion, a rearward portion, and lateral portions of the hat. The
helmet includes an outer impact-resistant shell, an inner foam
liner, and a chin strap. The shell and the liner each have a
continuous lower rim and a hollow dome extending from the lower rim
to a central crown, the lower rim and dome collectively defining a
forward portion, a rearward portion, and lateral portions of the
helmet.
Inventors: |
Timms; Richard M.; (Del Mar,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WALTER W. DUFT;LAW OFFICES OF WALTER W. DUFT
8616 MAIN ST, SUITE 2
WILLIAMSVILLE
NY
14221
US
|
Assignee: |
TROXEL, LLC
San Diego
CA
|
Family ID: |
39168065 |
Appl. No.: |
11/467191 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/171 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/003 20130101;
A42B 1/08 20130101; A42B 3/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/171 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/04 20060101
A42B001/04 |
Claims
1. A hat-helmet combination, comprising: a hat having a continuous
lower rim, and a hollow dome extending from said lower rim to a
central crown, said lower rim and dome collectively defining a
forward portion, a rearward portion, and lateral portions of said
hat; a helmet removably disposed in said hat, said helmet
comprising: an outer impact-resistant shell having a continuous
lower rim and a hollow dome extending from said lower rim to a
central crown, said lower rim and dome collectively defining a
forward portion, a rearward portion, and lateral portions of said
outer shell; an inner foam liner nested in the dome of said outer
shell, said inner liner having a continuous lower rim coextensive
with said outer shell lower rim and a hollow dome extending from
said lower rim to a central crown to provide a head receiving
cavity, said lower rim and said dome collectively defining a
forward portion, a rearward portion, and lateral portions of said
inner liner; said helmet being removably retained in said hat
solely by way of a tight friction fit provided by a relatively
large area of frictional contact between said helmet and said hat,
said frictional contact area comprising said outer shell forward,
rearward and lateral portions being substantially vertical from
said lower rim to nearly the level of said central crown, and said
hat forward, rearward and lateral portions having a substantially
matching configuration in tight fitting frictional contact
therewith: and a chin strap secured to said helmet.
2. A hat-helmet according to claim 1, wherein said hat comprises
felt or fur material.
3. A hat-helmet according to claim 1, wherein said hat comprises a
decorative hat band surrounding said lower rim.
4. A hat-helmet according to claim 1, wherein said hat comprises a
continuous brim extending from said lower rim.
5. A hat-helmet according to claim 1, wherein said hat comprises a
decorative recess in said crown.
6. A hat-helmet according to claim 5, wherein said helmet crown is
spaced from said hat crown in order to accommodate said recess.
7. A hat-helmet according to claim 1, wherein said hat comprises an
English derby configuration.
8. A hat-helmet according to claim 1, wherein said hat-helmet
comprises cooling vents.
9. A hat-helmet according to claim 1, wherein said helmet dome is
shaped to conform to a wearer's head while minimizing the size of
said hat dome.
10. (canceled)
11. A head protection customization method, comprising: providing a
set of one or more helmets of different size, each helmet
including: an outer impact-resistant shell having a continuous
lower rim and a hollow dome extending from said lower rim to a
central crown, said lower rim and dome collectively defining a
forward portion, a rearward portion, and lateral portions of said
outer shell; an inner foam liner nested in the dome of said outer
shell, said inner liner having a continuous lower rim coextensive
with said outer shell lower rim and a hollow dome extending from
said lower rim to a central crown to provide a head receiving
cavity, said lower rim and said dome collectively defining a
forward portion, a rearward portion, and lateral portions of said
inner liner; said helmet being removably retained in said hat
solely by way of a tight friction fit provided by a relatively
large area of frictional contact between said helmet and said hat,
said frictional contact area comprising said outer shell forward,
rearward and lateral portions being substantially vertical from
said lower rim to nearly the level of said central crown, and said
hat forward, rearward and lateral portions having a substantially
matching configuration in tight- fitting frictional contact
therewith: and a chin strap; providing a set of two or more hats of
different style, each hat having a continuous lower rim, and a
hollow dome extending from said lower rim to a central crown, said
lower rim and dome collectively defining a forward portion, a
rearward portion, and lateral portions of said hat; providing
configuration instructions for use by a headgear wearer, said
instructions including: instructions relating to said wearer
selecting one of said helmets according to a size of said helmet;
instructions relating to said wearer selecting one of said hats
according to a desired hat style; instructions relating to said
wearer removably mounting said selected hat on said selected helmet
solely by way of said tight friction fit to constitute a
hat-helmet; and instructions relating to said wearer placing said
hat-helmet on said wearer's head and securing said helmet for use
by way of said chin strap.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said hats comprise felt
or fur material.
13. A method according to claim 11, wherein said hats comprise a
decorative hat band surrounding said lower rim.
14. A method according to claim 11, wherein said hats comprise a
continuous brim extending from said lower rim.
15. A method according to claim 11, wherein said hats comprise a
decorative recess in said crown.
16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said helmet crown is
spaced from said hat crown in order to accommodate said recess.
17. A method according to claim 11, wherein one of said hats
comprises an English derby configuration.
18. A method according to claim 11, wherein said hat-helmet
comprises cooling vents.
19. A method according to claim 11, wherein said helmet dome is
shaped to conform to a wearer's head while minimizing the size of
said hat dome.
20. (canceled)
21. A hat-helmet combination, comprising: a hat having a continuous
lower rim, and a hollow dome extending from said lower rim to a
central crown, said lower rim and dome collectively defining a
forward portion, a rearward portion, and lateral portions of said
hat, said hat comprising felt or fur material and having a derby
configuration that includes said dome being rounded with a
decorative recess, a continuous brim extending from said lower rim,
and a decorative hat band surrounding said lower rim; a vented
helmet removably disposed in said hat, said helmet having an
impact-resistant outer shell and an inner foam liner, a continuous
lower rim comprising coextensive continuous lower rim portions of
said outer shell and said inner liner, and a hollow dome extending
from said lower rim to a central crown, said lower rim and dome
collectively defining a forward portion, a rearward portion, and
lateral portions of said helmet, said dome being shaped to minimize
the size of said hat dome and said helmet crown being spaced from
said hat crown; said helmet being removably retained in said hat
solely by way of a tight friction fit provided by a relatively
large area of frictional contact between said helmet and said hat,
said frictional contact area comprising said outer shell forward,
rearward and lateral portions being substantially vertical from
said lower rim to nearly the level of said central crown, and said
hat forward, rearward and lateral portions having a substantially
matching configuration in tight fitting frictional contact
therewith: and a chin strap secured to said helmet.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of protective
headgear, and more particularly to improved headgear for equestrian
use.
[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0004] There are many types of protective headgear that are
presently in use for a variety of recreational activities and
work-related uses. One environment where protective headgear is
becoming increasingly prevalent is equestrian riding. There is
mounting evidence showing that the use of ASTM certified equestrian
headgear saves many lives, and a number of equestrian organizations
are now requiring the use of such devices. As with many headgear
applications, the external appearance of the headgear is an
important determinant of its acceptability among prospective
wearers. Unfortunately, the only available protective headgear
style for equestrian use is based on the English riding hat, which
comprises a rounded head covering portion and a forward brim.
Although there are variants within this category of protective
headgear, these fall into two major classes; namely, training and
show models. The training equestrian models feature a plastic outer
shell decorated with background colors, graphics and/or logos. The
show equestrian models feature a plastic outer shell covered with
soft material, usually a velvet or micro fiber material. They are
typically provided with a decorative top button and a rear ribbon
in order to comply with the aesthetic requirements imposed on
English saddle riders performing in competitive show events.
[0005] There are many equestrian riders who do not wish to wear an
English riding hat, and instead prefer other styles of headgear.
Examples of such headgear include the English derby hat for
Tennessee Walker riding and the western cowboy hat for all types of
western riding. A protective helmet having a protective shell and
an inner liner combined with a western cowboy hat has been
previously proposed. However the hat is permanently attached to the
protective shell. Insofar as the inner liner is designed to crush
upon impact in order to absorb traumatic energies associated with a
fall, the entire assembly must be replaced whenever the helmet
experiences sufficiently high impact force.
[0006] Current manufactures of protective headgear for equestrian
riding do not offer styles such as the English derby hat or the
western cowboy hat in protective formats that allow the rider
flexibility of color, shaping and styling. Indeed, the complex
configuration details and decorative materials used in such hats
tend to preclude the use of protective headgear construction
methods. As to configuration, the English derby hat and the western
cowboy hat normally feature a large crease or recess in the crown
portion of the hat and a continuous brim with complex curvature
extending outwardly from the lower rim of the head-receiving
portion. As to materials, the English derby hat and the western
cowboy hat are typically made of a soft material such as felt or
fur, and often include a decorative headband, a ribbon or feather,
and possibly other styling features, all comprising dissimilar
materials. These materials do little to protect a wearer's head in
the event of an impact.
[0007] Accordingly, a need exists in the protective headgear art
for protective headgear that overcomes the foregoing disadvantages.
What is required is an improved protective headgear design that
provides wearers with the ability to select headgear styles that
are traditionally not impact resistant, such as hats, while
offering a level of head protection that is consistent with
prevailing headgear certification standards. The ability to replace
the headgear protective portion without replacing the entire
headgear (e.g., in the event of an impact) would also be
beneficial.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The foregoing problems are solved and an advance in the art
is achieved by a hat-helmet combination that includes a hat having
a protective helmet removably disposed therein. The hat has a
continuous lower rim and a hollow dome extending from the lower rim
to a central crown. The lower rim and dome collectively define a
forward portion, a rearward portion, and lateral portions of the
hat. The helmet includes an outer impact-resistant shell, an inner
foam liner, and a chin strap. The shell and the liner each have a
continuous lower rim and a hollow dome extending from the lower rim
to a central crown, with the lower rim and dome collectively
defining a forward portion, a rearward portion, and lateral
portions of the helmet.
[0009] According to an exemplary embodiment illustrated herein, the
hat may comprise felt or fur material and/or a decorative hat band
surrounding the lower rim. The hat may further comprise a
continuous brim extending from the lower rim and/or a decorative
recess in the crown thereof. In order to accommodate the recess,
the helmet crown may be spaced from the hat crown. Overall, the hat
may comprise any desired hat style, such as an English derby
configuration. If desired, the hat-helmet may be provided with
cooling vents. The helmet dome may be shaped to conform to a
wearer's head while minimizing the size of said hat dome. The hat
may be removably secured to the helmet by way of a friction fit
between an outside surface of the helmet dome and an inside surface
of the hat dome.
[0010] In another aspect, a head protection customization method is
provided whereby a person can customize the hat-helmet for a
particular use. According to the customization method, a headgear
wearer may be provided with a set of one or more helmets of
different size and a set of two or more hats of different style.
Configuration instructions are also provided for use by the wearer.
The configuration instructions may include instructions relating to
the wearer selecting one of the helmets according to a size of the
helmet, instructions relating to the wearer selecting one of the
hats according to a desired hat style, instructions relating to the
wearer removably mounting the selected hat on the selected helmet
to constitute a hat-helmet, and instructions relating to the wearer
placing the hat-helmet on the wearer's head and securing the helmet
for use by way of the chin strap.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
invention will be apparent from the following more particular
description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a combination
hat-helmet constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the hat-helmet of FIG.
1 showing the head-receiving interior portion thereof;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the hat-helmet of
FIG. 1 showing the hat portion separated from the helmet
portion;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a front view of the helmet portion of the
hat-helmet of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of the helmet portion of the
hat-helmet of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a front view showing the hat-helmet of FIG. 1
secured on a wearer's head;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view showing the hat-helmet of FIG. 1
secured on a wearer's head; and
[0019] FIG. 8 is a side view of the hat-helmet of FIG. 1 with a
portion thereof broken away to provide a cross-sectional
representation of internal construction features.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0020] Turning now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals
indicate like elements in all of the several views, FIGS. 1-3
illustrate a hat-helmet combination 2 that is designed, by way of
example only, for equestrian use. The hat-helmet 2 includes a hat 4
having a continuous lower rim 6 and a hollow dome 8 extending from
the lower rim to a central crown 10. The lower rim 6 and the dome 8
collectively define a forward portion 12, a rearward portion 14,
and lateral portions 16 of the hat 4. The hat 4 can be made of any
suitable material, including felt or fur material of the type
normally used in hat construction.
[0021] A helmet 18 is removably disposed in the hat 4. The helmet
18 includes an outer impact-resistant shell 20 having a continuous
lower rim 22 and a hollow dome 24 extending from the lower rim to a
central crown 26. The lower rim 22 and the dome 26 collectively
define a forward portion 28, a rearward portion 30, and lateral
portions 32 of the outer shell 18. The helmet 18 can be made from
any suitable impact resistant material, such as molded
polypropylene plastic.
[0022] With additional reference to FIG. 8, the helmet 18 further
includes an inner foam liner 34 nested in the dome 24 of the outer
shell 20. The inner liner 34 has a continuous lower rim 36 and a
hollow dome 38 extending from the lower rim to a central crown 40
to provide a head receiving cavity 42. The lower rim 36 and the
dome collectively define a forward portion 44, a rearward portion
46, and lateral portions 48 of the inner liner 34 (see FIG. 2). The
inner liner 34 can be made from any suitable impact cushioning
material, such as expanded polystyrene foam.
[0023] The helmet 18 is preferably constructed as a fully
protective headgear device that meets or exceeds prevailing
protective headgear certification requirements. It may additionally
include chin strap securement system comprising mutually
connectable strap-and-buckle assemblies 52 and 54 is secured to the
helmet 18 between the outer shell 20 and the inner liner 34. In
particular, the strap ends of each strap-and-buckle assembly 52 and
54 may be adhered to inside surfaces of the lateral portions 32 of
the outer shell 20, and adjacent to outside surfaces of the lateral
portions 48 of the inner liner. If desired, optional cooling vent
holes 56 may be formed in the helmet 18, such as extending through
the crown of 26 of the helmet 20 and the crown 40 of the inner
liner 34. Although not shown, corresponding vents may be formed in
the hat 4. For increased wearer comfort, an inner headband 57 made
of cushioning material may be provided on the inside surface of the
lower rim 36 of the inner liner 34. A head cushioning pad 57A may
likewise be provided on the inside surface of the dome 40 of the
inner liner 34.
[0024] The hat 4 may optionally comprise a decorative hat band 58
surrounding its lower rim 6. A continuous brim 60 may also be
formed on the hat 4, so as to extend from the lower rim 6. A
decorative recess 62 (e.g., a crease) of any suitable shape may
likewise be formed in the crown 10 of the hat 4. As shown in FIG.
8, the crown 26 of the helmet's outer shell 18 may be spaced from
the hat crown 10 in order to accommodate the recess 62. On the
other hand, the rim 6 and the lower portion of the hat dome 8 are
preferably closely matched in size to the rim 22 and the lower
portion of the outer shell dome 24 in order to provide a tight
friction fit that helps retain the hat 4 on the helmet 18 during
use. This tight-fitting friction relationship can be seen in FIG.
8. It will also be seen in FIGS. 4-7 that the lateral sides 32 of
the outer shell 20 (FIG. 4) are generally vertical for a
substantial distance from the lower rim 22, and do not begin to
substantially curve until the level of the crown 26 is nearly
reached. The lateral sides 16 of the hat 4 have a similar
configuration (FIG. 6), which thus provides a large surface area
for frictional contact between the hat and the outer shell 20.
FIGS. 5 and 7 show a similar large surface area for frictional
contact between the generally vertical forward and rearward
portions 28 and 30 of the outer shell 20 and the forward and
rearward portions 12 and 14 of the hat 4. Although the foregoing
configuration provides good frictional contact between the hat 4
and the helmet 18, the helmet is not so tall or bulky as to result
in the hat 4 become excessively large relative to the head of the
wearer W. Instead, the helmet 18 is shaped to conform to a wearer's
head as much as possible, thereby minimizing the size of the dome 8
of the hat 4.
[0025] It will be appreciated that the shape of the brim 60, and to
a lesser extent the shape of the recess 62, will tend to dictate
the style of the hat 4. In FIGS. 1-8, the brim 60 and the recess 62
are shaped to define an English derby configuration for the hat 4.
Other hat styles may also be used in conjunction with the helmet 18
to provide the hat-helmet 2. For example, the recess 62 could be
removed so as to form an English derby hat configuration with an
outwardly rounded top. To provide a western cowboy hat
configuration, the brim 60 could be enlarged to provide the
distinctive western look and feel.
[0026] An advantage of the hat-helmet 2 is that it provides the
ability for wearers to mount different styles of the hat 4 on a
single helmet 18. This is important because hat styling, shape,
color and the like can be readily altered by the wearer, for
example, to match the hat-helmet with a riding outfit. Moreover,
insofar as the helmet 18 is the impact-absorbing component of the
hat-helmet 2, its inner liner 34 is designed to crush on impact in
order to absorb much of the traumatic energies associated with a
fall. Thus, after each fall, the helmet 18 should be replaced. By
making the hat 4 separable from the helmet 18, the helmet can be
replaced without having to also replace the hat, which may be quite
expensive. Indeed, depending on the materials used in the hat 4,
its cost may be many times that of the helmet 18.
[0027] If desired, a head protection customization method can be
implemented by a helmet provider on behalf of customers. According
to the customization method, a helmet provider may provide a
headgear wearer (e.g., via a retail display, an online display,
product packaging, etc.) with a set of one or more helmets 18 of
different size and a set of two or more hats 4 of different style.
Configuration instructions may also be provided for use by the
wearer (e.g., via a retail display, an online display, a package
insert, etc.). The configuration instructions may include
instructions relating to the wearer selecting one of the helmets 18
according to the size of the wearer's head. For example, the helmet
18 may be selected so as to achieve a best fit consistent with
safety requirements. The configuration instructions may also
include instructions relating to the wearer selecting one of the
hats according to a desired hat style. Thus, the hat 4 may be
selected for aesthetic reasons. In addition, in the event that
different sizes of the helmet 18 require different sizes of the hat
4, the hat 4 may be additionally selected according to the selected
helmet size. Preferably, however, the number of different helmet
sizes can be minimized so that a large number of hat sizes are not
required. This could be achieved by configuring the inner head band
57 and the cushioning pad 57A as an adjustable system that allows a
single helmet 18 to accommodate heads of different size, as is
known in the headgear art. The configuration adjustment
instructions may further include instructions relating to the
wearer removably mounting the selected hat on the selected helmet
so as to constitute the hat-helmet 2, followed by instructions
relating to the wearer placing the hat-helmet on the wearer's head
and securing the helmet for use by way of the chin strap (see FIGS.
6 and 7).
[0028] Accordingly, a combination hat-helmet has been disclosed.
Advantageously, the hat-helmet provides wearers with the ability to
select a larger range of certified protective headgear styles than
would otherwise be possible. This is particularly advantageous in
the field of equestrian riding, where riders who wish to use
certified headgear had not enjoyed a variety of headgear style
choices. Nor has the ability to customize protective headgear by
replacing one hat with another on a protective helmet been
heretofore provided. It should, of course, be understood that the
description and the drawings herein are merely illustrative, and it
will be apparent that various modifications, combinations and
changes can be made in accordance with the invention. As such, the
invention is not to be in any way limited except in accordance with
the spirit of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *