U.S. patent application number 11/655513 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for sports helmet with goggle strap retainers.
Invention is credited to Robert Scott Higgins.
Application Number | 20080172775 11/655513 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39639805 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080172775 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Higgins; Robert Scott |
July 24, 2008 |
Sports helmet with goggle strap retainers
Abstract
A sports helmet having a pair of strap retainers affixed thereto
is provided for use with goggles held on a wearer's head by a
strap. One strap retainer is affixed on each side of the helmet at
a height above the goggle strap when the goggles are over the eyes
of the wearer. The strap retainers are formed with an inner arm
affixed to the side of the helmet and an outer arm spaced
therefrom. When the wearer moves the goggles upward from the eyes
to rest on the front rim of the helmet, the strap slides along the
helmet and is entrapped in each strap retainer to prevent the
goggles from sliding over the top of the helmet to an inconvenient
position.
Inventors: |
Higgins; Robert Scott;
(Tuckahoe, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL R. PHILLIPS
P.O. BOX 1818
TOMS RIVER
NJ
08754-1818
US
|
Family ID: |
39639805 |
Appl. No.: |
11/655513 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/422 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/185 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/422 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/04 20060101
A42B003/04 |
Claims
1. A sports helmet having a pair of goggle strap retainers
configured with an elongate first arm residing in substantially
parallel relation to an exterior surface of the sports helmet, the
first arm being connected to a bridge at an upper end and spaced
from the exterior surface of the helmet to retain an open entry at
a lower end, one of the goggle strap retainers being affixed to
each side of the sports helmet at a position incrementally higher
than an upper edge of a goggle strap when a pair of goggles resides
over the eyes of the wearer.
2. The sports helmet described in claim 1, wherein each of the
goggle strap retainers further comprises a second arm fixedly
mounted to the exterior surface of the sports helmet and oriented
substantially parallel to the first arm with the bridge connecting
therebetween such that the goggle strap is engaged in the goggle
strap retainers when the pair of goggles is moved upward from the
eyes of the wearer.
3. The sports helmet described in claim 2, wherein the first arm of
each of the goggle strap retainers is formed with an outwardly
angled ramp portion configured to enlarge the size of the entry
into which the goggle strap enters.
4. The sports helmet described in claim 1, wherein each of the
goggle strap retainers further comprises a flange oriented
substantially parallel to the first arm with the bridge connecting
therebetween, the flange being formed with a hole for affixing the
goggle strap retainers to an outer surface of the sports
helmet.
5. The sports helmet described in claim 4, wherein the first arm of
each of the goggle strap retainers is formed with an outwardly
angled ramp portion configured to enlarge the size of the entry
into which the goggle strap enters.
6. The sports helmet described in claim 2, further comprising a
spring anchor extending in perpendicular relation from the inner
arm and whereas the sports helmet is formed with a hole in each
side thereof configured for receiving the spring anchor, the holes
and the spring anchors not being round in cross sectional
shape.
7. A sports helmet having a pair of goggle strap retainers
configured with an elongate first arm and a second arm residing in
substantially parallel relation to each other, the second arm
affixed to an exterior surface of the sports helmet, the first and
second arms connected to each other with a bridge at upper ends
thereof and spaced from each other at lower ends thereof to retain
an open entry between the lower ends, one of the goggle strap
retainers being affixed to each side of the sports helmet and
oriented with the entry below the bridge and incrementally higher
than a goggle strap when a pair of goggles resides over the eyes of
the wearer to engage the goggle strap in the goggle strap retainers
when the pair of goggles is moved upward from the eyes of the
wearer.
8. The sports helmet described in claim 7, wherein the first arm of
each of the goggle strap retainers is formed with an outwardly
angled ramp portion configured to enlarge the size of the entry
into which the goggle strap enters.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of protective
sports apparel and more particularly to helmets typically used with
goggles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A helmet protects the head of the wearer from serious head
injury. In sports, the use of helmets has expanded from motorcycle
riders to bicycle riders to roller bladers to skiers and snow
boarders. When skiing or snow boarding, goggles provide an
additional form of protection, both from eye injury and from the
cold air. Ski goggles are normally held in place with an elastic
strap that goes around the back of the wearer's head on the outside
of the helmet. The strap easily slides along the smooth helmet
surface, and the goggles may slip off and be lost when raised from
their protective position over the eyes of the wearer to an idle
position on top of the helmet. To prevent loss of goggles, some
helmets have an attaching strap anchor, such as a snap fastener or
the like, at the rear to attach the goggle strap to the helmet.
With the anchor holding the back of the strap, goggles placed in
this idle position may slide up and over the top of the helmet, but
are not lost. However, the user must reach behind the helmet and
re-set the goggles when needed for skiing or snow boarding.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,989 teaches a Safety Goggles Retainer
For Hard Hat. This patent provides a hook mounted on each side of a
hard hat or helmet above the position of the wearer's ear. The
wearer loops the goggle strap through the first hook, across the
front of the helmet and through the second hook. The elasticity of
the goggle strap allows the wearer to move the goggles from a
position over the eyes to a position on the helmet front. This hook
system lacks the simplicity of goggle movement provided by the
present invention disclosed below.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,530 teaches a Goggle Strap Alignment And
Fastening Guide For Motorcycle Type Helmet in which a pair of strap
guides are affixed to either side of a helmet adjacent the ear of
the wearer. The goggle strap is passed through the guides when the
goggles are in position over the eyes of the wearer, thus assuring
proper alignment. These guides prevent the goggle strap from moving
up or down. Raising the goggles above the wearer's eyes requires
stretching the goggle strap without disengaging the strap guides.
This patented invention is intended to hold the goggles in
operative position and substantially increases the difficulty of
moving the goggles to their inoperative position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a sports helmet with a pair
of goggle strap retainers allowing the goggles to be easily moved
between an operative position over the eyes of the wearer to an
inoperative position on the helmet above the wearer's eyes while
preventing the goggles from sliding backward over the top of the
helmet. A strap retainer is affixed to each side of the helmet in
an orientation with the top closed and the bottom open to receive a
goggle strap. The retainers are preferably affixed adjacent to the
ear of the wearer at a height on the helmet slightly above the top
of the goggle strap when the goggles are positioned over the
wearer's eyes. When the wearer moves the goggles upward to an
inoperative position on the helmet above the eyes, the goggle strap
is trapped in the retainers to assure that the goggles will not
slide over the top of the helmet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The present invention is best understood in conjunction with
the accompanying drawing figures in which like elements are
identified by similar reference numerals and wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the sports helmet with
goggle strap retainers of the invention showing the goggles in
operative position to protect the eyes of the wearer.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the sports helmet with
goggle strap retainers showing the goggles in the inoperative
position above the front rim of the helmet.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a segmental front elevation view of the sports
helmet with goggle strap retainers showing the goggle strap when
the goggles are in the operative position of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a segmental front elevation view of the sports
helmet with goggle strap retainer showing the goggle strap engaged
when the goggles are in the inoperative position of FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 5A is a side perspective view of a goggle strap
retainer of the invention in a first embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 5B is a front elevation view of the goggle strap
retainer of FIG. 5A.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a goggle strap retainer
according to a second embodiment with a fastener for affixing to
the sports helmet.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a goggle strap retainer
according to a third embodiment with a segment of the sports helmet
showing a hole for receiving a spring anchor of the retainer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] Referring now to FIG. 1, a sports helmet 10 such as would be
used for protecting the head of a player of sports, e.g. skiing, is
illustrated according to the present invention with a strap
retainer 14 affixed to an outer side surface thereof. A similar
strap retainer 14 is affixed to the opposite side of helmet 10. A
pair of goggles 20, as are commonly used in conjunction with helmet
10, are held in place over the eyes of the player by an elastic
strap 22. Goggles 20 protect the eyes of the wearer from cold air,
precipitation and objects in the air. Many currently available
helmets are manufactured with a strap anchor 18 that holds the rear
portion of goggle strap 22 to helmet 10. While strap anchor 22
prevents goggles 20 from being lost when moved up over the top of
helmet 10 away from the wearer's eyes, strap anchor 22 nonetheless
allows goggles 20 to move to a position behind helmet 10 that is
inconvenient to the wearer. Strap retainers 14 are positioned on
both sides of helmet 10 incrementally higher than a line defined by
the upper edge of strap 22. In this position, strap retainers 14 do
not interfere with the normal use of goggles 20, and goggle strap
22 naturally resides in contact with the side of helmet 10 slightly
below the bottom of strap retainers 14.
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 2, sports helmet 10 is shown in side
elevation view with goggles 20 moved to a position above the front
rim of helmet 10 to be off the eyes of the wearer. This upward
movement of goggles 20 is frequently done by skiers and other
sports participants to improve vision. Whereas helmet 10 is formed
of a smooth plastic resin, when worn with prior known helmets,
goggles 20 would tend to slide up and over the top and reside in an
inconvenient position behind the helmet. According to the present
invention, as goggles 20 are raised, goggle strap 22 is entrapped
on each side of helmet 10 by a strap retainer 14. Goggles 20 will
remain in the position placed by the wearer, thus eliminating the
inconvenience of sliding up and over the top of helmet 10.
[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a partial front elevation
view is shown of sports helmet 10 with strap retainer 14 affixed
thereto. In FIG. 3, goggle strap 22 is in a level orientation as
that illustrated in FIG. 1 with goggles 20 over the eyes of the
wearer. Strap retainer 14, located incrementally above strap 22, is
empty. In FIG. 4, goggle strap 22 is in an upwardly angled
orientation as that illustrated in FIG. 2 with goggles 20 placed
above the front rim of helmet 10. Goggle strap 22, being typically
elastic, clings to the curve of helmet 10 as goggles 20 are raised,
causing goggle strap 22 to enter and be held by strap retainer 14.
To further encourage goggle strap 22 to enter strap retainer 14,
the outer arm of strap retainer 14 is formed with a ramp 32 that
increases the gap at the entry portion of strap retainer 14.
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the preferred embodiment
of a strap retainer 14 is shown in front perspective view and in
side elevation view, respectively. As seen, strap retainer 14
includes an outer arm 30, an inner arm 34 residing substantially
parallel to outer arm 30, and a bridge 36 extending perpendicularly
therebetween. Ramp 32 is formed by the distal tip of outer arm 30
being angled away from inner arm 34, thus providing an enlarged
entry 40 to receive goggle strap 22 (see FIGS. 1-4). A securement
layer 38 is provided on the exposed surface of inner arm 34,
preferably in the form of a pressure sensitive adhesive, especially
when strap retainer 14 is affixed to a helmet by the user.
Alternatively, strap retainers 14 may be affixed to the helmet by
ultrasonic bonding. In addition, strap retainers 14 may be
integrally molded with the helmet.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 6, a first alternate form of a strap
retainer 14a is illustrated in side elevation view. Strap retainer
14a is configured for affixing to a helmet by means of a fastener
46, e.g. a rivet. Strap retainer 14a is formed with a downwardly
directed outer arm 30a, terminating in a ramp 32a. A bridge 36a is
connected in perpendicular orientation to the upper end of outer
arm 32a, and a flange 44 extends upwardly from the opposite end of
bridge 36a substantially parallel to outer arm 30a. Flange 44 is
formed with a hole sized to snugly pass rivet 46 which engages the
helmet to hold strap retainer 14a firmly thereto.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 7, a second alternate form of a strap
retainer 14b is shown in side elevation view adjacent to a portion
of the wall of helmet 10. Strap retainer 14b has an outer arm 30b
with a ramp 32b, an inner arm 34b parallel to and in the same
direction as outer arm 30b and a connecting bridge 36b. A spring
anchor 50 is integrally formed in perpendicular orientation on
inner arm 34b. Spring anchor 50 is sized and shaped to snugly enter
a hole 52 formed in helmet 10. Spring anchor 50 and hole 52 are
preferably not round in order to prevent rotation of strap retainer
14b.
[0021] While the description above discloses preferred embodiments
of the present invention, it is contemplated that numerous
variations and modifications of the invention are possible and are
considered to be within the scope of the claims that follow.
* * * * *