U.S. patent application number 12/333796 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-25 for liner for a protective helmet.
This patent application is currently assigned to HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY GROUP, INC.. Invention is credited to Matthew T. Thompson, Kennon Yong Yi.
Application Number | 20090158506 12/333796 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40758628 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090158506 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thompson; Matthew T. ; et
al. |
June 25, 2009 |
LINER FOR A PROTECTIVE HELMET
Abstract
A helmet includes an outer shell, an energy-absorbing layer
disposed inside the outer shell, and a liner disposed inside of the
energy-absorbing layer. The liner includes a central portion
configured to extend along a longitudinal axis that runs between a
front portion of the helmet and a rear portion of the helmet, a
first side portion releasably coupled to the central portion, and a
second side portion releasably coupled to the central portion.
Inventors: |
Thompson; Matthew T.; (New
Berlin, WI) ; Yi; Kennon Yong; (Glendale,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH LLP
100 E WISCONSIN AVENUE, Suite 3300
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202
US
|
Assignee: |
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY
GROUP, INC.
Milwaukee
WI
|
Family ID: |
40758628 |
Appl. No.: |
12/333796 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61008976 |
Dec 21, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/411 ; 2/417;
2/422 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/10 20130101; A42B
3/127 20130101; A42B 3/324 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/411 ; 2/417;
2/422 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/00 20060101
A42B003/00; A42B 1/22 20060101 A42B001/22; A42B 1/24 20060101
A42B001/24 |
Claims
1. A helmet comprising: an outer shell; an energy-absorbing layer
disposed inside the outer shell; and a liner disposed inside of the
energy-absorbing layer, the liner including a central portion
configured to extend along a longitudinal axis that runs between a
front portion of the helmet and a rear portion of the helmet, a
first side portion releasably coupled to the central portion, and a
second side portion releasably coupled to the central portion.
2. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
fasteners on the energy-absorbing layer, the liner having a
plurality of fasteners corresponding to the plurality of fasteners
on the energy-absorbing layer for releasably attaching the liner to
the energy-absorbing layer.
3. The helmet of claim 2, wherein the plurality of fasteners of the
liner includes a pair of front fasteners adjacent a front end of
the central portion of the liner, the pair of front fasteners
configured to attach to a pair of complementary fasteners on the
energy-absorbing layer, wherein the first and second side portions
are releasably coupled to the central portion at the pair of front
fasteners.
4. The helmet of claim 2, wherein the liner includes an alternate
central portion having a plurality of fasteners corresponding to
the plurality of fasteners on the energy-absorbing layer for
releasably attaching the alternate central portion to the
energy-absorbing layer in place of the original central portion,
the alternate central portion having at least one of a different
size and a different shape compared to the original central portion
to customize the liner and the fit of the helmet on the head of a
wearer, the first and second side portions being configured to
releasably attach to the alternate central portion.
5. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the first side portion and the
second side portion are pivotally coupled to the central
portion.
6. The helmet of claim 1, wherein each of the first side portion
and the second side portion includes a pocket, the helmet further
comprising a pair of inserts, each insert of the pair of inserts
insertable into a respective pocket of the first and second side
portions to increase the thickness of the side portions to
customize the size of the liner and the fit of the helmet on the
head of a wearer.
7. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising a third side portion
and a fourth side portion, the third and fourth side portions being
interchangeable with the first and second side portions and having
at least one of a different size and shape to customize the liner
and the fit of the helmet on the head of a wearer.
8. A helmet comprising: an outer shell; an energy-absorbing layer
disposed inside the outer shell; and a liner disposed inside of the
energy-absorbing layer, the liner configured to contact the head of
a wearer when the helmet is worn by the wearer, the liner including
a central portion configured to extend along a longitudinal axis
that runs between a front portion of the helmet and a rear portion
of the helmet, a first side portion coupled to the central portion
and defining a first pocket, a second side portion coupled to the
central portion and defining a second pocket, and a pair of
inserts, each one of the pair of inserts being insertable into one
of the first and second pockets to increase the thickness of the
corresponding side portion to customize the size of the liner and
the fit of the helmet on the head of the wearer.
9. The helmet of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of
fasteners on the energy-absorbing layer, the liner having a
plurality of fasteners corresponding to the plurality of fasteners
on the energy-absorbing layer for releasably attaching the liner to
the energy-absorbing layer.
10. The helmet of claim 9, wherein the plurality of fasteners of
the liner includes a pair of front fasteners adjacent a front end
of the central portion of the liner, the pair of front fasteners
configured to attach to a pair of complementary fasteners on the
energy-absorbing layer, wherein the first and second side portions
are releasably coupled to the central portion at the pair of front
fasteners.
11. The helmet of claim 9, wherein the liner includes an alternate
central portion having a plurality of fasteners corresponding to
the plurality of fasteners on the energy-absorbing layer for
releasably attaching the alternate central portion to the
energy-absorbing layer in place of the original central portion,
the alternate central portion having at least one of a different
size and a different shape compared to the original central portion
to customize the liner and the fit of the helmet on the head of a
wearer, the first and second side portions being configured to
releasably attach to the alternate central portion.
12. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the first side portion and the
second side portion are pivotally coupled to the central
portion.
13. The helmet of claim 8, further comprising a second pair of
inserts, wherein each insert of the second pair of inserts has a
thickness greater than each insert of the first pair of inserts,
the second pair of inserts being insertable into the first and
second pockets to replace the first inserts and provide the
corresponding side portions with a thicknesses greater than that
provided by the first pair of inserts.
14. The helmet of claim 8, further comprising a third side portion
and a fourth side portion, the third and fourth side portions being
interchangeable with the first and second side portions and having
at least one of a different size and shape to customize the liner
and the fit of the helmet on the head of the wearer, each one of
the pair of inserts further being insertable into respective
pockets of the third and fourth side portions to increase the
thickness of the third and fourth side portions to further
customize the size of the liner and the fit of the helmet on the
head of the wearer.
15. A method of customizing the fit of a helmet for a particular
wearer comprising: providing an outer shell; providing an
energy-absorbing layer disposed inside the outer shell; providing a
liner releasably coupled to the energy-absorbing layer, the liner
configured to contact the head of a wearer when the helmet is worn
by the wearer, the liner including a central portion configured to
extend along a longitudinal axis that runs between a front portion
of the helmet and a rear portion of the helmet, the liner further
including first and second side portions releasably coupled to the
central portion; and adjusting the thickness of at least a portion
of the liner to adjust the fit of the helmet for the head of the
wearer.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein adjusting the thickness of at
least a portion of the liner includes detaching the first and
second side portions from the central portion, and releasably
coupling a third side portion and a fourth side portion to the
central portion, the third and fourth side portions having
thicknesses different from the first and second side portions.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein adjusting the thickness of at
least a portion of the liner includes placing inserts into
respective pockets of each of the first and second side portions to
increase the thicknesses of the first and second side portions.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the helmet is provided with
removable inserts in pockets of the first and second side portions,
the step of adjusting the thickness of at least a portion of the
liner including removing the inserts from the pockets to reduce the
thickness of the first and second side portions.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein adjusting the thickness of at
least a portion of the liner includes detaching the central portion
from the energy-absorbing layer, and releasably coupling an
alternate central portion to the energy-absorbing layer, the
alternate central portion having a thicknesses different from the
original central portion.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein adjusting the thickness of at
least a portion of the liner further includes adjusting the
thickness of the first and second side portions.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/008,976, filed Dec. 21, 2007, the entire
contents of which are incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to protective helmets, such as
motorcycle helmets. More particularly, the invention relates to a
protective helmet with a customizable fit. Although most protective
helmets are currently available in a range of standardized sizes to
roughly match the size of a wearer's head, the precise fit of a
conventional helmet is generally not adjustable for matching the
particular shape of a wearer's head. Furthermore, conventional
helmets are not able to be precisely sized for persons with head
sizes in between two standardized sizes.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one embodiment, the invention provides a helmet including
an outer shell, an energy-absorbing layer disposed inside the outer
shell, and a liner disposed inside of the energy-absorbing layer.
The liner includes a central portion configured to extend along a
longitudinal axis that runs between a front portion of the helmet
and a rear portion of the helmet, a first side portion releasably
coupled to the central portion, and a second side portion
releasably coupled to the central portion.
[0004] In another embodiment, the invention provides a helmet
including an outer shell, an energy-absorbing layer disposed inside
the outer shell, and a liner disposed inside of the
energy-absorbing layer and configured to contact the head of a
wearer when the helmet is worn by the wearer. The liner includes a
central portion configured to extend along a longitudinal axis that
runs between a front portion of the helmet and a rear portion of
the helmet, a first side portion coupled to the central portion and
defining a first pocket, a second side portion coupled to the
central portion and defining a second pocket, and a pair of
inserts. Each one of the inserts are insertable into one of the
first and second pockets to increase the thickness of the
corresponding side portion to customize the size of the liner and
the fit of the helmet on the head of the wearer.
[0005] In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method
of customizing the fit of a helmet for a wearer. An outer shell is
provided with an energy-absorbing layer disposed inside the outer
shell. A liner is provided releasably coupled to the
energy-absorbing layer. The liner is configured to contact the head
of the wearer when the helmet is worn by the wearer. The liner
includes a central portion configured to extend along a
longitudinal axis that runs between a front portion of the helmet
and a rear portion of the helmet. The liner further includes first
and second side portions releasably coupled to the central portion.
The thickness of at least a portion of the liner is adjusted to
adjust the fit of the helmet for the head of the wearer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a protective helmet having a
liner embodying the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the protective helmet of FIG. 1
with the liner removed.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the liner removed from the
protective helmet of FIG. 1, showing two side flaps in a first
orientation with respect to a central portion of the liner.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the liner of FIG. 3, showing one
of the side flaps rotated to a second orientation with respect to
the central portion of the liner.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a top view of the liner of FIG. 3, showing one of
the side flaps detached from the central portion of the liner.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the detached side flap of
FIG. 5, illustrating a pocket formed therein.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fit-customizing pad
insertable into one of the pockets of the side flaps of the
liner.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the
fit-customizing pad of FIG. 7 partially inserted into the pocket of
a side flap of the liner.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the
fit-customizing pad of FIG. 7 fully inserted into the pocket of the
side flap of the liner.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a liner according to another
construction for use with the protective helmet of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a top view of the liner of FIG. 7, illustrating
fit-customizing pads insertable into side flaps of the liner.
[0017] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to
encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as
well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise,
the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled" and
variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and
indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further,
"connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or
mechanical connections or couplings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a protective helmet 20. In the
illustrated construction, the helmet 20 is a motorcycle helmet,
particularly a half-shell or "beanie" type motorcycle helmet.
However, features of the helmet 20 and portions thereof as
described below may be applied to various styles of helmets used
for various activities. The helmet 20 includes an outer shell 24,
which is generally a rigid, synthetic material. An energy-absorbing
layer 28 (FIG. 2) is positioned inside the outer shell 24. The
energy-absorbing layer 28 may be constructed of polystyrene foam,
for example, and may be partially covered by a skin 30 for enhanced
appearance and/or comfort. A comfort liner 32 (FIGS. 1 and 3-5) is
positioned inside the energy-absorbing layer 28. The liner 32 is
adjacent a head of a wearer of the helmet 20 and provides comfort
and appropriate fit for the wearer. A retention system 36 provides
means for securing the helmet 20 to the wearer's head. The helmet
20 further includes a visor 38 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0019] As described in further detail below, the liner 32 is
removable, reconfigurable, and exchangeable, providing a custom fit
for a variety of different wearers having different head sizes
and/or shapes. Referring to FIG. 3, the liner 32 includes a central
portion 40 extending along a longitudinal direction of the helmet
20 (from front to rear). The central portion 40 generally extends
to cover the top of the wearer's head from the forehead to the rear
of the skull, but generally does not cover the sides of the
wearer's head. Rather, a pair of flaps or side portions 44 are
coupled to the central portion 40 and positioned to lie against the
sides of the wearer's head. The side portions 44 are releasably
coupled to the central portion 40 adjacent a front end 40A of the
central portion 40, which is also the front end of the liner 32
(FIGS. 3-5).
[0020] A rear end 40B of the central portion 40, which is also the
rear end of the liner 32, defines a longitudinal channel 46 for
receiving a gathering of the wearer's hair in a pony tail, braid,
etc. The channel 46 is configured to extend along the back of the
wearer's neck to receive the gathering of hair, if present, in
order to prevent a pressure point or general discomfort to the
wearer due to the pinching of the hair within the helmet 20.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates both of the side portions 44 in a first
orientation with respect to the central portion 40. In the first
orientation, the side portions 44 extend generally along the
central portion 40. It should be noted that FIG. 3 illustrates the
liner 32 in a flattened state, and when positioned within the
helmet 20, the liner 32 assumes an arched shape such that the side
portions 44 complement the sides of the central portion 40. As
shown in FIGS. 4-6, each of the side portions 44 has a curved edge
48 configured to lie adjacent the respective sides of the central
portion 40 when the liner 32 is positioned within the helmet
20.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the helmet 20 includes a pair of front
fasteners 52, a pair of rear fasteners 54, and a pair of
intermediate fasteners 56 for coupling the liner 32 to the
energy-absorbing layer 28 and/or the skin 30. With further
reference to FIG. 5, the liner 32 includes front, rear, and
intermediate fasteners 62, 64, 66 corresponding to the respective
front, rear, and intermediate fasteners 52, 54, 56 on the
energy-absorbing layer 28. The intermediate fasteners 66 of the
liner 32 are formed on the side portions 44, while the front and
rear fasteners 62, 64 of the liner 32 are formed on the central
portion 40. As illustrated, the rear fasteners 64 of the liner 32
are formed adjacent the rear end 40B of the central portion 40.
[0023] The front fasteners 62 on the liner 32 are configured to
releasably attach the side portions 44 to the central portion 40 in
addition to releasably attaching the front portion of the liner 32
to the energy-absorbing layer 28. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, each
side portion 44 includes a flange 70 including an aperture 72. The
apertures 72 receive the front fasteners 62 on the central portion
40 of the liner 32 (e.g., by a press fit, snap fit, etc.) such that
the side portions 44 are releasably coupled to the central portion
40. The flanges 70 of the side portions 44 allow the side portions
44 to rotate relative to the central portion 40 when the liner 32
is removed from the helmet 20 (FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate one of the
side portions 44 rotated to a second orientation relative to the
central portion 40). When attached to the central portion 40, the
flanges 70 do not interfere with the coupling of the front
fasteners 62 of the liner 32 to the front fasteners 52 of the
energy-absorbing layer 28. In alternate constructions, the side
portions 44 are coupled to the central portion 40 at a separate
location on the liner 32 from the front fasteners 62, which
releasably couple the front portion of the liner 32 to the
energy-absorbing layer 28.
[0024] In the illustrated construction, the front, rear, and
intermediate fasteners 62, 64, 66 of the liner 32 are snaps. The
front, rear, and intermediate fasteners 52, 54, 56 on the
energy-absorbing layer 28 are also snaps in the illustrated
construction such that the liner 32 is releasably attachable to the
energy-absorbing layer 28 by snapping. In lieu of snaps, alternate
means (e.g., screws, buttons, detent arrangements, adhesive strips,
hook-and-loop strips, etc.) for releasably mounting the liner 32 in
the helmet 20 may be provided.
[0025] FIGS. 5, 6, 8, and 9 illustrate pockets 76, which are formed
in the side portions 44. The pockets 76 receive one or more
fit-customizing inserts or pads 80 (FIGS. 7-9). Each pad 80 has a
given thickness, but alternate pads may be provided with different
thicknesses or additional pads 80 may be provided in various
quantities in order to change the effective interior size and/or
shape of the helmet 20 by altering the thickness of the liner 32 in
the area of the side portions 44. The pockets 76 make it quickly
and easily possible to modify the helmet 20 to provide a customized
fit.
[0026] Furthermore, the fit of the helmet 20 may be customized for
a particular individual by replacing the liner 32 or portions
thereof with a similar alternative that has an alternate size,
shape, and/or thickness. For example, the side portions 44 can be
replaced by thicker or thinner side portions (not shown) that
attach to the central portion 40 at the front fasteners 62 of the
central portion 40. An alternate central portion (not shown) having
a thickness different from the original central portion 40 may also
be provided to replace the original central portion 40, providing
the helmet 20 with an alternate fit.
[0027] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate another liner 132 configured for
use as part of the helmet 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The liner 132 of
FIGS. 10 and 11 is similar in most respects to the liner 32
described above.
[0028] The liner 132 includes a central portion 140 and a pair of
side portions 144 that are releasably coupled to the central
portion 140 adjacent a front end 140A thereof. Each side portion
144 includes a flange 170 having an aperture 172 therein for
attaching to the front fasteners 162 of the liner 132. The front
fasteners 162 are additionally releasably coupled to the front
fasteners 52 on the energy-absorbing layer 28. The side portions
144 are provided with intermediate fasteners 166 that are
releasably coupled to the intermediate fasteners 56 on the
energy-absorbing layer 28. Rear fasteners 164, provided adjacent a
rear end 140B of the central portion 140, are releasably coupled to
the rear fasteners 54 on the energy-absorbing layer 28.
[0029] In the illustrated construction, and similar to the liner 32
of FIGS. 3-9, the side portions 144 of the liner 132 may be
releasably attached to the front fasteners 162 (or another
location) on the central portion 140 adjacent the front end 140A.
The flanges 170 of the side portions 144 do not interfere with the
releasable coupling of the liner 132 to the energy-absorbing layer
28 and furthermore, allow the side portions 144 to rotate relative
to the central portion 140 about the front fastener 162 (as shown
by the double-arrows 182 in FIG. 11) when the liner 132 is removed
from the helmet 20.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the side portions 144 are
generally rectangular or trapezoidal in shape and do not include
arched side edges configured to complement the sides of the central
portion 140. The size and/or shape of the side portions 144 may
provide the helmet 20 with an alternate fit, as compared to the
side portions 44 shown in FIGS. 3-6 and 8-9. Thus, the side
portions 44, 144 may be interchanged with each other on a single
liner central portion 40, 140 to reconfigure the liner 32, 132 and
customize the fit for different wearers having different head sizes
and/or shapes.
[0031] The side portions 144 are provided with respective pockets
176, which allow the helmet 20 having the liner 132 to be further
customized for fit. Each pocket 176 is configured to receive one or
more fit-customizing inserts or pads 180 of different thicknesses
or provided in different quantities in order to change the
effective interior size and/or shape of the helmet 20 by altering
the thickness of the liner 132 in the area of the side portions
144. The pockets 176 and interchangeable pads 180 make it quickly
and easily possible to modify the helmet 20 to provide a customized
fit.
[0032] The liners 32, 132 described above enable one or more
methods of customizing the helmet 20 for fitting the heads of one
or more wearers. For example, the liner 32, 132 may be removed from
the helmet 20 and customized by detaching the side portions 44, 144
from the central portion 40, 140 and releasably attaching side
portions 44, 144 having an alternate size and/or shape. For
example, there may be provided "small", "medium", and "large" side
portions 44, 144, which can be exchanged to re-configure the liner
32, 132 and adjust the size of the helmet 20. Additionally, a given
liner 32, 132 may be interchangeable between helmets 20 having
various sized outer shells 24 and energy-absorbing layers 28.
[0033] Furthermore, the liner 32, 132 (provided with side portions
44, 144 and no pads 80, 180) may be detached from the
energy-absorbing layer 28 so that the side portions 44, 144 may be
altered by inserting one or more of the pads 80, 180 into the
pockets 76, 176 therein to customize the size of the liner 32, 132
and the fit of the helmet 20 on the head of a wearer. For a given
wearer, additional pads 80, 180 may be added (or pads of increasing
thickness may be exchanged) until the liner 32, 132 is of an
appropriate size so that the helmet 20 is customized to fit the
head of the wearer (i.e., providing a snug fit without pressure
points).
[0034] Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a
customizable helmet having a removable, reconfigurable, and
exchangeable liner and removable/interchangeable components
thereof.
* * * * *