U.S. patent application number 12/110787 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-29 for chinstrap assembly.
Invention is credited to Vincent R. Ferrara.
Application Number | 20090265841 12/110787 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40873441 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090265841 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ferrara; Vincent R. |
October 29, 2009 |
CHINSTRAP ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A chinstrap assembly for a helmet having opposite sides and a
face opening includes a chin protector and first and second straps
extending from the opposite sides of the helmet to opposite ends of
the chin protector. A cinching device at each end of the chin
protector receives an outgoing segment of the corresponding strap,
grips the strap and redirects an incoming segment thereof so that
by applying a lateral/rearward tensile force to that incoming
segment, the length of the outgoing segment may be set to a
selected value which is maintained when the tensile force is
relieved.
Inventors: |
Ferrara; Vincent R.;
(Wellesley, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CESARI AND MCKENNA, LLP
88 BLACK FALCON AVENUE
BOSTON
MA
02210
US
|
Family ID: |
40873441 |
Appl. No.: |
12/110787 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/421 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/421 |
International
Class: |
A42B 7/00 20060101
A42B007/00 |
Claims
1. A chinstrap assembly for a helmet having opposite sides and a
face opening between said sides, said assembly comprising first and
second straps having corresponding first ends connected to opposite
sides of the helmet and corresponding second ends; a chin protector
having first and second ends, and a first cinching device at said
first end of the chin protector which simultaneously receives and
redirects the first strap so that an outgoing segment thereof
extends between the first side of the helmet and the first cinching
device and an incoming segment thereof extends between the first
cinching device and said second end of the first strap while
gripping the first strap so that when a sufficient tensile force is
applied to said incoming segment, the length of said outgoing
segment may be set to a selected value which is maintained when the
tensile force is relieved.
2. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the cinching device
comprises a fairlead at the first end of the chin protector which
is slidably engaged by the first strap, and means exerting drag on
the first strap.
3. The assembly defined in claim 2 wherein the amount of drag
exerted on the first strap by the cinching device varies inversely
to the included angle between said incoming and outgoing strap
segments.
4. The assembly defined in claim 3 and further including fastening
means for releasably fastening said second end of the first strap
to the first side of the helmet.
5. The assembly defined in claim 2 wherein the fairlead includes a
curved bearing surface about which the first strap is wrapped and
the amount of drag exerted on the first strap varies directly with
the degree of wrap.
6. The assembly defined in claim 5 and further including fastening
means for releasably fastening said free end of the first strap to
the first side of the helmet so that the first strap remains
wrapped around the bearing surface to a maximum degree.
7. The assembly defined in claim 5 wherein the bearing surface is a
generally cylindrical post bridging a notch at said first end of
the chin protector so as to define a gap between said post and a
floor of the notch, and the first strap extends through said gap
and around said post so that the respective outgoing and incoming
strap segments arrive, and depart from, the post substantially
tangentially.
8. The assembly defined in claim 7 wherein the cinching device
further includes a biasing device which biases said incoming strap
segment into a substantially parallel relationship with the
outgoing strap segment as the respective strap segments approach
and depart from the post.
9. The assembly defined in claim 8 wherein the chin protector also
includes a liner, and the biasing device comprises a resilient
extension of said liner which bridges said notch and resiliently
engages said incoming strap segment when said incoming strap
segment is pulled in a direction away from the outgoing strap
segment.
10. The assembly defined in any one of claims 1 to 9 and further
including a second cinching device at the second end of the chin
protector which receives, grips and redirects the second strap in
the same manner as the first cinching device receives, grips and
redirects the first strap.
11. The assembly defined in claim 10 and further including third
and fourth straps having corresponding first ends connected to said
opposite first and second ends of the chin protector at locations
thereto spaced appreciably below said first and second cinching
devices and corresponding second ends, and adjustable fastening
devices on the second ends of the third and fourth straps for
releasably fastening those ends to said opposite sides of the
helmet.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to protective headgear. It relates
more specifically to a chinstrap assembly for use therewith.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] Protective headgear such as a helmet is used widely in games
and other physical activities to help protect the wearer from head
injury which can result from impact forces due to contact with
other people or with objects.
[0005] Nearly all helmets include some sort of device for securing
the helmet to the wearer's head. Most commonly, these devices
involve a chinstrap assembly designed to retain the helmet on the
user's head and to protect the user's chin from the force of an
impact. Typically such chinstrap assemblies include a chin
protector and adjustable straps or strap segments which connect
opposite ends of the chin protector to the helmet at opposite sides
of the helmet's face opening. The lengths of the chinstraps may be
adjusted to draw down and seat the helmet on the user's head and to
place the chin protector against the chin. In other words, the
strap assembly can adjust the distance between the chin protector
and the helmet.
[0006] Helmets equipped with conventional chinstrap assemblies are
disadvantaged in that the distance between the chin protector and
the helmet is set solely at the buckles which releasably fasten the
straps to the helmet. Therefore, the helmet cannot be fitted
ergonomically to the head using those straps.
[0007] Another disadvantage is that the usual chinstrap assembly is
not particularly comfortable to wear for a prolonged period. In
addition, it may not sufficiently resist upward forces applied to
the helmet via its facemask, with the result that, in use, the
helmet can become disengaged from the wearer's head.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an improved helmet chinstrap assembly which is easy to
use.
[0009] A further object is to provide such an assembly which may
fit a helmet to a user's head ergonomically by way of the
assembly's chinstraps.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide an assembly of
this type which is especially comfortable to wear for a prolonged
period.
[0011] A further object is to provide a chinstrap assembly whose
chin protector can remain at fixed locations on the chinstraps even
when the chinstraps are unfastened from the helmet.
[0012] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a
chinstrap assembly which is especially adapted to coact with outer
and inner layers of an associated helmet to provide a snug and
comfortable fit of the helmet to the wearer's head.
[0013] Still another object of the invention is to provide a helmet
chinstrap assembly which may be fastened to and unfastened from the
helmet readily while the helmet is on the wearer's head.
[0014] An additional object is to provide such an assembly which is
particularly resistant to upward forces on the helmet to which it
is attached.
[0015] Other objects will, in part, be obvious and will, in part,
appear hereinafter. The invention accordingly comprises the
features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement
of parts which will be exemplified in the following detailed
description, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in
the claims.
[0016] In general, my assembly includes a chin protector and a pair
of straps or strap segments having corresponding first ends
anchored to the opposite sides of the helmet. Outgoing segments of
the straps connect to opposite ends of the chin protector and the
straps loop back via incoming segments toward an outer layer or
shell of the helmet to which those incoming segments may be
releasably fastened by suitable fastening means.
[0017] In accordance with the invention, in connecting to the chin
protector, at least one strap extends through a cinching device,
including a redirecting runner guide, hereafter referred to as a
"fairlead", present at the corresponding end of the chin protector.
The cinching device grips the associated strap and may redirect
same back toward the helmet, enabling the end of the incoming
segment of that strap to be releasably fastened to the
corresponding side of the helmet.
[0018] When the incoming strap segment of each strap is angled back
toward the helmet, the corresponding cinching device exerts
sufficient frictional drag on the associated strap to prevent that
strap from sliding through its fairlead. On the other hand, when
the incoming segment of that strap is angled laterally away from
the outgoing segment thereof, its cinching device exerts less drag
on the strap so that a moderate pulling force on the free, second,
end of that strap is sufficient to slide that strap through the
corresponding fairlead. In other words, each cinching device is
able to get a firm hold on its associated strap, particularly when
the outgoing and incoming segments of that strap are more or less
parallel.
[0019] Thus, after donning the helmet and assuming that the chin
protector has cinching devices at both ends, the wearer may simply
pull the second ends of the two straps rearwardly and away from
each other. These actions draw the chin protector against the
wearer's chin. They also snug the helmet down around the wearer's
head. When a suitable fit of the helmet and chin protector to the
wearer's head has been achieved, the free, second ends of the two
straps may be releasably fastened to opposite sides of the helmet.
Such fastening preserves the strap redirection at each fairlead so
that there is little or no strap slippage at the fairleads,
resulting in the helmet remaining snugly fitted to the wearer's
head.
[0020] When the wearer desires to move the chin protector away from
his chin, he simply unfastens the second end of at least one of the
straps, allowing the incoming segment of that strap to swing out
laterally so that the corresponding cinching device exerts less
drag on that strap. The wearer may then move the chin protector
away from his chin. To refasten the helmet, the wearer may cinch up
the loose strap and refasten its free, second end to the helmet
shell.
[0021] To remove the helmet from his head entirely, the wearer may
unfasten one or both straps and pull the helmet away from his head,
the one or both straps sliding through the associated fairlead(s)
to enable such removal.
[0022] It is important to appreciate that the cinching devices help
keep the helmet and chin protector in place. The fasteners which
fasten the second ends of the straps to the helmet shell maintain
the directionality of the incoming segments of the straps and thus
the high drag exerted on the straps by the cinching devices.
Therefore, the fasteners are not subjected to as much stress due to
frontal impacts on the helmet as they would be in the absence of
the cinching devices. Also, when the straps are unfastened from the
helmet shell, the cinching devices inhibit the chin protector from
moving relative to the straps. Therefore, the set distance between
the chin protector and the helmet is preserved so that no
adjustments are needed after the straps are refastened to the
helmet shell.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the
invention, reference should be made to the following detailed
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a football helmet
equipped with a chinstrap assembly incorporating my invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;
[0026] FIG. 3A is a front view on a larger scale showing a part of
the chinstrap assembly in greater detail;
[0027] FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along line 3B-3B of FIG.
3A;
[0028] FIG. 3C is a fragmentary sectional view on a still larger
scale illustrating the operation of the chinstrap assembly, and
[0029] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a second
chinstrap assembly embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, shown there is a
helmet 8 having a semi-rigid outer layer 10 which may be a
relatively hard plastic shell that deforms locally and radially in
response to an impact, and an inner layer 12 which may be of a
softer, less rigid material.
[0031] The helmet 8 preferably also includes a third, middle, layer
between the outer and inner layers 10 and 12 and which comprises a
plurality of compressible cells (not shown) which extend between
the inner and outer layers, as well as a dynamic inner liner
composed of a plurality of resilient pads or capsules (not shown)
which are connected to the cells and project from the interior
surface of the inner layer 12. In the illustrated helmet, the inner
layer 12 is a flexible, molded plastic structure which includes a
rear flange 12a which extends up around the outside of shell 10 and
is secured thereto by fasteners 19. A comparable flange 12b at the
front of layer 12 is similarly fastened to the shell 10 above face
opening 8a. A helmet such as this is described in more detail in my
co-pending application Ser. No. 12/104,522, filed Apr. 17, 2008,
entitled Headgear Securement System, the entire contents of which
are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
[0032] Helmet 8 is fitted with a chinstrap assembly indicated
generally at 20 which includes a chin protector 22. While the chin
protector may be connected to the helmet by way of straps extending
to opposite sides of the helmet outer layer 10 as is done
conventionally, more desirably, the strap assembly 20 connects to
the opposite ends 26a, 26b of a belt 26 extending around inner
layer 12 inside helmet layer 10 so that the assembly 20 is
especially adapted to snug the layer 12 around the wearer's head as
described in the above application.
[0033] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, chinstrap assembly 20
includes a pair of similar straps or strap segments 38a and 38b
having their respective first ends fitted with terminations 39a and
39b that encircle the belt ends 26a and 26b, respectively. In a
conventional helmet, these terminations could be anchored to the
inside or outside of the helmet shell 10. But in either event, the
straps extend toward and support the opposite ends of chin
protector 22. Thus, as best seen in FIG. 2, strap 38a has an
outgoing segment that extends from belt end 26a to a cinching
device shown generally at 22a at one end of chin protector 22. At
that cinching device, the strap passes through a fairlead 23a and
doubles back via an incoming segment toward the helmet. The free
end of that incoming segment carries an adjustable buckle 42 which
includes a snap fastener 42a that may be snapped onto a mating snap
fastener 44 at the corresponding side of helmet outer layer 10. Of
course, other fastening means such as hooks, Velcro.RTM. strips,
etc. may be employed to releasably fasten the incoming strap
segments to selected locations on the helmet.
[0034] The strap 38b likewise extends from the belt end 26b to a
cinching device 22b at the other end of chin protector 22 where it
passes through a fairlead 23b and loops back via an incoming
segment toward the helmet. The free end of that incoming segment
may be releasably fastened in a similar way to the other side of
the helmet 8 such as by the illustrated buckle 46 whose fastener
46a may be releasably secured to a mating fastener 48.
[0035] If belt 26 is a single strap-like member as described in the
above application, the straps 38a, 38b of assembly 20 may
constitute integral extensions of that belt. In other words, in
that event, the belt 26 may extend to the chin protector 20 and be
slidably received in the fairleads 23a, 23b before looping back to
opposite sides of the helmet. In any event, it is a feature of the
invention that the spacing of the chin protector 22 from the helmet
face opening 8a is determined to a large extent at the cinching
devices 22a and 22b as will be described presently.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the chin protector 22 includes
a cupped outer shell 52, preferably of a rigid, lightweight plastic
material. The fairleads 23a and 23b are formed at the opposite ends
of that shell. Each fairlead comprises a generally rectangular
notch 54 extending in from the corresponding end of shell 52 and a
post 56 which spans the notch, that post being spaced from an
inboard wall 54a of the notch creating a gap G between the two that
is slightly wider than the thickness of straps 38a, 38b.
[0037] Chin protector 22 also includes an inner liner 58 of a very
soft, compliant rubber or plastic material. Liner 58 conforms more
or less to shell 52 and has a raised resilient edge margin 58a
which engages over the edge of shell 52 as shown in FIG. 3A to
releasably secure the liner to the shell. Preferably, the inner
surface of the liner is completely or partially covered by a fabric
sheet 59 with hydrophobic properties so that the chin protector 22
feels comfortable to the wearer. Sheet 59 may be co-extruded with
the liner or constitute part of a sleeve which can be slipped onto
the chin protector from one end.
[0038] In accordance with the invention, the fairleads 23a, 23b
control the sliding motions of the straps 38a and 38b relative to
the ends of the chin protector 22. More particularly, as shown in
FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, the strap 38b extends from its termination 39b
to fairlead 23b of cinching device 22b where it is threaded through
the gap G between the bottom wall 54a of notch 54 and post 56. From
there, the strap may wrap around that post to a degree.
[0039] The normal drag exerted by cinching device 22b at fairlead
23b due to the dimensions of gap G and the coefficients of friction
of the post 56 and the strap surfaces is usually sufficient to keep
the strap from sliding through the fairlead 23b. Thus the fairlead
contributes to the cinching device 22b being able to get a firm
hold on the strap. However, this hold on the strap may be overcome
by the helmet wearer pulling outwardly/rearwardly on the incoming
segment of strap 38b as indicated by the arrow F in FIG. 3C so that
the corresponding end of the chin protector 22 may be drawn closer
to the helmet. Once the length of the outgoing strap segment has
been set to the desired value, the cinching device maintains that
value when the tensile force is relieved, even if the free end of
the strap is loose.
[0040] However, in a game, the buckle 46 of strap 38b is usually
fastened to the helmet. Therefore, the segments of strap 38b
leading to and from the chin protector 22 approach and depart from
post 56 tangentially and both extend back toward the helmet and are
more or less parallel as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Thus, strap 38b
wraps around post 56 up to a maximum angle of 180.degree. so that
the cinching device 22b exerts even more drag on that strap.
Resultantly, the strap does not tend to slip relative to fairlead
23b. Rather, the strap 38b will remain in a set position in its
fairlead 23b until buckle 46 is released from the helmet.
[0041] The strap 38a is threaded through its fairlead 23a in
exactly the same way and the two coact to form the cinching device
22a that maintains strap 38a in a set position in fairlead 23a
unless the end of that strap is released from the helmet.
[0042] In some helmets, liner 58 may be formed at its opposite ends
with a pair of mirror image extensions shown generally at 60 and
62. When present, these extensions may contribute to the aforesaid
cinching devices 22a and 22b. Each extension 60, 62 includes a
generally rectangular bridge 60a supported at its opposite ends by
a pair of elastic legs 60b, 60b which extend laterally from the
corresponding end of liner 58. As best seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B,
each bridge 60a is angled outwardly, i.e. laterally, and spans the
mouth of the associated notch 54. The length of its legs 60b, 60b
is such as to position the bridge away from the corresponding post
56, leaving a space between the bridge and the post to receive the
corresponding strap.
[0043] The extensions 60, 62 cooperate with the fairleads 23a, 23b
respectively, to control the amount of drag exerted on the straps
by the cinching devices. More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 3A
and 3B, after the strap 38b wraps around post 56, it may be passed
through the space between that post and the adjacent bridge 60a of
extension 62 so that the strap tends to be redirected back toward
the helmet, ensuring a maximum degree of wrap around the post and
thus a maximum drag exerted on the strap by the cinching device
23b.
[0044] When the incoming segment of strap 38b is pulled in the
direction of arrow F as described above, the resilient or elastic
legs 60b, 60b of extension 62 are stretched by the engagement of
the strap against the underside of bridge 60a as shown in FIG. 3C.
Then, when the strap is released, the legs reassume their
unstretched condition, causing bridge 60a to return the outboard
segment of strap 38b to its position shown in FIG. 3B so that the
strap again has a maximum degree of wrap around post 56.
[0045] The extension 60 cooperates with fairlead 22a in the same
way to help control the drag on strap 38a.
[0046] When the helmet 8 is on a wearer's head, the buckles 42 and
46 may be unfastened from the helmet so that the chin protector 22
is suspended on straps 38a and 38b adjacent to the helmet face
opening 8a. The resilient extensions 60 and 62 of the chin
protector maintain substantial wraps of the straps around the posts
56 at fairleads 23a and 23b and thus assure that the chin protector
does not tend to slide along the straps.
[0047] Whether or not the extensions 60, 62 are present, once the
helmet 8 is on the wearer's head, the helmet may be snugged around
the head and the chin protector 22 drawn against the wearer's chin
by his pulling outwardly/rearwardly on the free, incoming segments
of the two straps 38a and 38b. Those actions will tension the belt
26, which will, in turn, snug the helmet inner layer 12 and liner
around the wearer's head and position the chin protector 22 against
the wearer's chin. Even if the wearer should release the free ends
of the straps 38a and 38b, the cinching devices 22a and 22b with or
without extensions 60, 62 will prevent the straps from sliding and
thus maintain the set distance between the helmet and the chin
protector. The wearer may then take the necessary time to fasten
the strap buckles 42 and 46 to the opposite sides of the helmet. In
other words, the position of the chin protector 22 relative to
helmet 8 is set to a large extent by the cinching devices 22a, 22b
in the chin protector 22
[0048] It will be appreciated that those buckles permit gross
adjustments of the buckles along their respective straps to
initially set a selected distance between the buckles and the
fairleads 23a and 23b when the wearer first uses the helmet. Once
those adjustments have been made, the buckles may be unfastened
from and refastened to the helmet shell without any further
adjustments of the buckles along their respective straps.
[0049] Note that when the shell of helmet 8 is subjected to frontal
impacts during a game, the energy of each impact will be
transferred by the straps 38a, 38b of the chinstrap assembly via
the belt 26 to the flexible, resilient components inside the shell.
Those structures will thereupon absorb that energy thereby
protecting the wearer's head, all as described in my above
application.
[0050] If the wearer of the helmet 8 should desire to loosen the
chinstrap assembly, he need only unfasten one of the buckles 42, 46
and move the corresponding end of the chin protector 22 away from
his chin. This will allow the free, incoming segment of that strap
to move outward sufficiently to permit the strap to slide through
the corresponding fairlead 23a or 23b under that pulling force. The
chin protector can be returned to the wearer's chin by pulling on
that strap and refastening its buckle. Likewise, the helmet 8 may
be removed entirely from the wearer's head after unfastening one or
both of the buckles 42, 46.
[0051] Thus, while the helmet is on the user's head, by pulling
outwardly/rearwardly on one or both of the incoming segments of
straps 38a, 38b, the chin protector may be drawn against the user's
chin. Simultaneously, my assembly 20 tensions belt 26 to draw the
inner layer 12 away from outer layer 10 and toward sides and rear
of the wearer's head.
[0052] Since the wearer needs only to unfasten one buckle in order
to don or doff the helmet, it is not absolutely necessary to
provide a cinching device at each end of the chin protector 22. In
other words, one of the straps, e.g. strap 38a, may be permanently
or non-moveably secured to the corresponding end of the chin
protector. When donning the helmet for the first time, the length
of that strap may be adjusted at its buckle 42. Thereafter, a
cinching 22b operating on the other strap 38b may suffice to snug
the helmet and chin protector to the wearer's head.
[0053] Refer now to FIG. 4 which illustrates a chinstrap assembly
70 which is especially adapted to resist or respond to upward
forces on the helmet 8 equipped with a facemask M as shown in
phantom in that figure.
[0054] Assembly 50 includes a chin protector 72, which may be
similar to protector 22, connected at its opposite ends to helmet 8
by straps 38a, 38b in the same manner described above. Assembly 70
differs from assembly 20 in that it provides a four point
connection to helmet 8. That is, it includes a second pair of
straps or cables 74, 74 extending between the opposite ends of chin
protector 72 and the corresponding sides of helmet 8.
[0055] However, instead of connecting the straps 74, 74 to the chin
protector ends at more or less the same locations where the primary
straps 38a, 38b connect to the chin protector as is done
conventionally, the distal ends of straps or cables 74, 74 join the
chin protector shell 72 at pivot connections 76, 76 located
appreciably below the cinching devices 22a, 22b. The straps on
cables 74, 74 extend upwardly/rearwardly and carry adjustable
buckles 78, 78 which may be releasably fastened to snap fastener
elements 80, 80 at opposite sides of the helmet shell 10 or to
other selected locations on the helmet by other known fastening
means. By tensioning the straps or cables 74, 74 via their buckles,
the chin protector 70 may be tilted or cocked to the position shown
in phantom in FIG. 4 so that it engages more firmly under the
wearer's chin. Therefore, if an opposing player should push up on
facemask M, the chin protector is pivoted such that the lower edge
rotates under the wearer's chin, making the chin protector less apt
to disengage from the wearer's chin.
[0056] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above among
those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently
attained. Also, since certain changes may be made in the above
construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it
is intended that all matter contained in the above description or
shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
[0057] It should also be understood that the following claims are
intended to cover all of the general and specific features
described above.
* * * * *