U.S. patent application number 11/930967 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-14 for adjustable protective apparel.
This patent application is currently assigned to ENVENTYS, LLC. Invention is credited to Daniel Lee BIZZELL, Kevin J. DAHLQUIST, Ian D. KOVACEVICH, Tom PHILPOTT.
Application Number | 20110167543 11/930967 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44257306 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110167543 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KOVACEVICH; Ian D. ; et
al. |
July 14, 2011 |
ADJUSTABLE PROTECTIVE APPAREL
Abstract
An article of protective apparel for placement on and protection
of a portion of the body of a user includes a protective shell and
bi-directional device that receives a first and second line that
each extend to the shell. Rotation of a control handle of the
bi-directional device causes portions of the lines to be drawn into
the device, thereby tightening the protective shell about the user.
Optionally, the article is a helmet for having an adjustable chin
strap that is capable of being tightened by manual rotation of the
control handle of the device. Optionally, the article of protective
apparel is capable of being loosened by manual positioning of the
control handle into a release position.
Inventors: |
KOVACEVICH; Ian D.;
(Charlotte, NC) ; DAHLQUIST; Kevin J.; (Charlotte,
NC) ; PHILPOTT; Tom; (Charlotte, NC) ;
BIZZELL; Daniel Lee; (Davidson, NC) |
Assignee: |
ENVENTYS, LLC
Charlotte
NC
|
Family ID: |
44257306 |
Appl. No.: |
11/930967 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11276400 |
Feb 27, 2006 |
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11930967 |
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11276357 |
Feb 24, 2006 |
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11276400 |
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11222549 |
Sep 9, 2005 |
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11276357 |
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11123900 |
May 6, 2005 |
7516914 |
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11222549 |
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11123942 |
May 6, 2005 |
7694354 |
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11222549 |
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11123900 |
May 6, 2005 |
7516914 |
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11276400 |
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11123942 |
May 6, 2005 |
7694354 |
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11123900 |
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60656335 |
Feb 25, 2005 |
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60656335 |
Feb 25, 2005 |
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60656335 |
Feb 25, 2005 |
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60608397 |
Sep 9, 2004 |
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60656335 |
Feb 25, 2005 |
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60608397 |
Sep 9, 2004 |
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60569304 |
May 7, 2004 |
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60656335 |
Feb 25, 2005 |
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60608397 |
Sep 9, 2004 |
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60569304 |
May 7, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/417 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 1/02 20130101; A41D
1/04 20130101; A42B 3/145 20130101; F16G 11/12 20130101; F41H 1/04
20130101; A41F 1/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/417 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/22 20060101
A42B001/22 |
Claims
1. A helmet for placement on and protection of the head of a user,
the helmet comprising: (a) a shell for receiving at least a portion
of the cranium of a user; (b) a first line extending from said
shell; (c) a second line extending from said shell; and (d) a
bi-directional device comprising a control handle rotatable about
an axis; (e) wherein said bi-directional device receives said first
line defining a first length of said first line between said shell
and said device; (f) wherein said bi-directional device receives
said second line defining a second length of said second line
between said shell and said device; (g) wherein said first length
is shortened when said control handle is rotated in a first
rotational direction about said axis; and (h) wherein said second
length is shortened when said control handle is rotated in a second
rotational direction about said axis; and (i) wherein said first
rotational direction is opposite said second rotational
direction.
2. The helmet of claim 1, wherein said first line, said second line
and said bi-directional device define an adjustable chin strap for
retaining said helmet on the head of the user, wherein said
chin-strap is capable of being tightened by the user by manual
rotation of said control handle.
3. The helmet of claim 2, wherein said adjustable chin strap is
capable of being loosened by the user by manual positioning of said
control handle along said axis into a release position whereby an
increase of said first length and an increase in said second length
are permitted from said tensioning device.
4. The helmet of claim 3, wherein said control handle is biased
away from said release position by an elastic force and manual
positioning of said control handle into the release position
comprises overcoming said elastic force.
5. The helmet of claim 3, wherein said manual positioning of said
control handle comprises pulling said control handle along said
axis.
6. The helmet of claim 1, (j) wherein said bi-directional device
further comprises a first spool and a second spool, (k) wherein,
when said control handle is rotated in the first rotational
direction about said axis, said first spool is rotated thereby
winding said first line about said first spool and shortening said
first length; and (l) wherein, when said control handle is rotated
in the second rotational direction about said axis, said second
spool is rotated thereby winding said second line about said second
spool and shortening said second length.
7. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising: (j) a third line
extending from said shell and received by said bi-directional
device defining a third length of said third line between said
shell and said device; (k) a fourth line extending from said shell
and received by said bi-directional device defining a fourth length
of said fourth line between said shell and said device; and (l)
wherein said third length is shortened when said control handle is
rotated in said first rotational direction about said axis; and (m)
wherein said fourth length is shortened when said control handle is
rotated in said second rotational direction opposite said first
direction about said axis. (n) wherein said first line, said second
line, said third line, said fourth line, and said bi-directional
device define an adjustable chin strap assembly for retaining said
helmet on the head of the user; and (o) wherein said adjustable
chin-strap is capable of being tightened by the user by manual
rotation of said control handle.
8. The helmet of claim 7, (p) wherein, when said helmet is placed
on the head of the user: (I) said first line extends from said
shell and passes forward of the left ear of the user; (II) said
third line extends from said shell and passes rearward of the left
ear; (III) said second line extends from said shell and passes
forward of the right ear of the user; and (IV) said fourth line
extends from said shell and passes rearward of the right ear; (q)
wherein said first line and said third line define a left chin
strap; (r) wherein said second line and said fourth line define a
right chin strap; (s) wherein the left chin strap is adjustably
connected to the right chin strap by said bi-directional device
below the chin or jaw of the user; (t) wherein the left chin strap
is tightened by rotation of said control handle in said first
rotational direction; and (u) wherein the right chin strap is
tightened by rotation of said control handle in said second
rotational direction.
9. The helmet of claim 7, wherein, when said helmet is placed on
the head of the user: (p) said first line extends from said shell
and passes forward of the left ear of the user; (q) said second
line extends from said shell and passes rearward of said left ear;
(r) said third line extends from said shell and passes forward of
the right ear of the user; and (s) said fourth line extends from
said shell and passes rearward of said right ear; (t) wherein said
first line and said third line define forward straps tightened by
rotation of said control handle in said first rotational direction;
and (u) wherein said second line and said fourth line define
rearward straps tightened by rotation of said control handle in
said second rotational direction.
10. The helmet of claim 1, wherein said bi-directional device
further comprises: (j) a spool to which the first line is attached;
(k) a first crown gear coupled to said spool for rotating said
spool; and (l) a second crown gear coupled to the spool for
preventing rotation of said spool; (m) a driving gear attached to
said control handle; (n) a locking gear capable of being engaged by
said second crown gear; (o) wherein said spool, said first crown
gear, and said second crown gear, are concentric about said axis;
(p) wherein said first crown gear is positionable within a range
along said axis relative to said spool; (q) wherein said first
crown gear is biased away from said spool and toward said driving
gear by an elastic force; (r) wherein said second crown gear is
positionable within a range along said axis relative to said spool;
(s) wherein said second crown gear is biased away from said spool
and toward said locking gear by an elastic force; (t) wherein, when
said control handle is rotated in the first rotational direction
about said axis, said driving gear is rotated in the first
rotational direction about the said axis and engages said first
crown gear thereby rotating said spool about said axis in the first
rotational direction whereby a portion of said first line is wound
about said spool and said first length is shortened; and (u)
wherein, said second crown gear engages said locking gear thereby
preventing rotation of said spool in the second rotational
direction whereby said portion of said first line wound about said
spool is prevented from being withdrawn from said bi-directional
device.
11. The helmet of claim 10, (v) wherein said bi-directional device
comprises a wave spring; and (w) wherein said first crown gear is
biased away from said spool and toward said driving gear by said
wave spring; and (x) wherein said second crown gear is biased away
from said spool and toward said locking gear by said wave
spring.
12. An adjustable helmet for placement on and protection of the
head of a user, said helmet comprising: (a) a first shell portion
for receiving at least a first portion of the cranium of a user;
(b) a second shell portion for receiving at least a second portion
of the cranium of a user; (c) a control handle rotatable about an
axis; (d) wherein said first shell portion is coupled to said
second shell portion; (e) wherein said rotatable control handle is
coupled to at least said first shell portion; and (f) wherein, when
said control handle is rotated in a first rotational direction
about said axis, said first shell portion is drawn toward said
second shell portion thereby tightening, when said helmet is placed
on the head of a user, said helmet about the head of the user.
13. The adjustable helmet of claim 12, further comprising: (g) a
bi-directional device from which extends said rotatable control
handle; (h) a first line extending from a said shell portion; and
(i) a second line extending from a said shell portion; (j) wherein
said bi-directional device receives said first line and said second
line; (k) wherein when said control handle is rotated in the first
rotational direction about said axis, at least a portion of said
first line is drawn into said bi-directional device; and (l)
wherein when said control handle is rotated in a second rotational
direction about said axis, at least a portion of said second line
is drawn into said bi-directional device; and (m) wherein said
first rotational direction is opposite said second rotational
direction.
14. The adjustable helmet of claim 13, (n) wherein said control
handle is positionable relative to said bi-directional device into
a drive position and a release position; (o) wherein, when said
control handle is positioned at the drive position, said portion of
said first line and said portion of said second line are each
prevented from being withdrawn from said bi-directional device; and
(p) wherein, when said control handle is positioned at the release
position, said portion of said first line and said portion of said
second line are not prevented from being withdrawn from said
bi-directional device.
15. The adjustable helmet of claim 13, wherein said first shell
portion comprises a forward shell portion for receiving the
forehead of a user.
16. The adjustable helmet of claim 13, wherein said second shell
portion comprises a forward shell portion for receiving the
forehead of a user.
17. An article of protective apparel for placement on and
protection of a portion of the body of a user, said article
comprising: (a) a protective shell for receiving at least a portion
of the body of a user; (b) a bi-directional device from which
extends a control handle; (c) a first line coupled to said shell;
and (d) a second line coupled to said shell; (e) wherein said
control handle is rotatable about an axis; (f) wherein said first
shell portion is coupled to said second shell portion; (g) wherein
said bi-directional device receives said first line and said second
line; (h) wherein when said control handle is rotated in the first
rotational direction about said axis, at least a portion of said
first line is drawn into said bi-directional device; (i) wherein
when said control handle is rotated in a second rotational
direction about said axis, at least a portion of said second line
is drawn into said bi-directional device; (j) wherein said first
rotational direction is opposite said second rotational direction;
and (k) wherein said protective shell is tightened about the
portion of the body of the user by rotation of said control
handle.
18. The article of protective apparel of claim 17, (l) wherein said
control handle is positionable relative to said bi-directional
device into a drive position and a release position; (m) wherein,
when said control handle is positioned at the drive position, said
portion of said first line and said portion of said second line are
each prevented from being withdrawn from said bi-directional
device; and (n) wherein, when said control handle is positioned at
the release position, said portion of said first line and said
portion of said second line are not prevented from being withdrawn
from said bi-directional device.
19. The article of protective apparel of claim 18, (o) wherein said
control handle is positionable along said axis relative to said
bi-directional device; and (p) wherein the drive position and the
release position are each obtained by manual movement of said
control handle along said axis.
20. The article of protective apparel of claim 17, wherein said
bi-directional device comprises: (l) a spool for winding said
portion of said first line thereon; (m) a first crown gear coupled
to said spool for rotating said spool; and (m) a second crown gear
coupled to the spool for preventing rotation of said spool; (o) a
driving gear attached to said control handle; (p) a locking gear
capable of being engaged by said second crown gear; (q) wherein
said spool, said first crown gear, and said second crown gear, are
concentric about said axis; (r) wherein said first crown gear is
positionable within a range along said axis relative to said spool;
(s) wherein said first crown gear is biased away from said spool
and toward said driving gear by an elastic force; (t) wherein said
second crown gear is positionable within a range along said axis
relative to said spool; (u) wherein said second crown gear is
biased away from said spool and toward said locking gear by an
elastic force; (v) wherein, when said control handle is rotated in
the first rotational direction about said axis, said driving gear
is rotated in the first rotational direction about said axis and
engages said first crown gear thereby rotating said spool about
said axis in the first rotational direction whereby said portion of
said first line is wound about said spool; and (w) wherein, said
second crown gear engages said locking gear thereby preventing
rotation of said spool in the second rotational direction whereby
said portion of said first line wound about said spool is prevented
from being withdrawn from said bi-directional device
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims
priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 to, U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/276,400, filed Feb. 27, 2006, which is a nonprovisional of,
and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) to, U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/656,335, filed Feb. 25, 2005,
and which '400 application is a continuation-in-part of: [0002] (1)
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/276,357, filed Feb. 24, 2006,
which published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US
2006/0185357, and which '357 application is a nonprovisional of
60/656,335, and further which '357 application is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/222,549, filed Sep. 9, 2005, which '549 application is a
nonprovisional of 60/656,335 and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/608,397, and which '549 application a
continuation-in-part of each of: [0003] (A) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/123,900 filed May 6, 2005, which published as U.S.
Patent Application Publication No. US 2005/0247813 A1, and which is
a nonprovisional of 60/656,335, 60/608,397, and U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/569,304, and [0004] (B) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/123,942, filed May 6, 2005, which published
as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0015988 A1, and
which is a nonprovisional of 60/656,335, 60/608,397, and
60/569,304; [0005] (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/123,900,
filed May 6, 2005, which published as U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. US 2005/0247813 A1, and which is a nonprovisional
of 60/656,335, 60/608,397, and 60/569,304; and [0006] (3) U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/123,942, filed May 6, 2005, which
published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US
2006/0015988 A1, and which is a nonprovisional of 60/656,335,
60/608,397, and 60/569,304. The entire disclosure of each of these
patent applications and patent application publications is hereby
incorporated herein by reference. The present patent application
further incorporates herein by reference U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. US 2007/0039085, which disclosure is identical to
that of the incorporated '400 application from which priority is
claimed.
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
[0007] All of the material in this patent document, including that
of the figures, is subject to copyright protection under the
copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The
copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by
anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it
appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other
copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates generally to an article of
protective apparel having a bi-directional device for adjusting the
fit of the article, and more specifically to an adjustable
helmet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The use of a spool onto which a line may be wound is well
known. Conventionally, a dial, crank or the like is provided for
the spool in order to facilitate winding and unwinding of the line
onto or off of the spool. Furthermore, if two spools are utilized
in a single apparatus, a separate dial, crank or the like is
typically provided for each spool in order to facilitate winding
and unwinding of the line onto or off of a respective spool. In
some cases, however, it is desired to independently control the
winding or unwinding of two lines, on two different spools, using
only a single dial, crank or the like.
[0010] Unfortunately, prior art two-spool combinations having only
a single dial, crank or the like are generally intended to be used
with only a single line and thus have no need to 1) use a single
dial to wind the spools independently of each other, and/or 2)
inhibit the rotation of a first spool, thereby preventing the first
line from being unwound, when winding the second line on the second
spool. Thus, although such apparatuses are presumed suitable for
their intended purposes, they have no relevance to the problem
described above.
[0011] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,471 to Mercurio
("Mercurio") discloses a wire tensioning device, having a first
spool, a second spool and a dial, which in overall appearance
resembles the general appearance of one or more embodiments of the
present invention. Being for a very different purpose, however, the
Mercurio device has a different structure and operation
corresponding to a different function. More particularly, when the
Mercurio dial is rotated in one direction, it winds both spools,
thereby increasing the tension in a telephone wire or the like and
correspondingly raising the wire from the ground to its tensioned
disposition between two telephone poles. Unfortunately, rotation of
the dial in the opposite direction does not cause either spool to
wind the line; instead, in conjunction with its intended purpose,
rotating the dial in this opposite direction causes both spools to
unwind, thereby releasing the tension in the line. Because there is
no need to control tension in two different lines, there is no need
to control the two spools separately.
[0012] A very different arrangement, with a very different
function, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 881,772 to Canney
("Canney"). Canney discloses a two-reel clothes line in which both
reels are rotated simultaneously, thereby winding the clothes line
from one reel to the other. Unfortunately, the spools in Canney are
inseparably coupled together such that rotation of one necessarily
causes rotation of the other. Thus, although rotation of the handle
in Canney in a first direction causes the line to wind around the
first spool and rotation of the handle in a second (opposite)
direction causes the other end of the line wind around the second
spool, there is no way to inhibit the line from unwinding from the
first spool when the line is being wound around the second spool.
In other words, the reel in Canney is specifically intended to
cause or facilitate unwinding rather than inhibit it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention includes many aspects and features.
Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to adjustably
fitted articles of protective apparel, and are described in the
context of adjustably fitted helmets, the present invention is not
limited to use as a helmet, as will become apparent from the
following summaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features,
and one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0014] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to
an article of protective apparel for placement on and protection of
a portion of the body of a user of the article. The article
includes a protective shell and a bi-directional device that
receives a first and second line that each extend to the shell.
Rotation of a control handle that extends from the bi-directional
device causes portions of the lines to be drawn into the device,
thereby tightening the protective shell about the user.
[0015] Another aspect of the present invention relates more
specifically to a helmet for protecting the head of a user. The
helmet of this aspect includes a shell and a bi-directional device
for shortening lengths of lines extending from the shell by
rotation of a control handle of the device.
[0016] In a variation of this aspect of the invention, the
bi-directional device and at least two lines define an adjustable
chin strap that is capable of being tightened by manual rotation of
the control handle of the device. Optionally, the chin strap is
capable of being loosened by manual positioning of the control
handle into a release position.
[0017] In another variation of this aspect of the invention, a left
chin strap is defined by at least two lines that pass about the
left ear, and a right chin strap is defined by at least two lines
that pass about the right ear. The left chin strap is tightened by
rotation of the control handle in a first rotational direction, and
the right chin strap is tightened by rotation of the control handle
in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational
direction.
[0018] Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a helmet
having first and second shell portions. When a control handle of
the helmet is rotated, the first shell portion is drawn toward the
second shell portion thereby tightening the helmet about the head
of the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] One or more embodiments of the present invention will now be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings
briefly described below, wherein the same elements are referred to
with the same reference numerals.
[0020] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a bi-directional device
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 1B is a side view showing a drive position obtained by
the bi-directional device of FIG. 1A.
[0022] FIG. 1C is a top view of showing a line portion drawn into
the bi-directional device of FIG. 1A.
[0023] FIG. 1D is a top view showing another line portion drawn
into the bi-directional device of FIG. 1A.
[0024] FIG. 1E is side view of showing a release position obtained
by the bi-directional device of FIG. 1A.
[0025] FIG. 1F is a top view showing line portions withdrawn from
the bi-directional device of FIG. 1A.
[0026] FIG. 2A is a side view of showing a drive position obtained
by another embodiment of a bi-directional device according to the
invention.
[0027] FIG. 2B is a top view showing line portions drawn into the
bi-directional device of FIG. 2A.
[0028] FIG. 2C is a top view showing other line portions drawn into
the bi-directional device of FIG. 2A
[0029] FIG. 2D is a side view showing a release position obtained
by the bi-directional device of FIG. 2A
[0030] FIG. 2E is top view showing line portions withdrawn from the
bi-directional device of FIG. 2A
[0031] FIG. 3A is a diagrammatical view of several of the
components of the bi-directional device of FIG. 2A.
[0032] FIG. 3B is a diagrammatical view of lines winding onto a
spool assembly of the bi-directional device of FIG. 3A.
[0033] FIG. 3C is diagrammatical view of other lines winding onto
another spool assembly of the bi-directional device of FIG. 3A.
[0034] FIG. 3D is a diagrammatical view of a release position
obtained by the components of FIG. 3A.
[0035] FIG. 3E is a diagrammatical view of lines unwinding from the
spool assembly of FIG. 3B.
[0036] FIG. 3F is a diagrammatical view of lines unwinding from the
spool assembly of FIG. 3C.
[0037] FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of a bi-directional
device according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0038] FIG. 4B is another exploded perspective view of the
bi-directional device of FIG. 4A.
[0039] FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of particular
components of the bi-directional device of FIG. 4A.
[0040] FIG. 5B is another exploded perspective view of the
components of FIG. 5A.
[0041] FIG. 6A is an exploded view of a spool assembly according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0042] FIG. 6B is another exploded perspective view of the spool
assembly of FIG. 6A.
[0043] FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective view of particular
components of the bi-directional device of FIG. 4A.
[0044] FIG. 7B is another exploded perspective view of the
components of FIG. 7A.
[0045] FIG. 8A is an exploded perspective view of another spool
assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0046] FIG. 8B is another exploded perspective view of the spool
assembly of FIG. 8A.
[0047] FIG. 9A is an exploded perspective view of a bi-directional
device according to another embodiment of the invention.
[0048] FIG. 9B is another exploded perspective view of the
bi-directional device of FIG. 9A.
[0049] FIG. 10A is an exploded perspective view of a spool assembly
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0050] FIG. 10B is another exploded perspective view of the spool
assembly of FIG. 10A.
[0051] FIG. 11A is a left side view of a helmet having a
bi-directional device according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0052] FIG. 11B is a right side view of the helmet of FIG. 11A.
[0053] FIG. 12A is a left side view of another helmet having a
bi-directional device according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0054] FIG. 12B is a right side view of the helmet of FIG. 12A.
[0055] FIG. 13 is a left side view of yet another helmet having a
bi-directional device according to an embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0056] As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by
one having ordinary skill in the relevant art ("Ordinary Artisan")
that the present invention has broad utility and application.
Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being
"preferred" is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated
for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may
be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a
full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. Moreover,
many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications,
and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the
embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the
present invention.
[0057] Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein
in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be
understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of
the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of
providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention.
The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not
intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent
protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be
defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not
intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present
invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found
herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
[0058] Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of
steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are
illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be
understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may
be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order,
the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being
carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an
indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or
methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences
and orders while still falling within the scope of the present
invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent
protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the
appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.
[0059] Additionally, it is important to note that each term used
herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand
such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein.
To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein--as understood
by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such
term--differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition
of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as
understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.
[0060] Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein,
"a" and "an" each generally denotes "at least one," but does not
exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise.
Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having an apple" describes "a
picnic basket having at least one apple" as well as "a picnic
basket having apples." In contrast, reference to "a picnic basket
having a single apple" describes "a picnic basket having only one
apple."
[0061] When used herein to join a list of items, "or" denotes "at
lease one of the items," but does not exclude a plurality of items
of the list. Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having cheese or
crackers" describes "a picnic basket having cheese without
crackers", "a picnic basket having crackers without cheese", and "a
picnic basket having both cheese and crackers." Finally, when used
herein to join a list of items, "and" denotes "all of the items of
the list." Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having cheese and
crackers" describes "a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the
picnic basket further has crackers," as well as describes "a picnic
basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has
cheese."
[0062] Turning now to FIG. 1A, an embodiment of a bi-directional
device 100 according to the invention includes a housing 102 from
which extends a rotatable control handle 104, a first flexible line
106, and a second flexible line 108. The control handle 104 is
rotatable relative to the housing about an axis 110. When the
control handle 104 is rotated in a first rotational direction 112
about the axis 110, at least a portion of the first line 106 is
drawn into the housing 102. When the control handle 104 is rotated
in a second rotational direction 114, opposite the first rotational
direction 112, at least a portion of the second line 108 is drawn
into the housing 102. The lengths of the portions of the lines that
extend from the housing are thereby shortened by respective
rotations of the control handle about the axis in the two
rotational directions.
[0063] Furthermore, the control handle 104 is positionable along
the axis 110 within a range. A drive position (FIG. 1B) of the
control handle is obtained when the control handle is positioned at
the inward extreme of the range relative to the housing 102. A
release position (FIG. 1E) of the control handle is obtained when
the control handle is positioned at the outward extreme of the
range relative to the housing. The drive position is generally
obtained by the bi-directional device by way of an elastic force
among internal components of the device that biases the control
handle into the drive position.
[0064] When the control handle 104 is positioned at the drive
position (FIG. 1B), rotation of the control handle about the axis
110 in the first rotational direction 112 results in at least a
portion of the first line 106 being drawn into the housing (FIG.
1C). Furthermore, when the control handle is positioned at the
drive position, rotation of the control handle about the axis 110
in the second rotational direction 114 results in at least a
portion of the second line 108 being drawn into the housing (FIG.
1D). The portions of the lines drawn into the housing by rotation
of the handle are prevented from being withdrawn as long as the
control handle remains in the drive position (FIG. 1B).
[0065] However, when an external pulling force overcomes the
elastic force and displaces the control handle from the drive
position (FIG. 1B) and into the release position (FIG. 1E), the
portions of the lines 106,108 that were drawn into the housing by
respective rotations of the control handle are no longer prevented
from being withdrawn and can be pulled from the housing. Thus, the
lengths of the lines extending from the housing can be drawn into
the housing by rotating the control handle at the drive position
(FIG. 1B), and, can be withdrawn from the housing when the control
handle is pulled into the release position (FIG. 1E).
[0066] Flexible lines 106,108 are shown in FIG. 1 as mono-filament
lines though the various embodiment of bi-directional devices
described herein are useful as well for drawing and tensioning
multi-filament lines. Indeed, "flexible line," as used herein,
refers to many types of elongate flexible lines having various
constructions and formed of various materials having respective
tensile and flexible properties. Exemplary constructions include,
but are not limited to: mono-filament lines, multi-filament lines,
wound lines, woven lines, braided lines, layered lines, strings,
ropes, cords, threads, twines, intertwined strands, chains,
tethers, belts, bands, straps, and combinations thereof. Exemplary
materials include, but are not limited to: natural fibers including
hemp, cotton, linen, hide, gut, and sinew; synthetic and plastic
fibers such as nylon, polyethylene, and fluorocarbon; lines formed
of metals such as wires and cables; and, combinations thereof.
[0067] Components of the bi-directional device 100 including the
housing 102 and control handle 104 are preferably formed of
injection molded plastic though other materials and manufacturing
techniques are within the scope of the discussions herein of
various embodiments of bi-directional devices. For example, the
components of the bi-directional device can be formed of molded
metal or can be machined from solid material such as steel or
plastic.
[0068] As shown in FIGS. 2A-2E, another embodiment of a
bi-directional device 200 according to the invention includes a
housing 202, multiple first lines 206, multiple second lines 208,
and a rotatable control handle 204 that is positionable into a
drive position (FIG. 2A) and a release position (FIG. 2D). The
drive position is generally obtained by the bi-directional device
by way of an elastic force among internal components of the device
that biases the control handle toward the housing and into the
drive position. The release position is obtained when a user of the
bi-directional device 200 pulls the handle 204 along the axis 210,
displacing the handle from the drive position.
[0069] When the control handle 204 is positioned at the drive
position (FIG. 2A) and rotated in the first rotational direction
212 (FIG. 2B), at least a portion of each first line 206 is drawn
into the housing 202. Furthermore, when the control handle 204 is
positioned at the drive position and rotated in the second
rotational direction 214 (FIG. 2C), at least a portion of each of
second line 208 is drawn into the housing. The portions of the
lines drawn into the housing by rotations of the handle are
prevented from being withdrawn as long as the control handle
remains in the drive position.
[0070] When the control handle 204 is positioned at the release
position (FIG. 2D-2E), portions of the lines 206,208 can be
withdrawn from the housing. In particular, those portions that were
previously drawn into the housing by respective rotations of the
control handle (FIGS. 2B-2C) can be withdrawn by pulling the lines
from the housing.
[0071] Several components of the bi-directional device 200 (FIGS.
2A-2E) that are within the housing 202 are diagrammatically shown
in FIGS. 3A-3F. These components include an axle 222 rotatable
about the axis 210, a first spool assembly 224 coupled to the axle
222, and a second spool assembly 226 coupled to the axle 222. The
first flexible lines 206 are attached to the first spool assembly
224 for winding thereon, and the second flexible lines 208 are
attached to the second spool assembly 226 for winding thereon. The
axle 222 (FIGS. 3A-3F) is attached to the control handle 204 (FIGS.
2A-2E) such that when the control handle is travels along and
rotates about the axis 210, the axle 222 travels and rotates with
the control handle.
[0072] In particular, when the control handle 204 is positioned at
the drive position (FIG. 2A), the axle 222 is positioned along the
axis 210 into a drive position as shown in FIG. 3A. When axle 222
is positioned at the drive position and rotated in the first
rotational direction 212 (FIG. 3B), the first spool assembly 224 is
thereby rotated in the first rotational direction and at least
portions of the first lines 206 are thereby wound onto the first
spool assembly. When the axle 222 is positioned at the drive
position and rotated in the second rotational direction 214 (FIG.
3C), the second spool assembly is thereby rotated in the second
rotational direction and at least portions of the second lines 208
are thereby wound onto the second spool assembly. Unwinding of the
lines from the spools is prevented as long as the axle is
positioned at the drive position.
[0073] Furthermore, when the control handle 204 is positioned at
the release position (FIG. 2D), the axle 222 is positioned into a
release position as shown in FIG. 3D. As shown in FIG. 3E, when the
axle obtains the release position, and external pulling forces are
applied to the first lines 206, the first spool assembly 224 is
permitted to rotate in the second rotational direction 214 thereby
permitting unwinding of the first lines responsively to the torque
that results from the external pulling forces. Similarly, as shown
in FIG. 3F, when the axle obtains the release position, and
external pulling forces are applied to the second lines 208, the
second spool assembly 226 is permitted to rotate in the first
rotational direction 212 thereby permitting unwinding of the second
lines responsively to the torque that results from the external
pulling forces.
[0074] As shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, yet another embodiment of a
bi-directional device 300 includes an axle 302 rotatable about an
axis 304, a first driving component 306 attached to the axle 302, a
second driving component 308, a first spool assembly 310, and a
second spool assembly 312.
[0075] The first spool assembly 310 includes a first spool 314 and
a third driving component 316 (FIG. 4B) coupled to the first spool
314. The third driving component 316 is engagable by the first
driving component 306 for rotation of the first spool assembly when
the axle 302 is rotated in a first rotational direction 318 about
the axis 304. Any number of flexible lines attached to the first
spool 314 are wound about the first spool upon rotation of the
first spool in the first rotational direction.
[0076] The second spool assembly 312 includes a second spool 320
and a fourth driving component 322 (FIG. 4B) coupled to the second
spool 320. The fourth driving component 322 is engagable by the
second driving component 308 for rotation of the second spool
assembly when the axle 302 is rotated in a second rotational
direction 334 about the axis 304. Any number of flexible lines
attached to the second spool 320 are wound about the second spool
upon rotation of the second spool in the second rotational
direction.
[0077] The bi-directional device 300 further includes a housing
336. The housing 336 includes a continuous substantially circular
wall 338 defining a cylindrical interior concentric with the axis
304. An annular flange 340 (FIG. 5A-5B) is connected along its
outer circular margin to the interior side of the wall 338 and
extends radially inwardly from the wall. A number of capture teeth
342 extend radially inwardly from the wall 338 (FIG. 5B). In
assembling the device, the first spool assembly 310 is pressed into
the cylindrical interior of the wall 338 past the capture teeth 342
and is retained by the capture teeth within the housing between the
annular flange 340 and the capture teeth 342.
[0078] As shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, the housing 336 further includes a
base 344 that snaps into attachment with the wall 338. In
assembling the device, the second driving component 308 and the
second spool assembly 312 are disposed within the cylindrical
interior of the wall 338 and the base 344 is snapped into
attachment with the wall. The second driving component 308 is
thereby captured between the annular flange 340 (FIG. 5A) and the
second spool assembly 312; and, the second spool assembly is
thereby captured between the second driving component and the base
344.
[0079] Furthermore, in assembling the device, the axle 302 is
passed through the first spool assembly 310, through the housing
338, through the second driving component 308, through the second
spool assembly 312, partially through the base 344, and into a
retention cap 346. The axle 302 is received and retained by the
retention cap 346 in a press-fit attachment. Similarly, the base
344 snaps into attachment with the wall 338 in a press-fit
attachment. These press-fit attachments may be further supported,
for example by locking grooves and rings, set screws, cotter pins,
adhesives, and welding. In another embodiment of a bi-directional
device, the wall of the housing, the base, the axle, and the
retention cap each have threaded portions such that, in assembling
that device, the base is screwed into the wall of the housing, and
the retention cap is screwed onto the axle.
[0080] A base cylinder 360 (FIG. 4B) is attached to the base 344
and extends along the axis 304. A well 362 (FIG. 4A) is defined
within the interior of the base cylinder for receiving the
retention cap 346. A capture flange 364 (FIG. 4B) extends radially
inwardly from the base cylinder 360 at an end of the base cylinder
opposite its attachment to the base 344.
[0081] The retention cap 346 is dimensioned to pass into the well
362 of the base cylinder and partially through the capture flange
364. A capture flange 368 extends radially outward from the
retention cap 346 to prevent the retention cap from passing
completely through the base 344. The capture flange 368 of the
retention cap 346 is dimensioned such that it will pass into the
well 362, and is rotatable therein, but will not pass through the
capture flange 364 of the base cylinder 360. Travel of the
retention cap into the housing is thereby limited by abutment of
the capture flange of the retention cap with that of the base
cylinder.
[0082] A biasing spring 370 is disposed between the retention cap
346 and base 344 within the well 362. The biasing spring 370 is
generally compressed between the capture flange 368 of the
retention cap and the capture flange 364 of the base cylinder 360,
and generally biases the retention cap away from the base 344 and
out of the housing 336 with an elastic force of the biasing spring.
Insofar as the axle 302 is retained by the retention cap 346 upon
assembly of the device 300, the axle 302 is biased toward the base
344 and into the housing 336 by the elastic force of the biasing
spring 370. The biasing spring 370 is preferably formed of spring
steel though other mechanisms for providing an elastic force to
bias the axle toward the base are within the scope of this
discussion.
[0083] As shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the axle 302 includes a first axle
portion 380 (FIG. 5A) to which is attached the first driving
component 306 and a control handle 382. A number of capture teeth
384 extend radially outward from the first axle portion 380 for
retaining the first spool assembly 310 on the first axle portion
380. In assembling the bi-directional device 300 (FIGS. 4A-4B), the
first axle portion 380 is passed through the first spool assembly
320 such the capture teeth 384 are pressed through the first spool
assembly and retain the assembly on the first axle portion between
the capture teeth and the first driving component 306. The first
spool assembly 320 is then conditionally rotatable about the first
axle portion 380.
[0084] Insofar as the axle 302 is retained by the retention cap 346
and is thereby biased into the housing 336 by way of the elastic
force of the biasing spring 370 (FIG. 4A), the first driving
component 306 (FIG. 5A) attached to the axle is biased into
abutment and engagement with the third driving component 316 (FIG.
5B) that is coupled to the first spool 314. A drive position of the
axle for the rotation of spools is thereby defined and generally
obtained when the first driving component 306 abuts the third
driving component 316. The elastic force of the biasing spring 370
generally maintains the axle 302 in the drive position.
[0085] When the drive position of the axle 302 is obtained, and the
axle is rotated in the first rotational direction 318 about the
axis 304, the first driving component 306 engages the third driving
component 316 thereby rotating the first spool 314 in the first
rotational direction 318 about the axis 304 (FIGS. 5A-5B). However,
when the axle 302 is rotated in the second rotational direction
334, the first spool 314 is not rotated.
[0086] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the first and
third driving components 306,316 include one-way crown gears that
engage when the first driving component 306 is rotated in one
rotational direction, namely the first rotational direction 318.
Slipping is permitted between the first and third driving
components when the first driving component 306 is rotated in the
other rotational direction, namely the second rotational direction
334. At least slight travel of the third driving component 316
along the axis 304 is permitted against the elastic force of a wave
spring, as shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, to facilitate slipping between the
first driving component and third driving component when the axle
is rotated in the second rotational direction.
[0087] A first locking component 390 (FIG. 5B) is attached to the
annular flange 340 facing the first spool assembly 310. A third
locking component 392 (FIG. 5A) is coupled to the first spool 314
facing the annular flange 340. When the axle 302 obtains the drive
position, the third locking component 392 abuts the first locking
component 390 thereby preventing the first spool 314 from rotating
in the second rotational direction 334 about the axis 304. As the
first spool 314 is rotated in the first rotational direction 318,
the third locking component 392 slips relative to the first locking
component 390. That is, though abutment of the third locking
component 392 and first locking component 390 is maintained when
the axle 302 obtains the drive position, the engagement of the
locking components is a one-way locking engagement.
[0088] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the first and
third locking components include one-way crown gears that engage to
prevent the third locking component 392 from rotating in one
rotational direction, namely the second rotational direction 334,
while slipping is permitted in the other rotational direction,
namely the first rotational direction 318. At least slight travel
of the third locking component along the axis 304 relative to the
first spool 314 is permitted against the elastic force of a wave
spring, as shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, to facilitate slipping between the
third locking component and first locking component as the first
spool is rotated in the first rotational direction.
[0089] As shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, the first spool assembly 310
includes the first spool 314, the third driving component 316
coupled to the first spool, the third locking component 392 coupled
to the first spool, and a wave spring 400 for biasing the third
driving component and third locking component outward from the
first spool. Retention fingers 402 depend from the third driving
component 316 along the axis 304 toward the first spool 314.
Similarly, retention fingers 404 depend from the third locking
component 392 along the axis 304 toward the first spool 314. Spaces
between regularly spaced spokes 406 of the first spool allow
passage of the retention fingers 402,404. The wave spring and first
spool are captured between the third driving component 316 and
third locking component 392 when the retention fingers 402 engage
the retention fingers 404.
[0090] The third driving component 316 (FIG. 6A) is biased away
from the first spool 314 and toward the first driving component 306
(FIG. 5A) of the axle by an elastic force of the wave spring 400.
Furthermore, the third locking component 392 (FIG. 6A) is biased
away from the first spool 314 and toward the first locking
component 390 (FIG. 5B) of the housing by an elastic force of the
wave spring. Thus the elastic forces of the biasing spring 370
(FIGS. 4A-4B) and wave spring 400 generally maintain abutment of
the first spool assembly with the first driving component of the
axle and the first locking component of the housing.
[0091] However, when a pulling force externally applied to the
control handle 382 overcomes the elastic force of the spring 370
and displaces the axle 302 along the axis 304 and away from the
housing 336, the first spool assembly loses abutment with the first
driving component and first locking component. A release position
of the axle is thereby obtained and defined. As the axle is pulled
from the housing until the capture flange 368 of the retention cap
346 abuts the capture flange 364 of the base cylinder 360 (FIG.
4B), the first spool assembly 310, retained on the first axle
portion 380 (FIG. 5A) by the capture teeth 384, travels with the
axle and loses abutment with the first locking component 390 (FIG.
5B). Furthermore, travel of the first spool assembly with the axle
is limited by the capture teeth 342 of the housing 336 such that
abutment with the first driving component 306 is lost. Thus, when
the release position of the axle is obtained, the first spool
assembly, captured between the capture teeth 384 (FIG. 5A) of the
axle and the capture teeth 342 (FIG. 5B) of the housing, is freely
rotatable about the first axle portion 380 (FIG. 5A).
[0092] With regard to rotation of the first spool assembly 310
(FIG. 4A-4B) in the first rotational direction 318, in summary,
when the axle 302 obtains the drive position as biased by the
biasing spring 370, the first driving component 306 of the axle
abuts the third driving component 316 of the first spool assembly.
Furthermore, when the control handle is rotated in the first
rotational direction 318, the first spool 314 is thereby rotated in
the first rotational direction. Any flexible lines attached to the
first spool are thereby wound about the first spool. For example,
two flexible lines (not shown) are preferably attached to the first
spool 314 and extend therefrom through holes 406 (FIG. 5A-5B)
formed in the circular wall 338 of the housing 336. As the first
spool 314 is rotated in the first rotational direction 318 by
rotation of the control handle, the lengths of the lines that
extend from the housing 336 are shortened. Subsequent withdrawal of
the lines from the housing are prevented by engagement of the third
locking component 392 (FIG. 5A) of the first spool 314 with the
first locking component 390 (FIG. 5B) of the housing 336 as long as
the axle 302 is maintained in the drive position. In this regard,
operation of the bi-directional device 300 of FIGS. 4A-4B is
essentially the same as operation of the bi-directional device 200
of FIGS. 2A-2B.
[0093] With regard to releasing the first spool assembly to allow
withdrawal of flexible lines from the housing, when the control
handle is displaced along the axis 304 into the release position,
the first spool assembly, captured between the capture teeth 384
(FIG. 5A) of the first axle portion 380 and the capture teeth 342
(FIG. 5B) of the housing, is freely rotatable about the first axle
portion 380. In this regard, operation of the bi-directional device
300 of FIGS. 4A-4B is essentially the same as operation of the
bi-directional device 200 of FIGS. 2D-2E.
[0094] As shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, the axle 302 has a drive stage 410
for rotating the second driving component 308 with the axle. A
drive aperture 411 is formed through the second driving component
and receives the drive stage 410 of the axle in a press fit
attachment when the device is assembled. The press fit attachment
of the second drive component with the drive stage can be assisted
by adhesive, set screws, welding, or other attachment. Thus, the
second driving component 308, retained by the axle, travels and
rotates with the axle when the control handle is rotated about the
axis 304 and positioned along the axis 404. With the axle in the
drive position, the second driving component 308 abuts the fourth
driving component 322 of the second spool assembly 312. When the
axle is rotated in the second rotational direction 334, the second
driving component 308 engages the fourth driving component 322 and
thereby rotates the second spool 320 in the second rotational
direction. However, when the axle 302 is rotated in the first
rotational direction 318, the second spool 320 is not rotated.
[0095] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, the second and
fourth driving components 308,322 include one-way crown gears that
engage when the second driving component 308 is rotated in one
rotational direction, namely the second rotational direction 334.
Slipping is permitted between the second and fourth driving
components when the second driving component is rotated in the
other rotational direction, namely the first rotational direction
318. At least slight travel of the fourth driving component along
the axis 304 is permitted against the elastic force of a wave
spring, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, to facilitate slipping between the
second driving component and fourth driving component when the axle
is rotated in the first rotational direction 318.
[0096] As further shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, a second locking component
420 (FIG. 7B) is attached to the base 344 facing the second spool
assembly 312. A fourth locking component 410 (FIG. 7A) is coupled
to the second spool 320 facing the second locking component 420.
When the axle 302 obtains the drive position, the fourth locking
component 410 abuts the second locking component 420 thereby
preventing the second spool 320 from rotating in the first
rotational direction 318 about the axis 304. As the second spool
320 is rotated in the second rotational direction 334, the fourth
locking component 410 slips relative to the second locking
component 420. That is, though abutment of the fourth locking
component 410 and second locking component 420 is maintained when
the axle 302 obtains the drive position, the engagement of the
locking components is a one-way locking engagement.
[0097] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, the second and
fourth locking components 420 (FIG. 7B), 410 (FIG. 7A) include
one-way crown gears that engage to prevent the fourth locking
component from rotating in one rotational direction, namely the
first rotational direction 318, while slipping is permitted in the
other rotational direction, namely the second rotational direction
334. At least slight travel of the fourth locking component along
the axis 304 relative to the second spool 320 is permitted against
the elastic force of a wave spring, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, to
facilitate slipping between the fourth locking component and second
locking component as the second spool is rotated in the second
rotational direction.
[0098] As shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, the second spool assembly 312
includes the second spool 320, the fourth driving component 322
coupled to the first spool, the fourth locking component 410
coupled to the second spool, and a wave spring 412 for biasing the
fourth driving component and fourth locking component outward from
the second spool. Retention fingers 414 depend from the fourth
driving component 422 along the axis 304 toward the second spool
320. Similarly, retention fingers 416 depend from the fourth
locking component 410 along the axis 304 toward the second spool
320. Spaces between regularly spaced spokes 418 of the second spool
allow passage of the retention fingers 414,416 therethrough for
mutual interlocking engagement of the fingers. The wave spring 412
and second spool 320 are captured between the fourth driving
component 322 and fourth locking component 410 when the retention
fingers 414 engage the retention fingers 416.
[0099] The spokes 418 of the second spool 320 radiate outward from
a central hub 426 (FIG. 8B) that is rotatable about the base
cylinder 360 of the base 344 (FIG. 4B). An abutment flange 428
extends radially inwardly from central hub 426 (FIG. 8A-8B) at an
end of the hub that faces the fourth driving component 322. The
abutment flange 428 allows passage and rotation of the axle 302 but
is dimensioned to abut an abutment surface 430 of the retention cap
346 (FIG. 4B) and prevent passage of the retention cap.
[0100] The fourth driving component 322 is biased away from the
second spool 320 and toward the second driving component 308 (FIG.
7A) by an elastic force of the wave spring 412 (FIG. 8A-8B).
Furthermore, the wave spring 412 biases the fourth locking
component 410 (FIG. 4A) away from the second spool 320 and toward
the second locking component 420 (FIG. 4B) of the base 344. The
biasing spring 370 (FIGS. 4A-4B) biases the axle 302 toward the
base 344 and thus biases the second driving component 308 toward
the base and the second spool assembly 312. Thus the elastic forces
of the biasing spring 370 (FIGS. 4A-4B) and wave spring 412 (FIGS.
8A-8B) generally maintain abutment of the second spool assembly 312
with the second driving component 308 of the axle and the second
locking component 420 of the base 344.
[0101] However, when a pulling force externally applied to the
control handle 382 overcomes the elastic force of the spring 370,
displacing the axle 302 along the axis 304 away from the housing
336, the release position of the axle is obtained such that the
second spool assembly loses abutment with the second locking
component and second driving component. In particular, as the axle
302 is pulled from the housing until the capture flange 368 of the
retention cap 346 abuts the capture flange 364 of the base cylinder
360 (FIG. 4B), the abutting surface 430 of the retention cap 346
abuts the abutment flange 428 (FIG. 8A-8B) of the second spool
thereby displacing the second spool assembly 312 along the axis 304
toward the annular flange 340 (FIG. 7A) of the housing 336 causing
abutment of the second spool assembly and second locking component
420 (FIG. 7B) to be lost. Furthermore, as the axle 302 is pulled
from the housing, the second driving component 308 loses abutment
with the second spool assembly 312 because travel of the second
spool 320 toward the annular flange 340 (FIG. 7A) is limited by a
number of capture teeth 432 extending radially inward from the wall
338 of the housing 336. The capture teeth 432 are dimensioned such
that passage of the second driving component 308 is permitted but
passage of the second spool 320 is prevented. Thus, when the
release position of the axle is obtained, the second spool
assembly, captured between the abutting surface 430 of the
retention cap 346 (FIG. 4B) and the capture teeth 432 (FIG. 7A) of
the housing, is freely rotatable about the axle 302 and base
cylinder 360 (FIG. 4B).
[0102] With regard to rotation of the second spool assembly 312
(FIG. 4A-4B) in the second rotational direction 334, in summary,
when the axle 302 obtains the drive position as biased by the
biasing spring 370, the second driving component 308 attached to
the axle abuts the fourth driving component 322 of the second spool
assembly. Furthermore, when the control handle 382 is rotated in
the second rotational direction 334, the second spool 320 is
thereby rotated in the second rotational direction. Any flexible
lines attached to the second spool are thereby wound about the
second spool. For example, two flexible lines (not shown) are
preferably attached to the second spool 320 and extend therefrom
through holes 434 (FIG. 7A-7B) formed in the circular wall 338 of
the housing 336. As the second spool 320 is rotated in the second
rotational direction 334 by rotation of the control handle, the
lengths of the lines that extend from the housing 336 are
shortened. Subsequent withdrawal of the lines from the housing are
prevented by engagement of the fourth locking component 410 (FIG.
4A) of the second spool 320 with the second locking component 420
(FIG. 4B) of the base 344 as long as the axle 302 is maintained in
the drive position. In this regard, operation of the bi-directional
device 300 of FIGS. 4A-4B is essentially the same as operation of
the bi-directional device 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2C.
[0103] With regard to releasing the second spool assembly to allow
withdrawal of flexible lines from the housing, when the control
handle is displaced along the axis 304 into the release position,
the second spool assembly, captured between the abutment surface
430 of the retention cap 346 (FIG. 4B) and the capture teeth 432 of
the housing 336 (FIG. 7A), is freely rotatable about the axle 302
and base cylinder 360. In this regard, operation of the
bi-directional device 300 of FIGS. 4A-4B is essentially the same as
operation of the bi-directional device 200 of FIGS. 2D-2E.
[0104] Yet another embodiment of a bi-directional device 500 is
shown in FIGS. 9A-9B. In this embodiment, a first spool assembly
510 is constructed and is operational much like the first spool
assembly 310 of the bi-directional device 300 of FIGS. 4A-4B.
However, in this embodiment, the first spool assembly 510 is not
retained on an axle portion by retention teeth for displacing the
first spool when the release position of the axle is obtained. In
this embodiment, an abutting surface 529 (FIGS. 10A-10B) of the
second spool assembly 512 passes through the annular flange 540
(FIG. 9B) of the housing 536, abuts the first spool 514, and
displaces the locking component 592 (FIG. 9B) of the first spool
assembly 510 from the locking component 590 (FIG. 9A) when the axle
obtains the release position. Nonetheless, insofar as a pair of
flexible lines (not shown) is attached to the first spool 514,
operation of the bi-directional device 500 of FIGS. 9A-9B, with
regard to the first spool assembly 510, is essentially the same as
operation of the bi-directional device 200 of FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2D, and
2E.
[0105] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second driving
component 508 attached to the axle 502 is passable through the
annular flange 540 (FIG. 9B) and abuts the fourth driving component
522 (FIG. 10A) of the second spool assembly 512 when the axle
obtains the drive position. As shown in FIGS. 10A-10B, the fourth
driving component 522 and fourth locking component 610, having
different diameters, each separately couple to the second spool
520, and are each biased away from the second spool by one or more
springs (not shown). Insofar as a pair of flexible lines (not
shown) is attached to the second spool 520, operation of the
bi-directional device 500 of FIGS. 9A-9B, with regard to the second
spool assembly 510, is essentially the same as operation of the
bi-directional device 200 of FIGS. 2A, 2C, 2D, and 2E.
[0106] On the other hand, insofar as a single flexible line (not
shown) is attached to the first spool 514 and a single flexible
line is attached to the second spool 520, operation of the
bi-directional device 500 of FIGS. 9A-9B is essentially the same as
operation of the bi-directional device 100 of FIGS. 1A-1F.
[0107] While those embodiments of the invention described above
relate to bi-directional devices, yet other embodiments of the
invention relate to articles of protective apparel having
bi-directional devices. In particular, several embodiments of
protective helmets are described below.
[0108] In FIGS. 11A-11B, a helmet 1100 according to the invention
includes a shell 1102 for placement on and protection of the head
of a user, a first line 106 (FIG. 11A) extending from the shell, a
second line 108 (FIG. 11B) extending from the shell, and a
bi-directional device 100 (see also FIG. 1A) having a control
handle 104 that is rotatable about an axis 110 relative to the
device 100. When the control handle 104 is rotated in a first
rotational direction 112 about the axis 110, at least a portion of
the first line 106 (FIG. 11A) is drawn into the bi-directional
device thereby shortening the length of the first line extending
from the device.
[0109] Furthermore, when the control handle 104 is rotated in a
second rotational direction 114 about the axis 110, at least a
portion of the second line 108 (FIG. 11B) is drawn into the
bi-directional device thereby shortening the length of the second
line extending from the device. In this embodiment, the first line,
second line, and bi-directional device define an adjustable chin
strap for retaining the helmet on the head of the user. The chin
strap is capable of being tightened by the user by manual rotation
of the control handle.
[0110] Furthermore, the control handle 104 is positionable along
the axis 110 into a release position (FIGS. 1E-1F), whereby the
chin strap defined by the first line, second line, and
bi-directional device can be loosened.
[0111] In FIGS. 12A-12B, a helmet 1200 according to the invention
includes a shell 1202 for placement on and protection of the head
of a user, a first line 206a and a third line 206b (FIG. 12A)
extending from the shell, a second line 208a and a fourth line 208b
(FIG. 12B) extending from the shell, and a bi-directional device
200 (see also FIG. 2A-2E) having a control handle 204 that is
rotatable about an axis 210 relative to the device 200. When the
control handle 204 is rotated in a first rotational direction 212
about the axis 210, at least portions of the first line 206a and
third line 206b are drawn into the bi-directional device thereby
shortening the length of the first and third lines extending from
the device. In this embodiment, the first line and third line
define a left chin strap (FIG. 12A). The left chin strap is capable
of being tightened by the user by manual rotation of the control
handle in the first rotational direction.
[0112] Furthermore, when the control handle 204 is rotated in a
second rotational direction 214 about the axis 210, at least
portions of the second line 208a and fourth line 208b are drawn
into the bi-directional device thereby shortening the lengths of
the second and fourth lines extending from the device. In this
embodiment, the second line and fourth line define a right chin
strap (FIG. 12B). The right chin strap is capable of being
tightened by the user by manual rotation of the control handle in
the second rotational direction.
[0113] Furthermore, the control handle 204 is positionable along
the axis 210 into a release position (FIGS. 2D-2E), whereby the
left and right chin straps can be loosened.
[0114] In another embodiment of a helmet, not shown, the first and
third lines 206a,206b extend from the bi-directional device 200 and
pass forward of the left and right ears, respectively, as forward
straps. Also, the second and fourth lines 208a,208b extend from the
bi-directional device 200 and pass rearward of the left and right
ears, respectively, as rearward straps. In this embodiment,
rotation of the control handle in the first rotational direction
effects tightening of the first and third lines thereby adjusting
the forward placement of the helmet on the head of the user.
Similarly, rotation of the control handle in the second rotational
direction effects tightening of the second and fourth lines thereby
adjusting the aft placement of the helmet on the head of the user.
Furthermore, when the control handle is positioned at the release
position (FIGS. 2D-2E), forward and aft placement of the helmet are
loosened.
[0115] In FIG. 13, an adjustable helmet 1300 according to the
invention includes a first shell portion 1302a for placement on and
protection of a first portion of the cranium of a user, a second
shell portion 1302b for placement on and protection of a second
portion of the cranium of a user, a first line 1306 extending from
the shell first shell portion, a second line 1308 extending from
the second shell portion, and a bi-directional device 1310 having a
control handle 1312 that is rotatable about an axis 1314 relative
to the device 1310. When the control handle 1312 is rotated in a
first rotational direction 1316 about the axis 1314, at least a
portion of the first line 1306 is drawn into the bi-directional
device. When the control handle 1312 is rotated in a second
rotational direction 1318 about the axis 1314, at least a portion
of the second line 1308 is drawn into the bi-directional device.
The placement of the helmet 1300 about the head of the user is
thereby tightened about the head of the user.
[0116] In particular, the spaced relationship of the first and
second shell portions is adjustable by way of rotations of the
control handle. That is, the forward first shell portion 1302a and
the rearward second shell portion 1302b have adjustable relative
proximity. As the control handle is rotated in the first rotational
direction, the forward first shell portion 1302a is adjusted
rearward on the head of the user and toward the rearward second
shell portion 1302b. As the control handle is rotated in the second
rotational direction, the rearward second shell portion 1302b is
adjusted forward on the head of the user and toward the forward
shell portion 1302a.
[0117] The control handle 1312 is positionable along the axis into
a release position. When the control handle 1312 is positioned at
the release position, for example by the user pulling the handle
away from the bi-directional device 1310, the lines are loosened
and the spaced relationship of the shell portions is increased
thereby loosening the helmet about the head of the user.
[0118] In this embodiment, insofar as only two lines are adjustable
by the control handle, the bi-directional device is operated
essentially the same as the device 100 of FIG. 1A-1F. Insofar as
four lines are adjustable by the control handle, wherein two lines
pass about the left ear of the user as shown and two additional
lines pass about the right ear, the bi-directional device is
operated essentially the same as the device 200 of FIGS. 2A-2E.
* * * * *