U.S. patent application number 14/258904 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-30 for tactical helmet system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Alexander Mejia. Invention is credited to Alexander Christopher Mejia, JR..
Application Number | 20140317835 14/258904 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51787950 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140317835 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mejia, JR.; Alexander
Christopher |
October 30, 2014 |
Tactical Helmet System
Abstract
A tactical helmet system for covering at least a portion of a
head of a user is provided. The tactical helmet system comprises a
helmet having a first side and a second side and a facemask
releasably securable to the helmet. An adjustment strap having a
first end and a second end is provided with both the first end and
the second end secured to the facemask. The adjustment strap is
extendable about the head of the user and adjustable for a snug fit
against the head of the user.
Inventors: |
Mejia, JR.; Alexander
Christopher; (Menifee, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mejia; Alexander |
Menifee |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51787950 |
Appl. No.: |
14/258904 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61815312 |
Apr 24, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/424 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/18 20060101
A42B003/18 |
Claims
1. A tactical helmet system for covering at least a portion of a
head of a user, the tactical helmet system comprising: a helmet
having a first side and a second side; a facemask releasably
secured to the helmet; and an adjustment strap having a first end
and a second end, both the first end and the second end secured to
the facemask; wherein the adjustment strap is extendable about the
head of the user and adjustable for a snug fit against the head of
the user.
2. The tactical helmet system of claim 1 and further comprising: a
first adjustable strap positioned on the first side of the helmet
and secured between the helmet and the facemask; and a second
adjustable strap positioned on the second side of the helmet and
secured between the helmet and the facemask.
3. The tactical helmet system of claim 2 wherein the first
adjustable strap has a first portion secured to the first side of
the helmet and a second portion secured to the facemask, and
further wherein the first portion is releasably secured to the
second portion with a buckle.
4. The tactical helmet system of claim 2 wherein the second
adjustable strap has a first portion secured to the second side of
the helmet and a second portion secured to the facemask, and
further wherein the first portion is releasably secured to the
second portion with a buckle.
5. The tactical helmet system of claim 2 wherein the first
adjustable strap has a first portion secured to the first side of
the helmet and a second portion secured to the facemask, and
further wherein the first portion is releasably secured to the
second portion with a buckle, and wherein the second adjustable
strap has a first portion secured to the second side of the helmet
and a second portion secured to the facemask, and further wherein
the first portion is releasably secured to the second portion with
a buckle.
6. The tactical helmet system of claim 2 wherein the first
adjustable strap and the second adjustable strap is constructed
from a nylon webbing.
7. The tactical helmet system of claim 2 and further comprising: a
first aperture formed in the first side of the helmet, the first
adjustable strap secured to the first aperture by a first anchor;
and a second aperture formed in the second side of the helmet, the
second adjustable strap secured to the second aperture by a second
anchor.
8. The tactical helmet system of claim 1 where in the adjustment
strap has a first adjustment strap portion and a second adjustment
strap portion, the first adjustment strap portion releasably
securable to the second adjustment strap portion by a hook and loop
fastening system.
9. The tactical helmet system of claim 8 wherein the adjustment
strap is constructed of an elastic material.
10. The tactical helmet system of claim 1 and further comprising:
an elastic adjustment strap secured to the facemask having with
female side-release buckles at either end; wherein the elastic
adjustment strap connects to the facemask male buckles and passes
over the user's head.
11. A tactical helmet system for covering at least a portion of a
head of a user, the tactical helmet system comprising: a helmet
having a first side and a second side; a facemask; a first aperture
formed in the first side of the helmet; a second aperture formed in
the second side of the helmet; a first adjustable strap having a
first portion and a second portion, the first portion secured to
the first aperture by a first anchor, the second portion secured to
the facemask; a second adjustable strap having a first portion and
a second portion, the first portion secured to the second aperture
by a second anchor, the second portion secured to the facemask; a
first buckle releasably connecting the first portion and the second
portion of the first adjustable strap together; a second buckle
releasably connecting the first portion and the second portion of
the second adjustable strap together; and a facemask adjustment
strap having a first end and a second end, both the first end and
the second end secured to the facemask; wherein the adjustment
strap is adjustably extendable about the head of the user and
manipulatable against the head of the user for a snug fit.
12. The tactical helmet system of claim 11 wherein the first
adjustable strap and the second adjustable strap is constructed
from a nylon webbing.
13. The tactical helmet system of claim 11 wherein the adjustment
strap has a first adjustment strap portion and a second adjustment
strap portion, the first adjustment strap portion releasably
securable to the second adjustment strap portion by a hook and loop
fastening system.
14. The tactical helmet system of claim 11 and further comprising:
an elastic adjustment strap secured to the facemask having with
female side-release buckles at either end; wherein the elastic
adjustment strap connects to the facemask male buckles and passes
over the user's head.
15. A method for covering at least a portion of a head of a user,
the method comprising: providing a helmet having a first side and a
second side; providing a facemask; forming a first aperture in the
first side of the helmet; forming a second aperture in the second
side of the helmet; providing a first adjustable strap having a
first portion and a second portion; securing the first portion of
the first adjustable strap to the first aperture by a first anchor;
securing the second portion of the first adjustable strap to the
facemask; providing a second adjustable strap having a first
portion and a second portion; securing the first portion of the
second adjustable strap to the second aperture by a second anchor;
securing the second portion of the second adjustable strap to the
facemask; releasably connecting the first portion to the second
portion of the first adjustable strap together with a first buckle;
releasably connecting the first portion and the second portion of
the second adjustable strap together with a second buckle;
providing a facemask adjustment strap having a first end and a
second end; securing both the first end and the second end to the
facemask; adjustably extending the adjustment strap about the head
of the user; and manipulating the adjustment strap against the head
of the user for a snug fit.
16. The method of claim 15 and further comprising: constructing the
first adjustable strap and the second adjustable strap from a nylon
webbing.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the adjustment strap has a first
adjustment strap portion and a second adjustment strap portion, and
further comprising: releasably securing the first adjustment strap
portion to the second adjustment strap portion by a hook and loop
fastening system.
18. The method of claim 15 and further comprising: securing an
elastic adjustment strap to the facemask having with female
side-release buckles at either end; and connecting the elastic
adjustment strap to the facemask with male buckles and passes over
the user's head.
Description
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority of
pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/815,312, filed
on Apr. 24, 2013, entitled "Tactical Helmet System".
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to a tactical helmet system
and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a tactical
helmet system presenting airsoft, paintball, and training
facilities with a complete, form-fitting, easily adjustable
headgear package.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Airsoft is a competitive tactical game, similar to
paintball, in which participants shoot round non-metallic pellets
launched via replica firearms. Gameplay can feature short-term
skirmishes, military simulations, historical reenactments, and
target shooting events. Airsoft competitors typically emulate the
tactical equipment and accessories used by modern military and
police organizations. As in paintball, the pellets shot from
airsoft guns travel at high velocity, and can do damage to
unprotected areas of the eyes, face, and head so airsoft
competitors require a helmet, protective goggles, and a lower
facemask. The problem, up until now, has been that the various
components of this headgear have not been joined into a coherent
system that fastens easily and securely, and operates comfortably
in the field.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention is a tactical helmet system for
covering at least a portion of a head of a user. The tactical
helmet system comprises a helmet having a first side and a second
side and a facemask releasably securable to the helmet. An
adjustment strap having a first end and a second end is provided
with both the first end and the second end secured to the facemask.
The adjustment strap is extendable about the head of the user and
adjustable for a snug fit against the head of the user.
[0007] In addition, the present invention includes a tactical
helmet system for covering at least a portion of a head of a user.
The tactical helmet system comprises a helmet having a first side
and a second side and a facemask. A first aperture is formed in the
first side of the helmet and a second aperture formed in the second
side of the helmet. A first adjustable strap having a first portion
and a second portion is provided with the first portion secured to
the first aperture by a first anchor and the second portion secured
to the facemask. A second adjustable strap having a first portion
and a second portion is provided. The first portion secured to the
second aperture by a second anchor, the second portion secured to
the facemask. A first buckle releasably connects the first portion
and the second portion of the first adjustable strap together. A
second buckle releasably connects the first portion and the second
portion of the second adjustable strap together. A facemask
adjustment strap having a first end and a second end is provided
with both the first end and the second end secured to the facemask.
The adjustment strap is adjustably extendable about the head of the
user and manipulatable against the head of the user for a snug
fit.
[0008] The present invention further includes a method for covering
at least a portion of a head of a user. The method comprises
providing a helmet having a first side and a second side, providing
a facemask, forming a first aperture in the first side of the
helmet, forming a second aperture in the second side of the helmet,
providing a first adjustable strap having a first portion and a
second portion, securing the first portion of the first adjustable
strap to the first aperture by a first anchor, securing the second
portion of the first adjustable strap to the facemask, providing a
second adjustable strap having a first portion and a second
portion, securing the first portion of the second adjustable strap
to the second aperture by a second anchor, securing the second
portion of the second adjustable strap to the facemask, releasably
connecting the first portion to the second portion of the first
adjustable strap together with a first buckle, releasably
connecting the first portion and the second portion of the second
adjustable strap together with a second buckle, providing a
facemask adjustment strap having a first end and a second end,
securing both the first end and the second end to the facemask,
adjustably extending the adjustment strap about the head of the
user, and manipulating the adjustment strap against the head of the
user for a snug fit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective views illustrating a
tactical helmet system, constructed in accordance with the present
invention, with a facemask detached from a helmet;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an elevational front view illustrating the
facemask of the tactical helmet system, constructed in accordance
with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the facemask of
the tactical helmet system, constructed in accordance with the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the tactical
helmet system, constructed in accordance with the present
invention, with the facemask releasably secured to the helmet;
and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the helmet of the
tactical helmet system, constructed in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the present invention is a
tactical helmet system, indicated generally at 10, presenting
airsoft competitors with a complete, form-fitting, easily
adjustable headgear package. The tactical helmet system 10 of the
present invention is a tactical, military-inspired Kevlar.RTM.
helmet 12 and separate, metal mesh-style facemask 14 designed to
fasten firmly and comfortably together through a unique system of
adjustable buckles and straps. The tactical helmet system 10 more
effectively links and joins already existing, pre-manufactured
components into a single, better-fitting and more efficient set of
integrated protective headgear for the rough-and-tumble of the
airsoft battlefield. The fastening system of the tactical helmet
system 10 of the present invention is needed because at present,
the helmets 12 used in airsoft fasten only by a chin-strap 16; and
the facemasks 14 fasten separately by straps that go around the
back of the neck. Being two separate, unlinked components, the
helmet 12 and the facemask 14 often interfere with one another, and
make for an uncomfortable, inefficient combination. The tactical
helmet system 10 of the present invention consists of a series of
strategically positioned tensioning straps 18, fabricated in nylon
webbing, and a system of side-release or squeeze-release nylon
buckles 20 designed to join the helmet 12 and the facemask 14 into
a unit. The helmet 12 is modified by a pair of 1/4-inch holes
drilled in the mid-parietal section on either side of the helmet
12, and these holes accommodate a pair of countersunk screws,
1/2''-20.times.3/4'', that serve as anchors for the interior
fastening of two adjustable tensioning straps 18 and two female,
receiving buckles 20. The straps 18 and the buckles 20 are anchored
to the interior of the helmet 12, and their anchorage is covered by
the helmet's internal cushioning liner. The strap 18 and the buckle
20 descend from the interior of the helmet 12 on either side, and
when not in use to secure the lower facemask 14, can be pulled
upward on the outside of the helmets 12 and stowed within an
elastic loop. (The loop itself is finished with VELCRO.RTM. and can
be laid flat when not in use.) The lower facemask 14, in the
central upper regions which cover the upper cheeks and ears, is
fitted with a pair of snap-closure straps and a metal bracket which
accommodates the descending tensioning strap from the helmet 12, as
well as a pair of male side-release buckles 20 that mate with the
female buckles 20 of the helmet 12. The straps 18 and the buckles
20 secure the facemask 14 firmly, adjustably and comfortably to the
helmet 12. Additionally, the facemask 14 is fitted with an
additional set of male side-release buckles at the lower rear on
either side; and an adjustable, elastic, VELCRO.RTM.-fastening
strap 22 with a female buckle on either end secures the rear of the
lower facemask 14, passing around the back of the wearer's neck.
Further, the tag ends of the helmet-facemask tensioning straps are
finished with mating VELCRO.RTM. patches, and these crisscross
behind the wearer's neck to fasten in a secure, comfortable, and
unobstructive manner. The outfit also includes a second
VELCRO.RTM.-adjustable, elastic strap fitted with female
side-release buckles at either end; and this strap may be used in
the absence of the helmet 12 to secure the facemask 14, the strap
connecting with the male buckles of the upper facemask 14 and
passing over the wearer's head. The manner of use of the tactical
helmet system 10 of the present invention will now be described. It
will be understood by those skilled in the art that the manner of
use of the tactical helmet system 10 described herein is merely one
method of use and other methods of use of the tactical helmet
system 10 are within the scope of the present invention.
[0015] The tactical helmet system 10 of the present invention has
four pairs of clips 20 and four pairs of adjustment straps 18. With
the helmet 12 on, the two clips 20 protrude one on each side of the
helmet 12; the two male ends of the upper portion of the lower
facemask 14 are connected to the adjustment system. The adjustment
of the lower facemask 14 to the helmet 12 is done by pulling down
on both adjustment straps 18 one on each side of the helmet 12
until the desired fit is attained. The lower facemask rear elastic
and Velcro strap 22 is then connected and adjusted so the facemask
14 fits firm, yet comfortable against the user's face.
[0016] The tactical helmet system 10 of the present invention
unifies the separate components of the headgear required for safety
in the sport of airsoft. In the absence of such a system, the
helmet 12 and facemask 14, i.e., being fastened separately to the
wearer, and not to each other, become bulky impediments, and
interfere with one another rather than working smoothly and
seamlessly together. The adjustable fasteners correct this
deficiency, and mold the helmet 12 and facemask 14 into a
protective unit that the combatant will not have to fuss with or
think about in the heat of battle.
[0017] The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative
preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained
in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications
and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has
been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood
by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and
detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit
and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present
invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded
by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein may
be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which
are disclosed herein.
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