U.S. patent application number 16/480873 was filed with the patent office on 2019-11-28 for chin protector cover.
This patent application is currently assigned to Xenith, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Xenith, LLC. Invention is credited to Kyle Lamson, David William Selby, Ryan Patrick Sullivan.
Application Number | 20190357619 16/480873 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63040106 |
Filed Date | 2019-11-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190357619 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lamson; Kyle ; et
al. |
November 28, 2019 |
Chin Protector Cover
Abstract
A cover includes a receiver having a concave-shaped inner
surface and a flap including a first side coupled to the receiver
and a second side including a fastener. The flap may be movable
relative to the receiver from an open position to a closed
position. The fastener may be configured to be coupled to the
receiver when the flap is in the closed position.
Inventors: |
Lamson; Kyle; (Chelmsford,
MA) ; Sullivan; Ryan Patrick; (Detroit, MI) ;
Selby; David William; (Wixom, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Xenith, LLC |
Detroit |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Xenith, LLC
Detroit
MI
|
Family ID: |
63040106 |
Appl. No.: |
16/480873 |
Filed: |
February 1, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
February 1, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US18/16354 |
371 Date: |
July 25, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62454168 |
Feb 3, 2017 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/0406 20130101;
A42B 3/08 20130101; A42B 3/326 20130101; A42B 3/328 20130101; A42B
3/205 20130101; A42B 3/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/04 20060101
A42B003/04; A42B 3/06 20060101 A42B003/06 |
Claims
1. A cover comprising: a receiver having a concave-shaped inner
surface; and a flap including a first side coupled to the receiver
and a second side including a fastener, the flap moveable relative
to the receiver from an open position to a closed position, wherein
the fastener is configured to be coupled to the receiver when the
flap is in the closed position.
2. The cover of claim 1, wherein the receiver includes a first
sidewall having a first edge, a second sidewall having a second
edge, and a central portion coupled to each of the first sidewall
and the second sidewall.
3. The cover of claim 2, wherein the flap is adjacent the first
edge and the second edge and is spaced from the central portion
when the flap is in the closed position.
4. The cover of claim 2, wherein the first sidewall includes an end
having an end height and a center having a center height, wherein
the center height is greater than the end height.
5. The cover of claim 2, wherein the second sidewall and the
fastener have substantially the same shape.
6. The cover of claim 2, wherein the second sidewall is configured
to couple to the fastener.
7. The cover of claim 6, wherein at least one of the fastener and
the second sidewall include a plurality of hooks and the other of
the fastener and the second sidewall include a plurality of loops
configured to engage the hooks.
8. The cover of claim 2, wherein the flap is configured to fold
over the second edge such that the fastener is adjacent the second
sidewall.
9. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured to receive
a chin protector.
10. The cover of claim 9, wherein an inside surface of the receiver
is shaped to correspond to an outside surface of the chin
protector.
11. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured to
receive a chin protector coupled to a helmet.
12. The cover of claim 9, wherein the fastener is spaced downwardly
from a user's face when the user's chin is within the chin
protector.
13. The cover of claim 1, further comprising piping on at least a
portion of a perimeter of the cover.
14. The cover of claim 1, wherein the receiver is comprised at
least partially of neoprene.
15. The cover of claim 1, wherein the flap is comprised of an
elastomeric material.
16. The cover of claim 1, wherein the flap is perforated.
17. The cover of claim 1, wherein the fastener is crescent
shaped.
18. The cover of claim 1, wherein the flap is generally planar in
the closed position.
19. The cover of claim 1, wherein the fastener is generally
perpendicular to a portion of the flap extending across the
receiver in the closed position.
20. A method of covering a chin protector, comprising: obtaining a
cover including a receiver having a concave-shaped inner surface
and a flap having a first side coupled to the receiver and a second
side including a fastener; positioning the concave inner surface of
the cover adjacent a convex outer surface of the chin protector;
and folding the flap over the chin protector such that the fastener
is coupled to the receiver.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the chin protector includes a
first edge, a second edge, and a central portion, and wherein the
folding step includes folding the flap over the chin protector such
that the flap is adjacent the first edge and the second edge and is
spaced from the central portion of the chin protector.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising placing a user's
chin within the chin protector such that the flap stretches to
contact the central portion of the chin protector.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the second side of the flap is
spaced from a user's face when the user's chin is within the chin
protector.
24. The method of claim 20, wherein the chin protector is coupled
to a helmet prior to the positioning step.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising uncoupling the
fastener from the receiver and removing the cover from the chin
protector while the chin protector is coupled to the helmet.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/454,168 filed Feb. 3, 2017 entitled "Chin
Protector Cover", which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a cover and, more
particularly, to a cover for a helmet retention strap chin
protector.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In one embodiment there is a cover comprising a receiver
having a concave-shaped inner surface and a flap including a first
side coupled to the receiver and a second side including a
fastener. The flap may be moveable relative to the receiver from an
open position to a closed position. The fastener may be configured
to be coupled to the receiver when the flap is in the closed
position. The receiver may include a first sidewall having a first
edge, a second sidewall having a second edge, and a central portion
coupled to each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The
flap may be adjacent the first edge and the second edge and may be
spaced from the central portion when the flap is in the closed
position. The first sidewall may include an end having an end
height and a center having a center height. The center height may
be greater than the end height. The second sidewall and the
fastener may have substantially the same shape. The second sidewall
may be configured to couple to the fastener. At least one of the
fastener and the second sidewall may include a plurality of hooks
and the other of the fastener and the second sidewall include a
plurality of loops configured to engage the hooks. The flap may be
configured to fold over the second edge such that the fastener is
adjacent the second sidewall. The cover may be configured to
receive a chin protector. The cover may be configured to receive a
chin protector coupled to a helmet. An inside surface of the
receiver may be shaped to correspond to an outside surface of a
chin protector. The fastener may be spaced downwardly from a user's
face when the user's chin is within the chin protector.
[0004] In a further embodiment, the cover may include piping on at
least a portion of a perimeter of the cover. The receiver may be
comprised at least partially of neoprene. The flap may be comprised
of an elastomeric material. The flap may be perforated. The
fastener may be crescent shaped. The flap may be generally planar
in the closed position. The fastener may be generally perpendicular
to the portion of the flap extending across the receiver in the
closed position.
[0005] In one embodiment, there is a method of covering a chin
protector comprising obtaining a cover including a receiver having
a concave-shaped inner surface and a flap having a first side
coupled to the receiver and a second side including a fastener. The
method may include positioning the concave inner surface of the
cover adjacent a convex outer surface of the chin protector and
folding the flap over the chin protector such that the fastener is
coupled to the receiver. The chin protector may include a first
edge, a second edge, and a central portion, and the folding step
may include folding the flap over the chin protector such that the
flap is adjacent the first edge and the second edge and is spaced
from the central portion of the chin protector.
[0006] In a further embodiment, the method may include placing a
user's chin within the chin protector such that the flap stretches
to contact the central portion of the chin protector. The second
side of the flap is spaced from a user's face when the user's chin
is within the chin protector. The chin protector may be coupled to
a helmet prior to the positioning step. In a further embodiment,
the method includes uncoupling the fastener from the receiver and
removing the cover from the chin protector while the chin protector
is coupled to the helmet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of embodiments of the chin protector cover, will be
better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings of an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood,
however, that the invention is not limited to the precise
arrangements and instrumentalities shown. For example, although not
expressly stated herein, features of one or more various disclosed
embodiments may be incorporated into other of the disclosed
embodiments.
[0008] In the drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top, front perspective view of a cover in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the cover of FIG.
1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the cover of FIG.
1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the cover of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of the cover of FIG.
1;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a top, front perspective view of the cover of FIG.
1 with a flap in an open position;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a rear, bottom perspective view of the cover of
FIG. 1 with the flap in an open position;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the cover of FIG. 1 with the
flap in an open position;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the cover of FIG. 1
coupled to a chin protector;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the cover of FIG. 1
coupled to a chin protector;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the cover of FIG. 1
coupled to a chin protector;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of the cover of FIG. 1 with
a user's chin within a chin protector;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a top, front perspective view of two covers of
alternating color schemes in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 14 is a flow chart of one method of using a cover in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Chin protectors may be coupled to retention straps of a
helmet or hat and help secure the helmet or hat on a user's head
and provide padding to the user's chin. The user's chin sits inside
a concave side of the chin protector. Chin protectors can be
difficult or time consuming to remove from the retention straps and
therefore are difficult to keep clean. Detaching the chin protector
from the retention straps and/or detaching the retention straps
from the helmet increases the risk that a user fails to properly
reattach the components and potentially leading to injury. To avoid
adsorbing sweat and dirt, chin protectors are often made of plastic
that can be irritating to the user's skin. Chin protectors coupled
to a helmet are primarily designed for safety and thus aesthetics
of the chin protector itself may only be a secondary consideration.
Sleeve covers have been used to provide extra padding and moisture
absorption and help keep the chin protector clean. However, such
chin protector covers require the user to slide the cover over the
chin protector when the protector or retention straps are detached
from the helmet. It may not be feasible to remove the chin
protector to put on the cover when the chin protector is
permanently fixed to the retention straps.
[0024] Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference
numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown a cover,
generally designated 10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention. In some embodiments, the cover 10
provides a washable pad and desired appearance without having to
detach the chin protector and/or retention straps.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 9, in one embodiment, the cover 10 is
configured to receive a chin cup or protector 54 (e.g., a chin
protector coupled to a helmet or hat). The cover 10 may be moveable
between an open configuration (see FIG. 6) and a closed
configuration (see FIG. 1) such that the cover 10 may receive a
chin protector while the chin protector is coupled to a helmet 56.
In one embodiment the helmet 56 is a football helmet. In other
embodiments, the helmet 56 is a helmet for use with a bicycle,
motorcycle, hockey, football, lacrosse, skiing, military, or law
enforcement. One helmet and chin protector system in which the
cover 10 may be utilized with is described in U.S. Pat. No.
7,950,073, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
reference herein. In other embodiments, the cover 10 is configured
to receive a knee protector, elbow protector, or other device that
has a bend or concave shape. The cover 10 may be configured to be
coupled and decoupled to a chin protector 54 while the chin
protector 54 remains coupled to the helmet 56.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the cover 10
includes a receiving portion or receiver 12. The receiver 12 may be
configured to receive a chin protector. The receiver 12 may have a
concave-shaped inner surface 14 (inner surface best seen in FIG.
7). The receiver 12 may be cup shaped. The inner surface 14 of the
receiver 12 may be shaped to correspond to an outside surface 17 of
a chin protector. The concavity of the inner surface 14 may be
selected based on the shape of the chin protector which the cover
10 will be coupled to. The receiver 12 may be manufactured from a
material selected from one or more of neoprene, rubber, polyester,
and an elastomer. In one embodiment, the receiver is comprised of
an absorbent material. In one embodiment, the receiver 12 is
primarily comprised of neoprene. The material selected for the
receiver 12 may include anti-microbial properties. The receiver 12
may be manufactured from an elastic material such that receiver 12
can stretch to adapt to the outer surface shape of any chin
protector, knee protector, elbow protector, etc.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the receiver 12 may include a
first sidewall 16 having a first edge 18. The receiver 12 may
include a second sidewall 20 having a second edge 22 (FIG. 7). The
first edge 18 and second edge 22 may have a similar shape. The
first edge 18 may be coupled to another portion of the receiver 12
and the second edge 22 may be a free end when the cover 10 is in
the open configuration. The shape of the second edge 22 may be
defined by an arcuate portion of a circle having a radius of about
1 inch to about 6 inches, about 2 inches to about 5 inches, about 3
inches to about 4 inches, about 1 inch, about 2 inches, about 3
inches, about 4 inches, about 5 inches, or about 6 inches. The
second edge 22 may have an arcuate shape to conform to the contour
of an edge 60 of a chin protector 54 (e.g., the chin protector of
FIGS. 9-10).
[0028] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the receiver 12 may
include a central portion 24 coupled to each of the first sidewall
16 and the second sidewall 20. In one embodiment, the central
portion 24 is coupled to the first sidewall 16 and second sidewall
20 by stitching. In one embodiment, the central portion 24 is
coupled to the first sidewall 16 and second sidewall 20 by
adhesive, welding, or anchors. The central portion 24 may be
substantially perpendicular to at least one of the first sidewall
16 and the second sidewall 20 when the cover 10 is in the closed
position. The central portion 24 may have a surface area of about
10% to about 100%, about 20% to about 90%, about 30% to about 80%,
about 40% to about 70%, about 50% to about 60%, about 10%, about
20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about
80%, about 90%, about 100%, about 110%, about 120%, about 130%,
about 140%, or about 150% of the surface area of one of the first
sidewall 16 and the second sidewall 20. The central portion 24 may
be coupled to the first sidewall 16 at a first seam 38. The first
sidewall 16 and second sidewall 20 may have substantially (e.g.,
within 10%) the same size, shape, thickness, and/or volume. The
first sidewall 16 and second sidewall 20 may have a different size,
shape, thickness, and/or volume from one another. In one
embodiment, one or more of the first sidewall 16, the second
sidewall 20, and the central portion 24 are a unitary construct.
The central portion 24 may comprise a single layer of material. The
central portion 24 may comprise a first layer and a second layer
and the first and second layers may be different materials.
[0029] In one embodiment, the central portion 24 includes indicia
25. The indicia 25 may include one or more of an image such as a
team logo, word or phrase such as a team name, number such as a
player's jersey number, and picture. The indicia 25 may be a
different color than the central portion 24. The indicia 25 may be
a different material than the central portion 24. In one
embodiment, the indicia 25 is stitched into the central portion 24.
In other embodiments, the indicia 25 is printed or otherwise
affixed to the outer surface of the central portion 24. The central
portion 24 may include a first arcuate portion of a circle 13 (FIG.
4) having a first radius. The central portion 24 may include a
second arcuate portion of a circle 15 (FIG. 5) having a second
radius. A ratio of the first radius to the second radius may be
about 5:1, about 4:1, about 3:1, about 2:1, about 1:1, about 1:2,
about 1:3, about 1:4, or about 1:5. The first radius may be greater
than the second radius. The second radius may be greater than the
first radius. The central portion 24 may have, at least partially,
a contour of a torus.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, the first sidewall 16 may include a
first end 26, a center 28, and a second end 30. The first end 26
may include a first end height 32 measured between the first seam
38 and the first edge 18. The center 28 may include a center height
34 measured between the first seam 38 and the first edge 18. The
second end 30 may include a second end height 36 measured between
the first seam 38 and the first edge 18. The center height 34 may
be greater than the first end height 32. The center height 34 may
be greater than the second end height 36. A ratio of the center
height 34 to the first end height 32 may be about 1:1, about 3:2,
about 2:1, about 5:2, about 3:1, about 4:1, or about 5:1. A ratio
of the first end height 32 to the second end height 36 may be from
about 1:2 to about 2:1. The first end height 32 may be equal to the
second end height 36.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, in one embodiment, the cover 10
includes a flap 40 configured to be moveable with respect to the
receiver 12 from an open position (FIG. 6) to a closed position
(FIG. 1). The flap 40 may rotate about the first edge 18 with
respect to the receiver 12 to move between the open and closed
positions. The flap 40 may include a first side 42 and a second
side 44. The first side 42 may be fixed to the receiver 12. The
first side 42 may be coupled to the first edge 18. The second side
44 may be a free end when the flap is in the open position. The
flap 40 may be adjacent the first edge 18 and the second edge 22 of
the receiver 12 when the flap 40 is in the closed position. The
flap 40 may be spaced from the central portion 24 of the receiver
when the flap is in the closed position (best seen in FIG. 5). In
one embodiment, the flap 40 is perforated. A perforated flap 40 may
improve user comfort by providing better ventilation when the cover
10 is in contact with a user's chin as compared to a non-perforated
flap. The flap 40 may be at least partially comprised of neoprene
such as along the perimeter. The flap 40 may primarily be comprised
of an elastomeric material such as neoprene, elastic, or elastane.
In one embodiment, the flap 40 is configured to stretch across the
chin protector when the flap is in the closed position or is at
least pulled taut in a generally flat plan across the concaved chin
protector as discussed further below (see FIG. 11). Piping 52 may
extend around at least a portion of a perimeter of the cover 10
including the flap 40. The piping 52 may reinforce the perimeter of
the cover 10. The piping 52 may be comprised of neoprene.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 7, the second side 44 of the flap 40 may
include a fastener 46. The fastener 46 may be configured to engage
the second sidewall 20 to at least temporarily secure the flap 40
to the receiver 12 when the flap 40 is in the closed position. The
fastener 46 may be configured to detachably engage the receiver 12
such that the flap 40 may be repeatedly coupled to and de-coupled
from the receiver 12. The fastener 46 may be configured to
permanently couple to the receiver 12 when the flap 40 is in the
closed position. The fastener 46 may be configured to engage a
receiver fastener 48 on the receiver 12. The receiver fastener 48
may be coupled to the second sidewall 20 via stitching and/or
adhesive. The fastener 46 may cover about 10% to about 75%, about
15% to about 65%, about 20% to about 50%, about 25% to about 40%,
or about 30% to about 40% of the inner surface of the flap 40. The
fastener 46 may include at least one of a hook and loop connector
(e.g., VELCRO.RTM. brand hook and loop fastener) and be configured
to engage the other of the hook and loop connector on the second
sidewall 20. In one embodiment, at least one of the fastener 46 and
the second sidewall 20 include a plurality of hooks and the other
of the fastener and the second sidewall include a plurality of
loops configured to engage the hooks. The fastener 46 may be one or
more of a snap, button, adhesive, or zipper. The fastener 46 and
the second sidewall 20 may have substantially the same shape. The
fastener 46 and the receiver fastener 48 may have substantially the
same shape. The receiver fastener 48 and the second sidewall 20 may
have substantially the same shape. The receiver fastener 48 may
cover about 50% to about 100%, about 60% to about 95%, about 70% to
about 90%, or about 80% to about 85% of an outer surface of the
second sidewall 20 when the flap 40 is in the closed position.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, the flap 40 may be configured to
fold over the second edge 22 of the second sidewall 20 such that
the fastener 46 is adjacent the second sidewall 20 when the flap 40
is in the closed position. The flap 40 may be resiliently stretched
when the flap 40 extends toward the second sidewall 20. The
receiver 12 may maintain its shape while the flap 40 resiliently
stretches toward the second sidewall 20. The fastener 46 may be
crescent shaped. The fastener 46 may have an inner border 50 having
a shape of an arcuate portion of a circle having a radius of about
1 inch to about 6 inches, about 2 inches to about 5 inches, about 3
inches to about 4 inches, about 1 inch, about 2 inches, about 3
inches, about 4 inches, about 5 inches, or about 6 inches. The
inner border 50 may be similarly shaped to the second edge 22. The
inner border 50 may have the same shape as the second edge 22 such
that when the flap is folded over the second edge 22, the fastener
46 is adjacent the second sidewall 20 and the fastener 46 does not
extend above an edge 60 of the chin protector 54 (FIG. 11). The
chin protector 54 may include a shell 55 with padding 57 lining the
shell 55. The padding 57 may be positioned between a portion of the
shell 55 and the cover 10 when the cover 10 is coupled to the chin
protector 54. In one embodiment, the second edge 22 is adjacent an
end of the shell 55 when the cover 10 is coupled to the chin
protector 54. In another embodiment, the second edge 22 is adjacent
the edge 60 which may be defined by the padding 57. In one
embodiment, the flap 40 is folded over the second edge 22 such that
the fastener 46 is spaced downwardly from a user's face when the
user's chin is within the chin protector.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 11, the fastener 46 on the second
end 44 of the flap 40 may be generally perpendicular to the portion
of the flap 40 extending across the receiver 12 when the flap 40 is
in the closed position. The flap 40 may be generally planar when
the flap is in the closed position. In one embodiment, by having
the fastener 46 may be generally perpendicular to the remainder of
the flap 40, movement or force on the flap 40 has little to no
impact on the retention of the fastener 46. The flap 40 may be
spaced from a central portion 62 of the chin protector 54 when the
flap is in the closed position. One or more ends 41 of the cover 10
may be open when the flap 40 is in the closed position. An end 43
of the flap 40 may be spaced from an end 45 of the receiver 12 when
the flap 40 is in the closed position. The flap 40 may be
elastomeric such that the flap may be resiliently moved toward and
away from the central portion 62 of the chin protector 54 while the
fastener 46 is coupled to the receiver fastener 48 such that the
flap 40 is held against the skin of the user and acts as a cushion
during any relative movement of the chin protector 54 relative to
the user's chin. The flap 40 may contact the central portion 62 of
the chin protector 54 when a user's chin is within the chin
protector (FIG. 12).
[0035] The cover 10 may be provided separately or as part of a kit
with two or more covers. The kit may include covers having
different appearances from one another such as different color
schemes and/or indicia. Turning to FIG. 13, the kit may include a
first cover 64 having a first color scheme and a second cover 66
having a second color scheme. The kit may include one or more first
covers 64 and/or one or more second covers 66. The kit may include
more than any number of covers with any number of appearances. In
one embodiment, the color of the receiver 12 of the first cover 64
is different than the color of the receiver 12 of the second cover
66. In other embodiments, the color of any element (e.g., piping,
flap, or fastener) of the first cover 64 is different from the
color of that element on the second cover 66. In some embodiments,
having two or more color schemes and/or indicia is useful in
identifying whether a team is playing at a home field or an away
field or for supporting a specific cause (e.g., breast cancer
awareness). Having a plurality of different covers 10 is
facilitated due to the configuration of the cover that allows it to
be quickly and easily donned and doffed from the chin
protector.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 14, a method of covering a chin protector
may include obtaining the cover 10 and positioning the inner
surface 14 of the cover adjacent an outer surface of a chin
protector 54. The method may include moving the flap 40 from the
closed position to the open position prior to positioning the inner
surface 14 adjacent the chin protector 54. The method may include
manipulating (e.g., folding, sliding, rotating) the flap 40 over
the edge 60 of the chin protector 54 such that the fastener 46 is
coupled to the receiver 12. The method may include folding the flap
40 over a second edge 22 of the second sidewall 20 such that the
fastener 46 is at least temporarily coupled to the receiver
fastener 48. The manipulating step may include folding the flap 40
over the chin protector such that the flap is adjacent the first
edge 18 and the second edge 22 and is spaced from the central
portion 62 of the chin protector. The fastener 46 may be
simultaneously coupled to the receiver 12 (e.g., the receiver
fastener 48) as the flap 40 is folded over the second sidewall 20.
In one embodiment, the fastener 46 is coupled to the receiver after
the flap 40 is folded over the second sidewall 20.
[0037] The method may include placing a user's chin within the chin
protector 54 such that the flap 40 stretches to contact the central
portion 62 of the chin protector 54. The method may include
removing a user's chin from the chin protector 54 such that the
flap 40 is spaced from the central portion 62 of the chin protector
54. The chin protector 54 may be coupled to a helmet 56 by a
connector 58. The connector 58 of the chin protector 54 may be
coupled to the helmet 56 prior to positioning the cover 10 on the
chin protector 54. The method may further include uncoupling the
fastener 46 from the receiver 12 and removing the cover 10 from the
chin protector 54 while the chin protector 54 is coupled to the
helmet 56. The method may further include coupling a second cover
66 to the chin protector 54. The second cover 66 may have a
different appearance than cover 10 (FIG. 13).
[0038] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes could be made to the exemplary embodiments shown and
described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts
thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not
limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described, but it is
intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the
present invention as defined by the claims. For example, specific
features of the exemplary embodiments may or may not be part of the
claimed invention and various features of the disclosed embodiments
may be combined. The words "right", "left", "lower" and "upper"
designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made.
The words "inwardly" and "outwardly" refer to directions toward and
away from, respectively, the geometric center of the cover. Unless
specifically set forth herein, the terms "a", "an" and "the" are
not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning
"at least one".
[0039] It is to be understood that at least some of the figures and
descriptions of the invention have been simplified to focus on
elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the
invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other
elements that those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
may also comprise a portion of the invention. However, because such
elements are well known in the art, and because they do not
necessarily facilitate a better understanding of the invention, a
description of such elements is not provided herein.
[0040] Further, to the extent that the methods of the present
invention do not rely on the particular order of steps set forth
herein, the particular order of the steps should not be construed
as limitation on the claims. Any claims directed to the methods of
the present invention should not be limited to the performance of
their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can
readily appreciate that the steps may be varied and still remain
within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *