U.S. patent application number 17/523689 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-03 for protective sports helmet.
The applicant listed for this patent is Riddell, Inc.. Invention is credited to Vittorio Bologna, Thad M. Ide, Ralph Infusino, Nelson Kraemer, Chris Withnall, Michael Wonnacott.
Application Number | 20220061448 17/523689 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220061448 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Withnall; Chris ; et
al. |
March 3, 2022 |
PROTECTIVE SPORTS HELMET
Abstract
A protective sports helmet that includes an energy attenuating
faceguard connection system, which includes at least one connector
that secures the faceguard to the helmet shell without a connection
point in the shell's brow region. The lack of a brow region
connection point results in a gap or clearance between the
faceguard and the shell that has a functional interplay with the
connector upon an impact to the faceguard. In general terms, when a
substantially on-center impact to the faceguard occurs, the
faceguard is displaced towards the shell and the connector bracket
flexes outward relative to the helmet shell to help dissipate
impact energy.
Inventors: |
Withnall; Chris; (Nepean,
CA) ; Wonnacott; Michael; (Ottawa, CA) ;
Bologna; Vittorio; (Des Plaines, IL) ; Ide; Thad
M.; (Des Plaines, IL) ; Infusino; Ralph; (Des
Plaines, IL) ; Kraemer; Nelson; (Des Plaines,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Riddell, Inc. |
Des Plaines |
IL |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/523689 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15076106 |
Mar 21, 2016 |
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17523689 |
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13068104 |
May 2, 2011 |
9289024 |
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15076106 |
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61343567 |
Apr 30, 2010 |
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International
Class: |
A42B 3/20 20060101
A42B003/20; A42B 3/08 20060101 A42B003/08; A42B 3/04 20060101
A42B003/04; A63B 71/08 20060101 A63B071/08; A63B 71/10 20060101
A63B071/10; A42B 3/28 20060101 A42B003/28 |
Claims
1. A football helmet comprising: a shell configured to receive a
head of a wearer of the helmet, the shell having a front region, a
rear region, left side region and right side region, wherein each
side region has an ear opening; a faceguard assembly including: a
faceguard comprising a plurality of bar members including an upper
horizontal bar member extending across the front region of the
shell without contacting said front region, a upper left connector
bracket that secures a peripheral bar member of the faceguard to
the shell, the upper left connector bracket having a clamshell
configuration with a rear segment and a front segment, wherein said
front segment includes an upper left opening that receives a upper
left elongated coupler to couple the upper left connector bracket
and the faceguard to the left side region, a lower left connector
bracket that secures a peripheral bar member of the faceguard to
the shell, the lower left connector bracket having a clamshell
configuration with a rear segment and a front segment, wherein said
front segment includes an lower left opening that receives a upper
left elongated coupler to couple the lower left connector bracket
and the faceguard to the left side region, a upper right connector
bracket that secures a peripheral bar member of the faceguard to
the shell, the upper right connector bracket having a clamshell
configuration with a rear segment and a front segment, wherein said
front segment includes an upper right opening that receives a upper
right elongated coupler to couple the upper right connector bracket
and the faceguard to the right side region, a lower right connector
bracket that secures a peripheral bar member of the faceguard to
the shell, the lower right connector bracket having a clamshell
configuration with a rear segment and a front segment, wherein said
front segment includes an lower right opening that receives a lower
right elongated coupler to couple the lower right connector bracket
and the faceguard to the right side region, wherein a continuous
gap is formed between the upper horizontal bar member of the
faceguard and the front region of the shell prior to an impact
force being applied to the faceguard, wherein the continuous gap
extends along the length of the upper horizontal bar member and the
front shell region, the helmet lacking a component that is coupled
to both the front shell region and the faceguard, and wherein, when
the helmet is worn by a wearer, each of the upper left, upper
right, lower left, and lower right elongated couplers are
positioned forward of the ear openings.
2. The football helmet of claim 1, wherein both the upper left and
upper right connector bracket have a hinge that operably joins said
front and rear segments; and wherein when an on-center impact force
is applied to the faceguard, the front bracket segment remains
stable while the rear bracket segment moves substantially normal to
an outer surface of the shell to facilitate movement of the upper
horizontal bar member towards the front region of the shell.
3. The football helmet of claim 1, wherein when an on-center impact
force is applied to the faceguard, the upper left and upper right
connector brackets moves substantially normal to an outer surface
of the shell to facilitate movement of the upper horizontal bar
member towards the front region of the shell in response to said
impact force.
4. The football helmet of claim 1, wherein, when the faceguard
assembly is in an installed position prior to an impact force being
applied to the faceguard, the positional arrangement between said
upper horizontal bar member of the faceguard and an extent of the
front region of the shell provides a continuous gap greater than
0.25 inch.
5. The football helmet of claim 1, wherein in an installed position
prior to an impact force being applied to the faceguard, the rear
bracket segment is positioned at a first distance defined between
an inner wall of the rear bracket segment and the shell; wherein
upon an impact force being applied to the faceguard, the rear
bracket segment being displaced a second distance defined between
said inner wall and said shell; and, wherein the first distance is
less than the second distance.
6. The football helmet of claim 1, wherein the upper horizontal bar
member has a curvilinear configuration that corresponds to a
curvilinear configuration of a brow region of the front portion of
the shell to provide the continuous gap.
7. The football helmet of claim 1, wherein shell has a front bumper
that includes an internal fastener that extends through the shell
and is not externally visible, wherein the internal fastener
secures the front bumper to the front region of the shell, and
wherein the upper horizontal bar member extends across both: (i)
the front region of the shell and (ii) the front bumper without
contacting either: (i) the front region of the shell or (ii) the
front bumper.
8. The football helmet of claim 1, wherein the front bumper lacks
an external faceguard connector.
9. The football helmet of claim 1, wherein the front bumper lacks a
fastener that extends through the entirety of the front bumper.
10. The football helmet of claim 1, wherein when an on-center
impact force is applied to the faceguard, the upper left and upper
right connector brackets flex outward relative to the shell and the
upper horizontal bar member moves towards the front bumper in
response to said impact force.
11. The football helmet of claim 1, wherein the front bumper
includes an internal pocket that has an access slot designed to
allow for the insertion of a nut, and wherein a portion of the
internal fastener extends into the nut and resides within the
internal pocket.
12. The football helmet of claim 1, wherein each side region
includes a lower recessed channel extending upward and rearward
from a lower edge of the shell, and wherein the lower recessed
channel is configured to receive an extent of a lower elongated
strap member that extends outwardly from the central protective
member.
13. A football helmet comprising: a shell configured to receive a
head of a wearer of the helmet, the shell having: a front region, a
rear region, a first side region having a first interface area with
an outer surface, said outer surface of the first interface area is
offset from an outer surface of the shell that is adjacent to the
first interface area, and a second side region having a second
interface area with an outer surface, said outer surface of the
second interface area is offset from an outer surface of the shell
that is adjacent to the second interface area; a faceguard assembly
including: a faceguard including opposed peripheral bar members
including an upper horizontal bar member extending across the front
region of the shell without contacting said front region; a pair of
connector brackets for securing the faceguard to the shell, a first
connector bracket securing a first peripheral bar member to a first
interface area of the shell and a second connector bracket securing
a second peripheral bar member to a second interface area of the
shell, the first and second connector brackets each having a
clamshell configuration with a rear segment and a front segment,
wherein said front segment includes an opening that receives an
elongated coupler to couple the bracket and the faceguard to a
respective first or second interface area of the shell; wherein a
continuous gap is formed between the upper horizontal bar member of
the faceguard and the front region of the shell prior to an impact
force being applied to the faceguard, wherein the continuous gap
extends along the length of the upper horizontal bar member and the
front shell region, whereby the helmet lacks a component that
connects the faceguard to the front region of the shell.
14. The football helmet of claim 13, wherein when an on-center
impact force is applied to the faceguard, the front bracket segment
remains stable while the rear bracket segment moves substantially
normal to the respective interface area of the shell to facilitate
movement of the upper horizontal bar member towards the front
region of the shell.
15. The football helmet of claim 14, wherein when an off-center
impact force is applied off-center to the faceguard, the first
connector bracket moves differently than the second connector
bracket, wherein the rear segment of the first connector bracket
moves towards the first interface area of the shell and the rear
segment of the second connector bracket moves substantially normal
to the second interface area of the shell.
16. The football helmet of claim 13, wherein the continuous gap
extends beyond the front region of the shell and into ear flap
regions of the shell.
17. The football helmet of claim 13, wherein the first interface
area is located within a first ear flap region of the shell and the
second interface area is located within a second and opposing ear
flap region of the shell.
18. The football helmet of claim 13, wherein, when the faceguard
assembly is in an installed position prior to an impact force being
applied to the faceguard, the positional arrangement between said
upper horizontal bar member of the faceguard and said front bumper
provides a continuous gap that is between 0.25 and 0.50 inch.
19. The football helmet of claim 13, wherein in an installed
position prior to an impact force being applied to the faceguard,
the rear bracket segment is positioned at a first distance defined
between an inner wall of the rear bracket segment and the shell;
wherein upon an impact force being applied to the faceguard, the
rear bracket segment is displaced a second distance defined between
said inner wall and said shell; and, wherein the first distance is
less than the second distance.
20. The football helmet of claim 13, wherein the upper horizontal
bar member has a curvilinear configuration that corresponds to a
curvilinear configuration of a brow region of the front portion of
the shell to provide the continuous gap.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/076,106, which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/068,104, which claims the benefit of
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/343,567, all of these
applications which are incorporated herein by reference and made a
part hereof. U.S. Pat. No. 8,813,269 and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/923,603 are incorporated herein by reference and
made a part hereof.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention generally relates to a protective sports
helmet, such as a football, lacrosse, hockey or baseball helmet,
worn by a player during the play of a contact sport. The inventive
helmet includes a number of improvements, including but not limited
to an energy attenuating faceguard mounting system that reduces
impact forces received by a faceguard secured to the helmet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Helmets for contact sports, such as those used in football,
hockey and lacrosse, typically include a shell, an internal padding
assembly, a faceguard or face mask, and a chin protector or strap
that removably secures the helmet on the wearer's head. The
faceguard is rigidly secured to the shell by a plurality of
connectors, whereby the faceguard can sustain a number of impacts
during the course of play while remaining connected to the shell.
Most faceguards include a plurality of intersecting and/or
overlapping bars that form openings through which the wearer views
the field of play. With conventional helmets, the upper faceguard
bars directly contact the lower frontal portion of the helmet
shell, which is referred to as the "brow region" of the shell. This
direct contact results from the use of a pair of connectors secured
to the brow region of the helmet shell. Additional connectors are
employed to secure the faceguard to the side portions of the helmet
shell. Conventional faceguard connectors are purposely designed to
avoid flexing when the faceguard receives an impact force.
[0004] One existing faceguard connector is a plastic U-shaped strap
member that has a receiver portion that encircles a bar of the
faceguard. This strap connector includes a tab portion, wherein a
threaded fastener, such as a screw, extends through the tab portion
and into the shell to secure the connector and the faceguard to the
helmet. Typically, these U-shaped strap connectors are found above
the brow region of the shell and along each ear flap to join the
faceguard to the shell. A second existing faceguard connector is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,934,971, which is owned by Riddell
Inc., the assignee of the present application. That connector,
marketed under the Isolator System brand name, includes a nut, a
bushing, a grommet, a rectangular bracket and a threaded fastener
(screw). The bracket includes a first channel that receives a first
bar of the faceguard and a second channel that receives a second
bar, wherein the faceguard bars are positioned between the shell
and the bracket. The fastener extends through the bracket and the
shell and is received by the nut (residing within the shell) to
couple the faceguard to the shell. The threaded fastener is
employed to secure the connector to the shell and as a result, a
rotational force is applied to tighten for securement and loosen
the fastener to permit removal of the bracket and faceguard. While
such conventional faceguard connectors provide a number of
benefits, they nevertheless have certain limitations. For example,
adjusting and/or removing the faceguard from the shell can be
difficult and time consuming. Because a threaded fastener is
utilized, rotation of a flat-blade or Phillips screwdriver is
required to loosen the fastener to allow for removal of the bracket
and the faceguard. Removal of a faceguard becomes necessary when
the player is injured or the player's faceguard is damaged and
involves unscrewing the fastener to allow for removal of both the
connector and the damaged faceguard. After the damaged faceguard is
removed, a replacement faceguard is secured to the helmet with the
fastener and connector. This removal and replacement process is
time consuming and requires that the player having the damaged
equipment to be removed from play until the process is completed.
The unavailability of the player to participate in further play is
detrimental to the team, especially if the player plays an
essential position such as quarterback.
[0005] One additional limitation of the use of a faceguard
connector above the brow region of the shell is the transmission of
faceguard impact forces. Because the faceguard is in direct contact
with the shell, a significant extent of a faceguard impact force is
transmitted from the faceguard to the shell. Depending upon its
severity and magnitude, an extent of the impact force may be
transmitted through the internal padding assembly to the wearer of
the helmet.
[0006] The present invention is provided to solve these limitations
and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by conventional
sports helmets. A full discussion of the features and advantages of
the present invention is deferred to the following detailed
description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed to a protective sports
helmet that includes a number of improvements intending to increase
the protective nature of the helmet. For example, the helmet
features an energy attenuating faceguard mounting system, which
includes at least one connector that secures the faceguard (or face
mask) to the helmet shell without a connection point to the shell's
brow region. The lack of a brow region connection point results in
a gap or clearance between the faceguard and the shell that has a
functional interplay with the connector upon an impact to the
faceguard.
[0008] While it is the desire and goal that a football helmet, and
other types of protective helmets, prevent injuries from occurring,
it should be noted that as to the helmet of the present invention,
as well as prior art helmets, due to the nature of contact sports
(including football), no protective equipment or helmet can
completely prevent injuries to those individuals playing sports. It
should be further noted that no protective equipment can completely
prevent injuries to a player, especially when the player uses the
equipment improperly and/or employs poor form or technique. For
example, if the football player uses his football helmet in an
improper manner, such as to butt, ram, or spear an opposing player,
which is in violation of the rules of football and severe head
and/or neck injuries, paralysis, or death to the football player,
as well as possible injury to the football player's opponent can
result. No football helmet, or protective helmet, such as that of
the present invention, can prevent head, chin, or neck injuries a
football player might receive while participating in the sport of
football. The helmet of the present invention is believed to offer
protection to football players, but it is believed that no helmet
can, or will ever completely prevent head injuries to football
players.
[0009] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with
the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] To understand the present invention, it will now be
described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a sports
helmet having an energy attenuating system of the invention, the
system including a faceguard and a dynamic faceguard connector
assembly;
[0012] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the helmet of FIG. 1, where
the internal padding of the sport helmet has been removed;
[0013] FIG. 1B is an elevated perspective view of the helmet of
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a front view of the helmet of FIG. 1, including an
alternative faceguard design;
[0015] FIG. 2A is a front view of the helmet of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of the helmet of FIG. 1, including a
wearer of the helmet being partially shown in phantom lines;
[0017] FIG. 3A is a side view of a portion of the helmet of FIG. 1
showing the energy attenuating system of the helmet;
[0018] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the dynamic faceguard
connector of the energy attenuating system of the helmet of FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 4B is a side view of the dynamic faceguard connector of
the energy attenuating system of the helmet of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 4C is a top view of the dynamic faceguard connector of
the energy attenuating system of the helmet of FIG. 1
[0021] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a nameplate used with the
helmet of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the nameplate of FIG.
5a, showing the nameplate mounted to the helmet and a gap G between
the faceguard member and the helmet;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a top view of the helmet of FIG. 1, showing the
energy attenuating system of the helmet in an installed
position;
[0024] FIG. 6A is a partial top view of the helmet of FIG. 1
showing the energy attenuating system of the helmet in the
installed position;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a partial top view of the helmet of FIG. 1 showing
the energy attenuating system of the helmet wherein a generally
on-center force F is applied to the faceguard;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a partial top view of the helmet of FIG. 1 showing
the energy attenuating system of the helmet wherein a generally
off-center force F is applied to the faceguard;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the dynamic faceguard
connector assembly affixed to the helmet of FIG. 6A and shown
within dotted lines therein;
[0028] FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of the dynamic faceguard
connector assembly affixed to the helmet of FIG. 8 and shown within
dotted lines therein;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the dynamic faceguard
connector assembly affixed to the helmet of FIGS. 7 and 8 and shown
within dotted lines therein;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a side view of the helmet of FIG. 1 showing a
transitional region of the shell;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a front view of the helmet shell of FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the shell portion of
the helmet taken through line 13-13 of FIG. 12;
[0033] FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the shell
portion of the helmet shown within dotted lines of FIG. 13;
[0034] FIG. 15 is a partial sectional view of a transitional region
of the shell portion of the helmet showing the curvature of a front
portion of the shell and a rear portion of the shell;
[0035] FIG. 16 is a partial sectional view of a transitional region
of the shell portion of the helmet showing the curvature of the
front portion of the shell, the rear portion of the shell, and a
transitional portion of the shell; and,
[0036] FIG. 17 is a rear view of the helmet of FIG. 1.
[0037] While the invention will be described in connection with the
preferred embodiments shown herein, it will be understood that it
is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the
contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications,
and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the
embodiments illustrated.
[0039] In the Figures, a football helmet 10 in accordance with the
present invention is shown to generally include: an outer shell 11
with an ear flap 12 and a jaw flap 13, an energy attenuating
faceguard mounting system 14 comprising a faceguard 35 that spans a
frontal shell opening 11a and at least one dynamic faceguard
connector 16, and an internal padding assembly 300. The outer shell
11 includes a frontal opening 11a defined by an arrangement of
edges including an interior frontal edge 11b (see FIG. 3A) and an
upper frontal edge 11d (see FIGS. 3, 3a), where the upper frontal
edge 11d of the frontal opening 11a can also be considered a lower
frontal edge of the shell 11. The outer shell 11 also includes a
brow region 11c (see FIG. 1A) that resides above the upper frontal
edge 11d and that overlies a brow of the wearer 500 of the helmet
10, when the helmet 10 is worn (see FIG. 3). The outer shell 11
also includes a thickened segment 11g that extends laterally along
the upper frontal edge 11d and into an interface area 11e (see
FIGS. 3, 5B, 12 and 13). As shown in FIGS. 5B and 13, an angled
transition wall 11h leads to the thickened segment 11g. Focusing on
FIGS. 1B and 12, the thickened segment 11g and the interface area
11c are raised relative to the adjacent portion of the shell 11.
The outer shell 11 is preferably made of a suitable plastic
material having the requisite strength and durability
characteristics to function as a football helmet, or other type of
protective helmet, such as polycarbonate plastic materials, one of
which is known as LEXAN.RTM., as is known in the art.
Alternatively, the shell is made from a fiber reinforced plastic
resin, wherein carbon fibers are utilized. Outer shell 11 has an
inner wall surface 17 (FIG. 12) and an outer wall surface 18.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the shell 11 further includes a crown 19, a
back or rear 20, a front 21, a lower edge surface 22, and two side
regions 24 (which include the ear flap 12 and jaw flap 13). As is
known in the art, and as will be hereinafter described in greater
detail, shell 11 is adapted to receive the head 525 of a wearer 500
of the helmet 10. Referring to FIG. 3, the wearer or player 500 has
a jaw or mandible 526 (FIG. 3) that generally comprises a
substantially vertical ramus portion 527, a body or side portion
528, and a frontal or mental protruberance or chin portion 529. As
shown in FIG. 3, the body portion 528 extends between the ramus
portion 527 and the chin 529. The ramus portion 527 includes an
upper segment with coronoid and condyloid processes that are
proximate and forward of ears 530 of wearer 500.
[0040] With reference to FIGS. 1, 1A, 3, 11 and 17, each side
region 24 of the shell 11 includes an ear flap 12, which is adapted
to generally overlie an ear 530 (FIG. 3) and portion of a cheek of
the wearer 500. Each ear flap 12 generally extends downwardly from
the side region 24 to the lower edge surface 22 of shell 11. Each
ear flap 12 includes a jaw flap 13 that extends from its
corresponding ear flap 12 forwardly toward the front 21 of the
shell 11. As seen in FIG. 3, the jaw flap 13 is adapted to
generally extend to overlie a portion of the body portion 528 of
the jaw 526 of the wearer 500 of the helmet 10. As shown in FIG. 3,
jaw flap 13 extends forwardly to overlie a forwardly disposed
portion of the jaw 526 disposed toward the chin 529 of wearer 500.
The jaw flap 13 extends forwardly enough to overlie a portion of
the side of the chin 529 of wearer 500, but not the entire chin
529. The jaw flap 13 does not need to extend to completely cover
the chin 529 of the wearer 500, but it is contemplated that it may
extend to completely cover the chin 529 in some embodiments, or
based on the specific anatomy of some wearers. It is further
contemplated that the jaw flap 13 will not cover any portion of the
chin 529 of the wearer 500 in other embodiments, or based on the
specific anatomy of some wearers. In this regard, it should be
noted that helmets 10 of the present invention are generally made
with outer shells 11 of varying sizes, dependent upon the size of
the head of the particular wearer of the helmet. It is also noted
that players are fitted for helmets by trained personnel in
accordance with written fitting guidelines. In FIG. 3, a
properly-sized helmet 10 is shown superimposed upon what is
believed to be an average size head of a wearer of the helmet 10,
whereby jaw flap 13 is shown to generally overlie the entire ramus
527 of the jaw 526 and at least some of the body portion 528 of the
jaw 526, including a forwardly disposed portion of jaw 526 adjacent
the chin 529 of wearer 500, including overlying at least some
portion of the side of the chin 529 of wearer 500. Since FIG. 3 is
not a representation of all sizes of heads and all types of chin
structures, such as chins which may greatly extend outwardly away
from the head of the wearer, it should be understood that it is
perhaps possible that someone wearing a helmet 10 in accordance
with the present invention may have a larger or smaller side
portion of his or her chin extending outwardly further beyond the
outer periphery of jaw flap 13. When the helmet 10 is properly
sized and fitted to the wearer 500, it is believed that jaw flap 13
will overlie some portion of the body 528 of the jaw 526 of
virtually all wearers of helmets 10.
[0041] As shown in the Figures, the helmet shell 11 has an
arrangement of complex contours. Referring to FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 2,
2A, 3, 11 and 12, the shell 11 has a raised central band 60
extending rearward from the front shell portion 21 and along the
crown 19. The raised central band 60 has an initial frontal width
that is reduced as the band 60 extends rearward through the crown
19. In one embodiment, the initial frontal width is approximately 5
to 6 inches. Also, the band 60 has an initial frontal height
defined by a beveled (or inclined) sidewall 60a that is reduced
along the band 60, whereby a rear segment of the band 60 is
substantially flush with the outer surface 18 of the shell 11,
preferably being flush rearward of a midpoint of the crown 19. As
shown in FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 3, a pair of opposed front raised
lateral ridges 62 extend transversely and substantially upward from
the band 60 and towards the ear flap 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the
raised lateral ridge 62 has an initial frontal height defined by a
first beveled sidewall segment 62a that extends laterally and
downwardly from the sidewalls 60a of the band 60. Also, as shown in
FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 3, the raised lateral ridges 62 have a
second beveled sidewall segment 62b that extends laterally and
upwardly from the first beveled sidewall segment 62a and towards
the ear flap 12. Due to its upward extension, a midpoint of the
second sidewall segment 62b is approximately 1.5 to 2 inches above
the uppermost faceguard bar 52a and the frontal opening upper edge
11d. Preferably, the second sidewall segment 62b is reduced along
the raised lateral ridge 62, whereby a peripheral segment of the
raised lateral ridge 62 is substantially flush with the outer shell
surface 18. Most preferably, the raised lateral ridge 62 is flush
with the outer shell surface 18 at a point that is rearward of the
dynamic connector 16, substantially aligned with the upper chin
strap connector 45a, and/or substantially aligned with the angled
frontal ridge 12b of the ear opening 12a. As shown in FIG. 13, the
rear openings 32e are positioned in the rear 20 of the shell 11 and
between a rear edge 22 and a raised lateral ridge chord 34 that
extends: (i) between uppermost points 63 of the raised lateral
ridges 62, and (ii) around the rear 20 of the shell 11. As shown in
FIGS. 1B, 3, 6 and 11, a first set of ventilation openings, or air
vents, 32a-c, are arranged along the sidewall 60a of the band 60.
Although only the left half of the helmet 10 is shown in FIGS. 3
and 11, the helmet 10 is symmetric and it is understood that the
structures and features shown on the left half, including openings
32a-c along the right sidewall of the band 60, are also present on
the right half (not shown) of the helmet 10. Preferably, the
openings 32a, 32b, 32c in the first set on the left half of the
helmet 10 are collinear with each other, and the openings in the
second set (on the right half of the helmet 10) are also collinear
with each other. Because the band 60 has a rearward taper, the
distance between opposed openings 32a, 32b, 32c in the first and
second sets, as measured across the band 60, decreases. The initial
frontal opening 32a is adjacent to an inner shoulder of the raised
lateral ridge 62 and the band 60. Specifically, as shown in FIGS.
1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 3, 6, 6A, 7, 8, and 11-13, the frontal vent
opening 32a is positioned substantially adjacent to the raised
central band 60 and the raised lateral ridge 62. Preferably, as
shown in these figures, the frontal vent opening 32a is located
adjacent to a base portion of the sidewall 60a and the first
sidewall segment 62a, as these sidewalls 60a, 62a extend outward
from the outer surface 19 of the shell 11.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 3, 6 and 17, the shell 11 further
includes a raised rear band 64 that extends from the crown 19
rearward to the rear shell portion 20. The raised rear band 64 has
a width that remains substantially constant as the band 64 extends
rearward and downward. The rear band 64 also has opposed beveled
(or inclined) sidewalls 64a that increases as the band 64 extends
rearward. An initial segment of the band 64 commences forward of
the rearmost opening 32c and is substantially flush with the shell
11. A pair of opposed rear beveled ridges 68 extend outward and
downward from a rear segment of the band 64. The rear beveled
ridges 68 have sidewalls 68a that decrease along their length
whereby the ridges 68 gradually blend into the shell 11. A
ventilation opening 32d resides adjacent an inner shoulder 68b
between the ridges 68 and the band 64. Preferably, the ventilation
opening 32d has a triangular configuration. The rear band 64
terminates proximate a substantially horizontal ledge 70 that
extends between the side regions 24 of the helmet 10. The
substantially horizontal ledge 70 includes an angled surface 72
extending between the rear band 64 and the outer shell surface 18.
Below the ledge 70, the rear shell portion 20 includes a pair of
recessed regions 74 in an opposed positional relationship. The
recessed region 74 is defined by an arrangement of angled walls 74a
that form a generally U-shaped configuration. A rear opening 32e
resides within the recessed region 74 and is positioned adjacent to
a frontal or leading wall 74b of the angled walls 74a and between
an upper transverse wall 74c and a lower transverse wall 74d. The
rear opening 32e has an elongated configuration with a major axis
that is substantially vertical when the helmet 10 is positioned on
the wearer's head. Further, the rear opening 32e has an upper width
that exceeds a lower width. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, the rear
openings 32c are positioned in the rear 20 of the shell 11 and
below a first chord 31 that extends: (i) between the forward-most
points 29 of the ear openings 12a and (ii) around the rear 20 of
the shell 11. As shown in FIG. 12, the shell 11 is configured such
that the distance between the sidewall 60a of the raised central
band 60 is less than the distance between the outer edges of the
rear openings 32e.
[0043] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 3A, the helmet 10 includes a
chin protector 40 that engages the chin 529 of wearer 500 and
couples with the shell 11 in order to secure the helmet 10 on the
wearer's head. The chin protector 40 includes a central protective
member 42 that engages the wearer's chin 529 and at least two
flexible members or straps 43, 44 extending from the central member
42. In use, the upper flexible member 43 engages with an upper
connector 45a extending outward from the shell 11 above an ear
opening 12a in the ear flap 12 and preferably rearward of the
faceguard connector 16. Similarly, the lower flexible member 44
engages with a lower connector 45b extending outward from the shell
11 below the ear opening 12a. A frontal portion of the ear opening
12a is defined by an angled frontal ridge 12b with a beveled side
wall 12c (see FIG. 3A). An upper recessed channel 46 extends
rearward from an interior frontal edge 11b of the shell frontal
opening 11a and along the upper periphery of the jaw flap 13. The
upper recessed channel 46 is adjacent an upper beveled surface 13a
of the jaw flap 13 (see FIG. 3A), and the upper connector 45a is
aligned with the upper recessed channel 46. A peripheral downwardly
extending transverse bar 52g is cooperatively dimensioned with the
upper channel 46 such that an upper flexible member 43 of the chin
protector 40 is positioned between the transverse bar 52g and the
upper channel 46. A lower recessed channel 48 extends from the
lower edge 22 of the shell 11 upward and rearward along the lower
periphery of the jaw flap 13. The lower recessed channel 48 is
adjacent a lower beveled surface 13b of the jaw flap 13, and the
lower connector 45b is aligned with the lower recessed channel 48.
Due to the recessed nature of the upper and lower channels 46, 48,
the jaw flap 13 defines an outermost jaw flap surface 13c of the
shell 11 in the side region of the helmet 10. The shell 11 also
includes a notch 47 formed in the lower edge shell surface 22 and
below the ear opening 12a, and preferably, the notch 47 is aligned
with the lower channel 48. Preferably, notch 47 has at least one
angled segment 47a and potentially a plurality of angled segments
47a, b that result in a generally V-shaped configuration; however,
other shapes of notches, if desired, could be utilized.
[0044] Each flexible member 43, 44 includes a coupler 49 with a
female snap connector that engages with the male upper and lower
connectors 45a, b, respectively, to define a secured position. When
the chin protector 40 is in a secured position and the helmet 10 is
on the wearer's head 500 (see FIG. 3), the upper channel 46
receives an extent 43a of the upper flexible member 43 and the
lower channel 48 receives an extent 44a of the lower flexible
member 44. Thus, in the secured position, the upper and lower
flexible members 43, 44 are retained within the upper and lower
channels 46, 48, respectively. In addition, a second extent 44b of
the lower flexible member 44 passes through notch 47 which improves
stability of the lower flexible member 44 while minimizing
undesired movement of the member 44. In general, if a helmet is
subjected to a downward impact force upon the face mask, the helmet
tends to roll forwardly about a virtual pivot point located
slightly above the ear openings. Notch 47 assists in resisting the
undesired rolling effect by redirecting the lower flexible member's
44 line of action to a location farther away from the virtual pivot
point. In addition, the securement configuration resulting from the
channels 46, 48 and the notch 47 provide an improvement over the
conventional 4 point hookup, or a "high hookup," of the chin
protector because of improved stability of the helmet 10 on the
wearer's head during play. Thus, the retention and proper
positioning of the helmet 10 upon impact(s) is improved.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 4A-C, and 6-11,
the helmet 10 features an energy attenuating faceguard mounting
system 14, including the faceguard 35 and means for dynamically
connecting the faceguard 35, which interact to reduce impact forces
received on the faceguard 35 and transmitted to the helmet shell
11. Unlike conventional sports helmets and faceguard connectors 15,
the energy attenuating faceguard mounting system 14 does not
include a connection point with a front bumper 202 at the brow
region 11c of the shell 11 for the faceguard 35. In other words and
as shown in FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 4A-C, and 6-11, the
helmet 10 lacks a component that is connected between the front
region of the shell and the faceguard. In one embodiment, the
dynamic faceguard connecting means comprises a helmet shell
connection segment that is movable relative to the remaining shell
11 and that receives a coupler for securement of the faceguard 35.
The helmet shell connection segment can be integrally formed within
the shell 11, for example in the ear flap 12. Alternatively, the
helmet shell connection segment can be formed separately and then
operatively joined to the shell 11. For example, the shell 11 can
include a generally circular opening that receives and operatively
connects with the helmet shell connection segment. The helmet shell
connection segment can function similar to a butterfly valve where
the connection segment includes a disc that is secured to the shell
11 by a rod and a peripheral region 38 of the faceguard 35 is
secured to the rod either directly or via an actuator. When an
impact force is applied to the faceguard 35, a portion of the
connection segment, for example the disc, moves or rotates relative
to the remaining shell 11 which allows for movement of the
peripheral faceguard region 38. Alternatively, the helmet shell
connection segment can flex inward and/or outward when the impact
force is applied to the faceguard 35. In another embodiment, the
dynamic faceguard connecting means comprises a plunger assembly
coupled to the helmet shell 11 wherein a first plunger component
moves relative to the shell 11 (e.g., substantially normal to the
shell 11) when an impact force is applied to the faceguard 35. The
movement of the plunger assembly facilitates movement of the
faceguard 35, including a peripheral faceguard region 38, when the
impact force is received by the faceguard 35. In another
embodiment, the dynamic faceguard connecting means comprises the
dynamic faceguard connector 16. Referring to FIGS. 1-3A and as
explained below, the helmet 10 includes two dynamic connectors 16,
one on each side region 24 of shell 11 positioned slightly above
the ear opening 12a. The helmet 10 also includes a pair of lower
(non-dynamic) connector 15 positioned on the jaw flap 13 near the
lower shell edge 22. Alternatively, the helmet 10 may include a
greater number of dynamic connectors 16, for example, four dynamic
connectors 16 wherein the helmet 10 has a pair of upper dynamic
connectors 16 and a pair of lower dynamic connectors 16.
[0046] The faceguard 35 comprises a plurality of elongated bar
members 39, which may be formed of any suitable material having the
requisite strength and durability characteristics to function as a
football helmet faceguard. The members 39 may be preferably formed
of a metallic material, such as steel or titanium, and as is known
in the art, the bar members 39 may be provided with a durable
coating (e.g., plastic coating). Additionally, the bar members 39
may be of a solid or tubular cross-sectional configuration.
Alternatively, bar members 39 may be formed of a suitable plastic
material, including a fiber reinforced plastic resin, having the
requisite strength and durability characteristics to perform the
functions of a football helmet faceguard. The faceguard connectors
15, 16 encircle portions of the bar members 39 of the faceguard 35.
The faceguard connectors 15, 16 are shown with a quick release
coupler 50, which is described in more detail in pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/082,920, which is incorporated
herein by reference. Alternatively, an elongated fastener, such as
a threaded screw, may be employed with the faceguard connectors 15,
16 to secure the faceguard 35 to the helmet 10.
[0047] Referring to at least FIGS. 1, 1B, 3 and 3A, a pair of
dynamic faceguard connectors 16 and the quick release coupler 50
connect an upper portion of the faceguard 35 to an interface area
11e of the shell 11 at the ear flap 12 and over a superior (or
frontal) portion of the helmet wearer's temporal lobe. As shown in
FIGS. 1B, 12 and 13, the interface area 11e is outwardly raised or
offset relative to the adjacent portion of the shell 11. Also, as
shown in these figures, opposed ends of the thickened segment 11g
adjoin the interface areas 11e to provide a continuous,
uninterrupted frontal offset of the shell 11. The interface area
11e has significant dimensions such that it extends from the
interior frontal edge 11b rearward past a shell opening 200 (that
receives an extent of the coupler 50). Focusing on FIG. 3A, a rear
edge of the interface area 11e is positioned rearward of the
faceguard 35, the upper faceguard connector 16, and the lower
faceguard connector 15. Preferably, the faceguard connector 16 is
positioned adjacent the interior edge 11b of the frontal shell
opening 11a and below an upper edge 11d of the frontal opening 11a.
More preferably, the faceguard connector 16 is positioned above the
ear opening 12a and the jaw flap 13. The dynamic faceguard
connectors 16 define an uppermost faceguard securement point
located over the helmet wearer's superior temporal lobe and lateral
to the brow region 11c of the shell 11. The uppermost faceguard
securement point is also below the frontal opening upper edge 11d
and upper substantially horizontal bar 52a of the faceguard 35, and
above the ear opening 12a and jaw flap 13. At least one horizontal
upper bar 52a of the faceguard 35 extends between the dynamic
faceguard connectors 16 and the opposed faceguard securement points
provided by the dynamic connectors 16. A second substantially
horizontal upper bar 52b is proximate and below the upper bar 52a
and extends between transverse intermediate bars 52f. Alternatively
the transverse intermediate bars 52f are omitted and the second
upper bar 52b is joined with the first upper bar 52a. Both of the
upper bars 52a, b are offset from the shell 11 and do not contact
the brow region 11c (or front region) of the shell 11. In other
words, the upper bars 52a, b extend between the connectors 16 and
along the brow region 11c without connecting to the brow region
11c. Thus, at least the uppermost bar 52a spans frontal opening 11a
and the distance between the dynamic connectors 16 without
connecting to the nameplate (or front bumper) 202 affixed to the
brow region 11c. Accordingly, the brow (front) region 11c of the
shell 11 lacks a faceguard connector. The upper bars 52a, b have a
length with a curvilinear configuration that substantially
corresponds to the curvilinear configuration of the brow region 11c
of the shell 11. The offset between the upper bars 52a, b, and the
shell 11 forms a gap G or standoff (see FIGS. 5, 6 and 6A) that is
generally greater than 0.25 inch, and preferably between 0.25 inch
and 0.5 inch. Unlike the present invention, conventional helmets
include a faceguard that is secured to the helmet by at least one
connector, typically a pair of connectors, coupled to the helmet's
brow region whereby at least one upper bar, typically two upper
bars contact the brow region. Conventional faceguards are further
secured by at least one additional pair of connectors, each being
coupled to an earflap of the shell.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 9, 9A and 10, the dynamic connector 16
includes the quick release coupler 50 that extends through a
grommet 90 positioned within a shell opening 200. The coupler 50 is
received by a fastening washer 91 that extends through both the
grommet 90 and the shell opening 200. As explained in pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/082,920, which is incorporated by
reference, the quick release coupler 50 also comprises sleeve body
92, an actuator or pin 93, and a spring 94. The sleeve body 92
receives the actuator 93 to removably secure the dynamic connector
16 to the shell 11. As briefly explained above, the quick release
coupler mechanism 50 is employed to secure the dynamic faceguard
connectors 16 to the shell 11. The coupler mechanism 50 that
provides for rapid attachment and detachment of the connectors 16
and the faceguard 35 from the shell 11 without the deliberate and
time-consuming use of a screwdriver (or cutting tool for removal).
The releasable coupler mechanism 50 extends through the opening 120
in the bracket 100 and into a shell opening 200. The coupler
mechanism 50 further includes a head, a washer, ball, and a
retaining notch. The coupler 50 is retained in a use position (see
FIG. 9) by the engagement between the ball, the retaining notch and
the distal end segment of the pin. To move the coupler 50 the use
position through an intermediate position to a disconnected
position, an inwardly directed actuation force is applied to the
pin by an object. Once these internal coupler components are
disconnected, the bracket 100 can be removed to allow for removal
of the faceguard 35 to arrive at the disconnected position.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 3A, 4A-C, the dynamic faceguard connector
16 comprises a bracket 100 with a movable segment and a stable
segment that are operatively connected to each other to facilitate
movement of the faceguard 35 when an impact force is applied
thereto. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the bracket's
movable segment is the peripheral bracket segment 113 and the
stable segment is the internal segment 114. The bracket 100 also
includes a band or strap member 102 that wraps around a peripheral
bar member 52c that extends downwardly and transversely from the
upper bar member 52a. The lower faceguard connector 15 (discussed
in greater detail in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/082,920) also comprises a bracket 15a with a band that encircles
the periphery of a peripheral member bar 52d that extends upwardly
and transversely from a lower bar member 52e. The band 102 of
bracket 100 forms a receiver 104 that encircles the bar 52c,
wherein the receiver 104 provides a single encircling point for the
faceguard bar 52c. The receiver 104 is oriented substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bracket 100. The
bracket 100 additionally includes a rear flange 106 that includes
the band 102 and the receiver 104, and a frontal tab 108. As shown
in FIG. 4A, the flange 106 also includes an indentation 106a
located approximately at a mid-point of the width of the flange
106. A first side rail 110 and a second side rail 112 extend
between the flange 106 and the frontal tab 108. The flange 106, the
frontal tab 108, and the side rails 110, 112 collectively comprise
the peripheral segment 113 of the bracket 100. The bracket 100 has
a "clam-shell" design such that it opens about the receiver 104 and
flange 106 to receive the faceguard bar 52c. Due to the clam-shell
configuration, the bracket 100 has an outer half or portion 122 and
an inner portion 124, as described in more detail below, that meet
at a rear seam extending along the receiver 104. Thus, the
peripheral segment 113 of the outer portion 122 includes an outer
side rail segment 110a of the first side rail 110, an outer side
rail segment 112a of the second side rail 112, and an outer segment
108a of the frontal tab 108. Similarly, the peripheral segment 113
of the inner portion 124 includes an inner side rail segment 110b
of the first side rail 110, an inner side rail segment 112b of the
second side rail 112, and an inner segment 108b of the frontal tab
108. Consequently, the first side rail 110 comprises the outer side
rail segment 110a and the inner side rail segment 110b; the second
side rail 112 comprises the outer side rail segment 112a and the
inner side rail segment 112b; and the frontal tab 108 comprises the
outer segment 108a and the inner segment 108b.
[0050] The connector bracket 100 includes a hinged internal segment
114 that enables the bracket 100 to flex when impact forces are
applied to the faceguard 35. As explained below, the peripheral
segment 113 flexes or moves relative to the internal segment 114
when an impact force F is applied to the face guard 35. Because the
bracket 100 has a clam-shell configuration, the hinged segment 114
has an outer portion 114a associated with the outer portion 122,
and an inner portion 114b associated with the inner portion 124.
The hinged internal segment 114 connects to the frontal tab 108,
and includes a frontal recess 115 at the interface with the frontal
tab 108. The frontal recess 115 defines a hinge line 115a for the
internal segment 114, wherein both are substantially perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis of the bracket 100. A rear extent of the
hinged internal segment 114 that is opposite the frontal recess 115
is free or not connected to the first side rail 110 and the second
side rail 112.
[0051] Also, the hinged internal segment 114 does not connect to
the flange 106 and therefore, the hinged internal segment 114 and
the flange 106 move independently of each other. A gap 116 is
formed between the hinged internal segment 114, the first side rail
110, the second side rail 112, and the peripheral flange 106,
namely the internal walls of same. The gap 116 includes opposed
recesses 118a, 118b disposed adjacent the frontal tab 108. The
opposed recesses 118a, 118b separate the hinged internal segment
114 from the first side rail 110 and the second side rail 112,
allowing motion of the side rails 110, 112 relative to the hinged
internal segment 114. The gap 116 has curvilinear segments as shown
in FIG. 3A. The curvilinear segments of the gap 116 are
complimentary to a profile of a periphery of the hinged internal
segment 114. The hinged internal segment 114 further comprises an
opening or bore 120. The opening 120 is adapted to receive an
elongated fastener, such as coupler 50, to secure the bracket 100
and the faceguard 35 to the shell 11. The hinged internal segment
114 additionally has a countersink 121, aligned with the opening
120, to enable a head portion of the fastener to reside below the
outer portion 122.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 4A-C, 9, 9A, and 10, the outer bracket
portion 122, including the outer first side rail segment 110a, the
outer second side rail segment 112a, and the frontal tab outer
segment 108a, defines an inclined outer wall surface 126 of the
outer portion 122 that extends between the front tab 108 and the
rear flange 106. As shown in FIG. 4C, the inclined outer wall
surface 126 is configured to allow for the inclusion of text, such
as a company identifier or logo. The inner bracket portion 124,
including the inner first side rail segment 110b, the second outer
side rail segment 112b, and the frontal tab inner segment 108b,
defines a generally planar inner wall surface 128. Referring to
FIG. 4B, the internal portion 114b of the inner portion 114 has an
inner surface 114d that is slightly recessed from the inner wall
surface 128. Preferably, an outer surface 114c of the outer segment
114a of the internal segment 114 is recessed from the outer wall
126 of the outer portion 122 thereby forming an offset K. Further,
an internal cavity 117 is formed between the internal segment 114
the internal portions of the side rails 110, 112 and the flange
106. Preferably, the offset K varies over the length of the bracket
100, in that the offset K is smaller near the frontal tab 108 and
the offset K is larger near the peripheral flange 106. The offset K
facilitates pivotal movement of the peripheral segment 113 relative
to the internal segment 114 upon an impact to the faceguard 35. In
addition, one of the outer portion 122 and the inner portion 124
has a protrusion 130 that interacts with a recess 132 formed in the
other of the outer portion 122 and the inner portion 124,
preferably at a location adjacent the hinge line of the internal
segment 114. In the embodiment discussed above, the bracket's
movable segment is the peripheral segment 113 and the stable
segment is the internal segment that are operatively connected.
Alternatively, the peripheral segment 113 is fixed and internal
segment 114 is movable when an impact force is applied to the
faceguard 35, as discussed below. In another alternate
configuration, the bracket 100 includes a front segment and a rear
segment, wherein one of the segments moves when an impact force is
applied to the faceguard 35 and the other of the segments remains
stable and secured to the shell 11.
[0053] FIGS. 6 and 9 show the energy attenuating faceguard mounting
system 14 in an installed or first position P1 (and prior to any
impact to the helmet 10), wherein the faceguard 35 is dynamically
connected to the helmet 10 by the connectors 16. The first position
P1 reflects the connector 16 position before an impact is applied
to the faceguard 35, or the post impact state where energy from an
impact has been fully absorbed and dissipated by the energy
attenuating faceguard mounting system 14. In the first position P1,
upper bar members 52a, b extend between the connectors 16 but do
not connect with the helmet 10 at or near the shell's brow region
11c or front bumper 202, thereby providing the gap G. Referring to
FIG. 9, the inner wall 128 of the inner portion 124 is spaced a
distance D1 from the outer surface 18 of the shell 11 at the
interface area 11e. The distance D1 also represents the distance
between the outer shell surface 18 and the inner first and second
side rail segments 110b, 112b. In general terms, when an impact to
the faceguard 35 occurs, the internal segment 114 remains
substantially stable, but the flange 106 and the side rails 110,
112 of the peripheral segment 113 flex relative to the internal
segment 114. Depending upon the magnitude and duration of an impact
to the faceguard 35, this movement occurs in two
directions--outward from the shell 11, and inward towards the shell
11--which provides the connector 16 with dynamic characteristics
upon an impact to the faceguard 35. The faceguard 35 is shown in
the Figures as single structure formed from a plurality of
intersecting bar members. Alternatively, the faceguard 35 comprises
distinct portions, such as an upper portion and a lower portion
wherein each portion includes a plurality of intersecting bar
members. This faceguard 35 configuration can result from the
removal of the lower vertical bar members 39 (see FIG. 1) that
extend from the lower portion to the upper portion. Assuming the
resulting upper portion of the faceguard is secured to the helmet
shell 11 by the dynamic connectors 16, the upper faceguard portion
will behave in a manner consistent with that described below for
both on-center and off-center impacts.
[0054] FIGS. 7 and 10 show the energy attenuating faceguard
mounting system 14 in a second position P2 wherein an "on-center"
impact force F, that is substantially lateral, is applied to a
center point 36 of the faceguard 35. The on-center impact F occurs
within thirty degrees) (30.degree.) of the faceguard center point
36, which may be defined by a substantially vertical center bar
member 37. Alternatively, the center bar member 37 is omitted and
the center point 36 is located between two other vertical bar
members, for example vertical bars in the upper or lower portion of
the faceguard 35. When the on-center impact F occurs, the faceguard
35 is displaced towards the shell 11 whereby the bracket 100 flexes
outward relative to (or away from) the outer shell surface 18 at
the interface area 11e. Specifically, the peripheral flange 106,
the first side rail 110 and the second side rail 112 move away from
the outer shell surface 18 at the interface area 11e, while the
internal segment 114 remains stable due to the securement with the
helmet shell 11 provided by the coupler 50. Thus, the peripheral
flange 106, the first side rail 110 and the second side rail 112
move relative to the internal segment 114 along the hinge line
115a. Referring to FIG. 10, a distance D2 (where D2 exceeds D1)
exists between the outer shell surface 18 and the inner wall 128 of
the inner portion 124. The distance D2 also represents the distance
between the outer shell surface 18 and the inner first and second
side rail segments 110b, 112b. By referencing FIG. 10 for both
connectors 16, FIG. 7 indicates that both faceguard connectors 16
will behave similarly and experience the same amount of flex during
an on-center impact. However, it is understood that an impact force
F that is not purely on-center but that falls within 30 degrees of
on-center (or within the total 60 degree window) may cause one
connector 16 to behave slightly differently than a second connector
16. For example and referring to FIG. 7, an impact force that is
applied 10 degrees off-center on a center left portion of the face
guard 35 will cause the helmet's left connector 16a to flex less
than the helmet's right connector 16b. Therefore, the distance D2
between the left connector 16a and the outer shell surface 18 at
the interface area 11e is less than the distance D2 between the
right connector 16b and the outer shell surface 18 at the interface
area 11e.
[0055] The movement of the faceguard 35 provided by the dynamic
connectors 16 dissipates energy received by the faceguard 35 from
the on-center impact, and temporarily reduces the gap G between the
faceguard upper bars 52 and the shell 11 (as compared to the gap G
in the first position P1 of FIG. 6). Under most impact conditions,
the gap G is temporarily reduced but not entirely eliminated,
whereby the transmission of faceguard impact forces to the shell
front 21 is reduced. Due to the nature of the faceguard impact, the
dynamic faceguard connector 16 experiences both inward and outward
movement relative to the shell 11 during an on-center impact. The
extent of this dual movement varies with a number of impact
factors, including the speed of the impact, the duration of the
impact and the faceguard location of the impact. Nonetheless, under
a moderate or severe on-center impact, the connector bracket 100
rapidly moves (or flexes) outward relative to the shell 11 and then
inward relative to the shell 11 several times per impact. In this
regard, the connector's flange 106 and side rails 110, 112
oscillate back and forth about the stable internal segment 114
until the impact energy is sufficiently dissipated. To further aid
energy attenuation, the bar members 39 of the faceguard 35,
including the uppermost bars 52a, b elastically deform upon an
impact. During a significant on-center impact force F, the
faceguard 35 elastically deforms such that the opposed peripheral
faceguard regions 38 move outward or away from the helmet shell 11.
Thus, the dynamic faceguard connectors 16a, b facilitate and/or
enable movement of the peripheral faceguard regions 38 that is
substantially normal or substantially perpendicular to the outer
shell surface 18 at the interface area 11e when an on-center impact
force F is applied to the faceguard 35.
[0056] FIGS. 8, 9A, and 10 show the energy attenuating faceguard
mounting system 14 in a third position P3 wherein an "off-center"
impact force F, that is substantially lateral, is applied to the
faceguard 35. The off-center impact F occurs to the side of the
face guard 35 beyond thirty degrees (30.degree.) of the faceguard
center point 36. Referring to FIG. 8, the off-center impact F
occurs at a left portion of the faceguard 35, between a lowermost
bar 52e and the uppermost bar 52a. Due to the off-center impact
force F, the gap G on the left side of the face guard 35 is
temporarily eliminated. The gap G on the right side of the face
guard 35 is similar to that for the first position P1 (see FIG. 6),
however, under certain impact conditions, this gap G may slightly,
temporarily increase. When the off-center impact F occurs, the left
faceguard connector 16a and the left peripheral faceguard portion
38a compresses towards the interface area 11e of the helmet shell
11, and the right faceguard connector 16b and the right peripheral
faceguard portion 38b flexes away from the interface area 11e of
the helmet shell 11. Thus, the faceguard connector 16 and the
peripheral faceguard portion 38 located on an opposite side of the
faceguard as the off-center impact force F initially moves outward
and substantially normal relative to the interface area 11e of the
shell 11 while the faceguard connector 16 and the peripheral
faceguard portion 38 on the same side as the impact force F
initially moves inward and substantially normal relative to the
interface areal le of the shell 11. Upon an off-center impact, the
faceguard connectors 16 behave differently which demonstrates the
dynamic nature of the connector 16. When the off-center impact F
occurs, the right connector 16b, including the bracket 100, behaves
in the manner described above and shown in FIG. 10. The bracket 100
of the left connector 16a initially moves towards the interface
area 11e of the helmet shell 11 and depending upon the magnitude
and duration of the impact F, the inner bracket wall 128 makes
contact with the outer shell surface 18. In this manner, the
distance D3 between the outer shell surface 18 and the inner wall
128 of the inner portion 124 is temporarily eliminated. The bracket
100 of the left connector 16a then moves away from the shell outer
surface 18. When the off-center impact force F has a lesser
magnitude and/or duration, the inner portion 124 of the connector
16a may not contact the outer shell surface 18 and the distance D3
is less than D2 or D1. Thus, the faceguard connector 16 on the same
side of the faceguard 35 as the off-center impact F initially moves
towards the helmet shell 11, and the connector 16 on the other side
of the faceguard 35 initially moves away from the helmet shell
11.
[0057] While substantially lateral or horizontal impact forces F
are discussed above, it has also been observed that an on-center
impact force F applied in a vertically downward direction to the
faceguard 35 cause the dynamic faceguard connectors 16 to flex
outward relative to the shell 11. This behavior is similar to when
a lateral impact force F is applied on-center to the faceguard 35.
Conversely, an on-center impact force F applied in a vertically
upward direction (towards the crown 19) to the faceguard 35 cause
the dynamic faceguard connectors 16 to flex inward relative to the
shell 11. Testing the inventive helmet 10 involved mounting it on a
Hybrid III headform that is coupled to a test table that is movable
along a single axis. A ram is moved axially along the single axis
in the same direction that the moveable table may travel. The ram
was moved at different speeds, such as, for example, 5 mis, 7 mis,
and/or 9 mis, to deliver a force to the faceguard 35 of the helmet
10. Sensors within the headform measure lateral acceleration as
well as severity index of the impact of the ram with the helmet 10.
This testing has shown that the helmet 10 and its energy
attenuating facemask mounting system 14 significantly reduces both
lateral acceleration and severity index of impacts delivered by the
ram to the faceguard 35 over a variety of impact speeds.
[0058] FIGS. 5A and 5B show a front bumper or nameplate 202 affixed
to the brow region 11c of the shell 11 by internal fasteners that
are not externally visible. The bumper 202 has a curvilinear
configuration that substantially corresponds to the configuration
of the brow region 11c, and facilitates the positioning and
securement of the internal padding assembly 300. Fasteners 204a,
204b pass through openings 11f in the shell 11 and bumper opening
215 and are received by respective nuts 206a, 206b that are secured
within an internal pocket 205 formed in the bumper 202. The
fastener 204a, 204b extends through only a portion of the bumper
202 and no fastener extends through the entirety of the bumper 202.
Preferably, the pockets 205 are in an opposed relationship, wherein
each pocket 205 has an access slot 207 aligned with the periphery
of the bumper 202, such as a sidewall 202a or a top wall 202b. As
shown in FIG. 5A, the slot 207 is formed in the sidewall 202a of
the bumper 202 and leads to the pocket 205 and the bumper opening
215, which are both positioned a distance from the sidewall 202a.
The internal pocket 205 retains the nuts 206a, 206b as the helmet
10 lacks any connectors for the upper bar 52 of the faceguard 35 at
the brow region 11c of the shell 11. The bumper 202 also includes a
lower groove 203 that is defined by an internal flange 208 and that
engages the frontal opening upper edge 11d of the shell 11 to
facilitate engagement thereto. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a first
inner wall 202c and a second inner wall 202d of the bumper 202
resides adjacent the outer surface 18 of the shell 11 and the
flange 208 is positioned between the frontal opening upper edge 11d
and a front pad 302 of the internal pad assembly 300. The bumper
202 contains an outer surface or panel that allows for indicia,
such as the manufacturer of the helmet 10, or the name of a team of
the wearer 500. Because the nuts 206a, 206b are internally retained
within the pocket 205 and there is no faceguard connection point at
the brow region 11c, the helmet 10 lacks any externally visible
fastener hardware at the brow region 11c. In contrast, conventional
helmets utilize external fastening hardware to secure the faceguard
to the bumper and helmet, which reduces the aesthetic appearance of
the conventional helmet.
[0059] FIGS. 11-16 show the shell 11 having a transition region TR,
where the thickness of the shell 11 varies from a first thickness
at the front portion 21 of the shell 11 to the rear portion 20 of
the shell 11. In the embodiment shown, the transition region TR is
a transverse band that extends between the symmetric left and right
side regions 24a,b of the shell 11, preferably rearward of the ear
openings 12. Preferably, the transition region extends from the
lower shell edge 22 of the left shell portion 22a to the lower
shell edge 22 of the right shell portion 22b. The transition region
TR intersects and includes the raised central band 60 that extends
from the front shell portion 21 and along the crown 19. The
transition region TR is roughly 1 inch wide and the thickness of
the shell 11 transitions from about 0.125 inches in the front shell
portion 21 to about 0.100 inches in the rear shell portion 20. This
reduction in width reduces the weight of the helmet 10, and the
amount of raw material used to form the shell 11. FIG. 12 provides
a frontal view of the helmet 10, with a central axis A-A dividing
the shell 11 into the left region 24a and right region 24b. The
shell 11 includes an internal rib extending along the inner shell
surface 17 from the rear shell portion 20 upward through the crown
19 and towards the front shell portion 21. Section plane 13-13,
corresponding to the cross-section of FIG. 13, is taken slightly
right of the central axis A-A (as viewed in the Fig.) and beyond
the internal rib on the left shell portion 22a. Referring to FIGS.
14, the shell 11 has a frontal shell segment with a first thickness
T1 forward of the transition region TR and a rear shell segment
with a second thickness T2 rearward of the transition region TR,
wherein the first thickness T1 exceeds the second thickness T2.
[0060] Referring to the schematic views of FIGS. 15 and 16, the
transition region TR extends between the two thicknesses T1, T2.
The first thickness T1 is defined between an inner frontal shell
surface 17a and the outer shell surface 18, while the second
thickness T2 is defined between an inner rear shell surface 17b and
the outer shell surface 18. The inner frontal shell surface 17a has
a first radius of curvature 212 and a tangential arrow 212a
thereof, as well as a second radius of curvature 214 and a
tangential arrow 214a thereof. To provide a substantially smooth
configuration to the inner shell surface 17 that avoids abrupt or
sharp changes to the shell geometry, it is preferable that the
transition region TR has a radius of curvature 216 (see FIG. 16)
that is tangential to both the frontal shell surface 17a and the
rear shell surface 17b proximate the arrows 212a, 214a,
respectively
[0061] While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications come to mind without
significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the
scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the
accompanying Claims.
* * * * *