CN110613202B

CN110613202B - Extension connector of riding helmet matching system

Info

Publication number: CN110613202B
Application number: CN201910407816.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 迈克尔·J·马索
Original assignee: Bell Sports Inc
Current assignee: Bell Sports Inc
Priority date: 2018-06-18
Filing date: 2019-05-16
Publication date: 2022-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 2039-05-16
Also published as: US20190380418A1; CN110613202A; EP3583862A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a helmet for protecting the head of a user. Such a helmet comprises: an inner liner having an outer shell and an energy management layer, wherein the energy management layer comprises: an inner surface and a lower edge surrounding the inner surface at the helmet opening; at least two attachment points located on the inner surface near the lower edge; at least one flexible forehead strap offset inwardly from the inner surface with the lower edge of the energy management layer; at least two bosses, each boss including an insert and a club head, wherein the cross-section of the club head is greater than the cross-section of the insert, wherein the insert is connected to and projects from the flexible forehead band toward the inner surface, and the club head is connected to the inner surface at one of at least two connection points; and a continuous gap between the inner surface and a flexible forehead strap extending around the entire lower edge.

Description

Extension connector of riding helmet matching system

Related patent application

The present invention claims priority to us provisional patent application No. 62/686,610 filed 2018, 6, 18, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to helmets, and more particularly to cycling helmets having a continuous gap that allows airflow over the head of the user, thereby reducing heat buildup and retention.

Background

Serious injury or death may result from physical impact on the human head. Therefore, to reduce the likelihood of such consequences, it is common to use protective devices such as helmets in sports where the head is susceptible to injury. Examples of such motions include, but are not limited to: skiing, snowboarding, cycling, roller skating, rock climbing, skateboarding, and motorcycling. Generally, helmets are designed to remain structurally intact and to ensure the safety of the user's head in the event of an impact.

Riding helmets are therefore designed to protect the head of a user, where such protection includes absorbing and dissipating energy from the riding helmet upon impact with a surface such as the ground. In this regard, most riding helmets are designed to withstand only a single impact and are later replaced with a new helmet. Also, the interior of the cycling helmet may include energy management materials such as padding and/or foam array structures, where such energy management materials cover and contact important areas of the user's head. In this manner, the energy management material may directly or indirectly contact the head of the user. However, when the helmet is worn while performing physical activities, the above arrangement may result in undesirable heat build-up and/or heat retention. At the same time, this heat build-up and/or heat retention can be exacerbated under conditions such as when the rider is playing in a warm environment or training.

Some helmets have been provided with openings and channels in the helmet to try to reduce heat retention. Wherein the openings and channels serve to lift the movement of air over the head of the user. For example, one type of helmet known includes a front inlet formed in the helmet shell to provide an intake air flow over and above the forehead of the user. Wherein the passageway is located above and around the crown region and the rear outlet associated with the passageway is adapted to discharge the airflow provided through the front inlet when the user moves forwardly relative to the floor. However, in such prior helmets, the energy management material is in direct contact with the user's head.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides in one aspect a helmet for protecting a head of a user, the helmet comprising: at least one liner comprising: an enclosure and an energy management layer, the energy management layer comprising: an inner surface and a lower edge surrounding the inner surface at a helmet opening for receiving a head of a helmet wearer; at least two attachment points located on the inner surface adjacent the lower edge; at least one flexible forehead strap offset inwardly from the inner surface with the lower edge of the energy management layer; at least two bosses, wherein each boss includes an insert and a club head, the club head having a cross-section greater than the cross-section of the insert, wherein the insert is connected to and projects from the at least one flexible forehead band toward the inner surface, and the club head is connected to the inner surface at one of at least two connection points; a continuous gap between the inner surface and the flexible forehead band extending around the entire lower edge; and an adjustable connector connected to each end of the at least one flexible forehead strap and used to adjust the circumference of the flexible forehead strap, wherein the adjustable connector includes a knob that decreases in circumference when the knob is rotated in a first direction and increases in circumference when the knob is rotated in a second direction different from the first direction.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features. Each of the at least two connection points includes a hole, wherein the length of the plunger is greater than the depth of the hole, and the plunger is slidably connected within the hole. A first of the at least two connection points is located at a right front portion of the interior surface and a second of the at least two connection points is located at a left front portion of the interior surface. The at least two connection points may include two pairs of connection points, wherein a first pair of connection points is located at a right front portion of the liner and a second pair of connection points is located at a left front portion of the liner, and wherein the at least two prongs include two pairs of prongs located on the at least one flexible forehead strap and positioned to connect the two pairs of connection points. The continuous gap has a width between 1/16 inches and 1/4 inches.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a helmet for protecting a user's head, the helmet comprising: at least one liner comprising: an enclosure and an energy management layer, the energy management layer comprising: an inner surface and a lower edge surrounding the inner surface at a helmet opening for receiving a head of a helmet wearer; at least two attachment points located on the inner surface adjacent the lower edge; at least one flexible forehead strap offset inwardly from the inner surface with the lower edge of the energy management layer and connected to the inner surface at least two connection points; a connection point gap separating the inner surface from the at least one flexible forehead band at each of the at least two connection points, the connection point gap having a width of at least 1/16 inches; and an adjustable connector connected to the at least one flexible forehead strap, the adjustable connector for adjusting a circumference of the at least one flexible forehead strap.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features. Each of the at least two connection points includes a hole, wherein the plunger is slidably connected with the hole and a portion of the plunger remains outside of the hole. A first of the at least two connection points is located at a right front portion of the interior surface and a second of the at least two connection points is located at a left front portion of the interior surface. The at least one flexible forehead strap may include at least two prongs, each of the at least two prongs including an insert and a club head, the cross-section of the club head being greater than the cross-section of the insert, wherein the insert is connected to the at least one flexible forehead strap and projects from the at least one flexible forehead strap towards the inner surface, and the club head is connected to the inner surface at one of the at least two connection points. Each connection point is for receiving a pair of prongs, and the at least two prongs include at least two pairs of prongs located on the at least one flexible forehead band and positioned to connect the first connection point and the second connection point. The width of the connection point gap is 1/4 inches or less. The adjustable connector includes a knob that decreases in circumference when turned in a first direction and increases in circumference when turned in a second direction different from the first direction.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a helmet for protecting the head of a user, the helmet comprising: at least one liner comprising: the shell and energy management layer, the energy management layer includes: an inner surface and a lower edge surrounding the inner surface at a helmet opening for receiving a head of a helmet wearer; at least two attachment points located on the inner surface adjacent the lower edge; at least one flexible forehead strap offset inwardly from the inner surface with the lower edge of the energy management layer, and the at least one flexible forehead strap connected to the inner surface at least two connection points; and a continuous gap between the inner surface and the flexible forehead band at each of the at least two connection points.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features. Each of the at least two connection points includes a hole, wherein the length of the plunger is greater than the depth of the hole and a portion of the plunger remains outside of the hole. The helmet further includes a connection point gap separating the inner surface from the at least one flexible forehead band at each connection point, the connection point gap having a width of at least 1/16 inches. A first of the at least two connection points is located at a right front portion of the inner surface adjacent the lower edge and a second of the at least two connection points is located at a left front portion of the inner surface adjacent the lower edge, wherein the at least two connection points are located, in use, proximate the temple of the helmet wearer. The helmet also includes at least two temples, each of the at least two temples including an insert and a head, the head having a cross-section greater than the insert, wherein the insert is connected to and projects from the at least one flexible forehead band toward the inner surface, and the head is connected to the inner surface at one of the at least two connection points. Each connection point is for receiving a pair of prongs, and the at least two prongs include at least two pairs of prongs located on the at least one flexible forehead band and positioned to connect to the first connection point and the second connection point. The width of the continuous gap is between 1/16 inches and 1/4 inches. The helmet also includes an adjustable connector coupled to the at least one flexible forehead strap, the adjustable connector for adjusting a circumference of the at least one flexible forehead strap.

Hereinafter, the gist and mode of application of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the specification and the drawings. Where the words and phrases in the specification and claims are intended to set forth the common, used and used meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, unless otherwise indicated. At the same time, the inventors are fully aware that the meaning of a word can be defined by itself, if necessary. Wherein the inventor has explicitly chosen to explicitly state the meaning of his or her self-defining word and further explicitly pointed out that "special" definition of a term and explains how it differs from general and usual meanings, except that the specification and claims use only general and usual meanings of these terms. Accordingly, the inventors intend the specification and claims to be interpreted in their ordinary, customary, and customary meaning as the term is set forth herein, when the specification and claims do not expressly state a "special" meaning.

At the same time, the inventors also know the normal grammatical rules. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is to be further expressed, characterized, or otherwise narrowed in some way, it will, of course, include other adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers that meet the rules of grammar. Rather, the inventors intend these nouns, terms, or phrases to be construed using their ordinary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art without the use of the above-mentioned adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers.

In addition, the inventors are fully aware of the guidelines and usage of the particular clauses in section 6, volume 35, section 112, of U.S. code. Thus, the use of "function," "means," or "step" in the detailed description, the accompanying descriptive section, or the claims is not intended to define the invention by reference to the special clauses in section 6, section 112, volume 35, U.S. code. Conversely, if the inventor wishes to define the invention by citing specific clauses in section 112, item 6, of the U.S. codex 35, the claims hereof specifically and explicitly define the phrases "means for.. or" step for.. and also incorporate "function" (i.e., define it as "means for performing the …' insert function"), but such phrases are not intended to limit any structure, any material, or any act to the stated function. Thus, even when the claims define "means for.. or" step for.. if the claims also define any structure, material, or acts for supporting the means or steps or for performing the defined functions, it is to be understood that the inventors do not expressly cite the clause of article 6, section 112, volume 35, of U.S. code. Furthermore, even if article 6, section 112 of the U.S. code 35 is cited to define the technical gist of protection, the inventor does not intend to limit the technical gist only to the specific structure, material or acts described in the preferred embodiments of the present invention, because in addition to this, the technical gist also includes all the structures, materials or acts described in the alternative embodiments or alternatives in the present invention to perform the functions defined in the claims, or the technical gist also includes equivalent structures, materials or acts known or later developed to perform the functions defined in the claims.

Therefore, the foregoing and other technical features, technical advantages, and technical advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the present invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

Drawings

A written description will be given in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and:

FIG. 1 shows a rider wearing a riding helmet;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a prior art helmet showing the attachment point of the forehead strap to the inner liner;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a cycling helmet with a mating system and internal ventilation system in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a bottom view of a cycling helmet with a mating system and internal ventilation system in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a close-up view of the portion of FIG. 4A surrounding the connector;

FIG. 5 is a partial close-up view of the cycling helmet of FIG. 4A with the forehead strap and mating system removed, showing the receiving features of the connector;

FIG. 6A is a front view of the forehead strap of the fitting system;

FIG. 6B is a top view of the forehead strap of FIG. 6A; and

figure 7 is a schematic view, partly in section, of the helmet of figure 3 showing the head of a user fastened, showing the airflow through the helmet.

Detailed Description

While this disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments, 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 scope of the invention to that as illustrated.

In the drawings of the present invention, reference is first made to fig. 1, wherein a user 2 riding a bicycle 4 is shown, and such user 2 is wearing a riding helmet 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As will be discussed further below, when the user 2 pedals the bicycle 4 to ride forward, airflow will pass through the riding helmet 10 and over the user's head 6, thereby cooling the user's head 6.

Fig. 2 shows a helmet 8 with an inner liner that includes an outer shell 22 and an energy management layer 24, a flexible forehead strap 14, an adjustable connector 18, and a chin strap 20. In this example, while there is a gap 9 in the front of the helmet between flexible forehead strap 14 and energy management layer 24, there is a strong, tight connection between the connection of flexible forehead strap 14 and energy management layer 24 and no gap. This gap-free connection limits some of the airflow through the helmet and fitting system.

Fig. 3-5 show a cycling helmet 10 of an embodiment of the present invention, such cycling helmet 10 comprising: a liner 12, a flexible forehead strap 14, a continuous gap 16, an adjustable connector 18, and a chin strap 20. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inner liner 12 includes an outer shell 22 and an energy management layer 24. And in some embodiments of the invention, only the energy management layer 24 may be used. Wherein the housing 22 may comprise a plastic material such as polycarbonate; in yet other embodiments of the present invention, the housing 22 may also or alternatively include: KEVLAR (KEVLAR), ABS plastic, carbon fiber, glass fiber, and the like. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the energy management layer 24 comprises Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). In yet other embodiments, the energy management layer 24 may also or alternatively include: expanded polystyrene (EPP) or other materials for energy management or energy absorption. As is well known, chinstrap 20 includes a connecting segment that can be used to connect one or both of outer shell 22 and energy management layer 24 to thereby fasten riding helmet 10 to the head 6 of the user. Here, the energy management layer 24 includes an inner surface 40, the inner surface 40 having a front portion 26 that covers the forehead of the user, a top portion 32 that covers the crown area of the head 6 of the user, and a rear portion 34 that at least partially covers the occipital area of the head of the user, where the front portion 26 has a right front portion 28 on the right side and a left front portion 30 on the left side.

In the field of cycling, the embodiment of cycling helmet 10 illustrated in fig. 1-4A is typically a "road" helmet, which is typically suitable for both recreational cycling and some athletic cycling. It should be understood that the principles and teachings discussed herein are equally applicable to other applications such as: other types of cycling helmets, such as "sprinter" helmets, aviation helmets ("aero" helmets), and any other helmet that includes an adjustable fit system inside the helmet. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the design of the thrust helmet is more aerodynamic than a conventional road helmet, and therefore the curve of the outer shell 22 of such a thrust helmet is smoother and the ventilation openings 36 are less. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that an aircraft helmet having a substantially streamlined profile approximating a "drop-like" structure is more aerodynamic. At the same time, the aircraft helmet also reduces the number of ventilation openings 36 as much as possible, and in many cases the aircraft helmet may not be provided with any ventilation openings 36. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the benefits and advantages associated with the principles and teachings discussed in the present specification will be more readily apparent to users as the number of ventilation openings 36 in cycling helmet 10 is reduced.

As shown in fig. 3-5, riding helmet 10 includes at least one flexible forehead strap 14, where flexible forehead strap 14 extends around lower edge 38 of energy management layer 24, and where flexible forehead strap 14 defines continuous gap 16 between user's head 6 and inner surface 40 of energy management layer 24 while adjustably contacting user's head 6 to support riding helmet 10. In some embodiments of the invention, the flexible forehead strap 14 may also extend over the head 6 of the user, starting from the forehead region of the user and extending over the crown region to the occipital region. In such an embodiment, the continuous gap 16 may also extend across the outer surface of the user's head 6 from the forehead region of the user to the occipital region across the crown region (see fig. 7).

As shown in fig. 3-6B, flexible forehead strap 14 includes at least two or more prongs 42 extending from an outer surface of flexible forehead strap 14, and prongs 42 are attachable to corresponding attachment points 48 on inner surface 40 of energy management layer 24. The two or more prongs 42 are longer than the prongs on prior helmets (as shown in fig. 2), and thus such prongs 42 may extend the connection between the flexible forehead strap 14 and the energy management layer 24 and may form a continuous gap 16 between the inner surface 40 of the energy management layer 24 and the flexible forehead strap 14. Wherein each prong 42 extends outwardly from flexible forehead strap 14, and wherein each prong 42 includes a plunger 44 and a head 46. Wherein the length "L" of the plunger 44 is sufficient to span the continuous gap 16 and attach the tip 46 to a corresponding attachment point 48 on the inner surface 40 of the energy management layer 24. Here, the connection point 48 may be a receiving member including a flexible inlet 49, such that the club head 46 may be passed through the flexible inlet 49 to the receiving member upon application of a force, and the flexible inlet 49 may be sized to be smaller than the maximum size of the club head 46 after the club head 46 is passed through the flexible inlet 49 and into the receiving member. In forming the energy management material, the connection points 48 may be formed by in-molded (in-molded) in the energy management material, or the connection points 48 may be added by a known method after the energy management material is formed. The head 46 of the tang 42 may have various shapes. As shown in FIG. 5, the head 46 of the tang 42 may have a mushroom-like shape so that such head 46 may be embedded in the connection point 48. Alternatively, the club head 46 may have a T-shape or any other shape, and the club head may be attached to the attachment point 48 in a variety of ways, such as by using adhesives, clips, pliers, snaps, hooks, loops, or other types of fasteners. In some embodiments of the invention, the interior of the connection point 48 is deeper than the maximum dimension of the club head 46, so that the club head 46 can still move within the connection point 48 when the club head 46 is positioned within the connection point 48, thereby allowing the engagement system to conform to the shape and size of the wearer's head by additional movement between the engagement system and the inner surface 40 of the energy management layer 24.

Each flexible forehead strap 14 may have a pair of rails 50 that may be connected at intervals by a transverse rib 52. The pair of rails 50 may cooperate with the transverse rib 52 and generally define a plurality of ventilation apertures 54 in the flexible forehead strap 14 in the form of extension slots 56. These vent holes 54 may further improve the ventilation of the flexible forehead strap 14 by maximizing the reduction in the total surface area of the flexible forehead strap 14 that is in close contact with the user's head 6. Alternatively, the flexible forehead strap 14 may have a rail 50 that blocks the vent 54. In some embodiments of the present invention, however, flexible forehead band 14 may be formed from a substantially inflexible but flexible material such as rubber, plastic, carbon fiber, and the like. The flexible forehead strap 14 may also include other materials such as coatings or other comfortable padding to fit the user's head 6 (engagment).

When riding helmet 10 is properly worn, flexible forehead strap 14 may extend laterally from the forehead of the user, around the side of the user's head 6, and into adjustable connector 18 (shown in fig. 3 and 6A) after passing generally over the user's temple 64 (shown in fig. 1 and 7). In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown in fig. 3, adjustable connector 18 may directly contact the user's head 6 and include an actuator 58 (e.g., a dial, knob, or other adjuster for winding in or out of end 60 of flexible forehead strap 14) to thereby adjust the circumference of flexible forehead strap 14. For example, flexible forehead strap 14 may be applied to a user's head 6 by rolling in end 60 of flexible forehead strap 14, while flexible forehead strap 14 may be released from a user's head 6 by rolling out end 60 of flexible forehead strap 14. In this case, the flexible forehead strap 14 is adjustable depending on the size of the user's head 6. Also, it should be understood that flexible forehead strap 14 does not have to be used or coupled to adjustable connector 18. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, flexible forehead strap 14 may have a substantially fixed size and configuration and may accommodate changes in the size or shape of the user's head through the flexibility of the material of flexible forehead strap 14. Also, unlike the flexible forehead strap 14 described above, certain embodiments of the present invention may also or alternatively include a mating adjustment feature or structure. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the ends 60 of the flexible forehead strap 14 may terminate adjacent the rear portion 34 of the energy management layer 24 and may be provided with a separate strap, or similar structure that extends generally around the rear occipital region of the user's head 6. The above-mentioned strips, bands or similar structures are formed of elastic material, such as elastic, which is stretchable and thus naturally adjustable; also, the straps, bands or the like described above may be operatively connected to an adjustable connector similar to the adjustable connector 18 described above.

Referring specifically to fig. 4A, in some particular embodiments of the invention, the continuous gap 16 may extend around the entire lower edge 38 of the energy management layer 24, wherein such lower edge 38 is defined on one side of the interior surface 40 of the energy management layer 24 and on one side of the flexible forehead strap 14. In some particular embodiments, the continuous gap 16 is maintained at least in the front half of the helmet. In some embodiments, the continuous gap is between 1/16 inches and 1/4 inches. The protruding feet 42 (shown in fig. 3) in the present embodiment are longer than the conventional protruding feet 42 (shown in fig. 2), thereby allowing some movement of riding helmet 10 relative to adjustable connector 18 and user's head 6. Also, because the plunger 44 of each tang 42 is thinner than the flexible inlet 49 and the connection point 48 in the riding helmet 10 is deeper than the size of the club head 46, the continuous gap 16 is a flexible gap that can be extended to its maximum size or reduced to a smaller size as needed, thereby allowing the riding helmet 10 to "float" relative to the flexible forehead strap 14 and allowing the adjustable connector 18 of the helmet to be more tailored to a particular head shape and size. When riding helmet 10 is worn, flexible forehead strap 14 may be in intimate contact with the user's head 6, while inner surface 40 of riding helmet 10 may be spaced apart from the user's head 6 to form continuous gap 16.

The continuous gap 16 includes a connection point gap 62 at each connection point 48. Specifically, as shown, by the connection between the flexible forehead strap 14 and the interior surface 40, the continuous gap 16 may be unobstructed and remain open at each connection point 48. Further, the air flow can be allowed to enter the continuous gap 16 unrestricted at any location on the lower edge 38 of the energy management layer 24.

As shown in fig. 5, the energy management layer 24 includes at least one connection point 48 on each side of the front of the helmet, and in some particular embodiments, there are two connection points 48 on each side of the front of the helmet that are located near the lower edge 38 of the energy management layer 24. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the connection points 48 are located about one-quarter to one-third of the helmet perimeter from the center of the front portion 26 of the energy management layer 24, with at least one connection point 48 on each side of the riding helmet 10. Alternatively, some of the connection points 48 may be located anywhere along the lower edge 38 of the energy management layer 24, while other connection points 48 may be located anywhere on the inner surface 40. In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown in fig. 4B, the connection point 48 may be integrally formed with the energy management layer 24 and substantially planar with the inner surface 40 of the cycling helmet 10. With flexible forehead strap 14 more inward than interior surface 40, tang 42 may maintain continuous gap 16. In yet other embodiments of the present invention, a helmet may comprise: attachment points 48 in the form of generally inwardly extending raised projections, and standoffs, posts, spacers, etc. attached to the energy management layer 24. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, flexible forehead strap 14 may be secured to attachment point 48 by prongs 42. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, flexible forehead strap 14 may also be secured to connection point 48 by fasteners such as clips, clamps, snaps, hooks, loops, and other types of fasteners.

As shown in fig. 7, the continuous gap 16 allows air to enter between the energy management layer 24 and the user's head 6. Because the inner surface 40 of the energy management layer 24 is spaced from the user's head 6, ventilation air can flow through the continuous gap 16 and circulate between both the user's head 6 and the inner surface 40. This continuous gap 16 can be provided in both helmets having a plurality of ventilation openings 36 and helmets having few or no ventilation openings 36, such as the thrust helmets and aviation helmets discussed above. Thus, heat accumulation and retention inside the helmet can be reduced.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A helmet for protecting a user's head, the helmet comprising:

at least one liner comprising: an enclosure and an energy management layer, the energy management layer comprising: an inner surface and a lower edge surrounding the inner surface at a helmet opening for receiving the head of the user;

at least two attachment points located on the inner surface near the lower edge;

at least one flexible forehead strap offset inwardly from the inner surface with a lower edge of the energy management layer;

at least two bosses, each of the at least two bosses including an insert and a club head, the club head having a cross-section greater than a cross-section of the insert, wherein the insert is connected to and projects from the flexible forehead band toward the interior surface, and the club head is connected to the interior surface at one of the at least two connection points; and

a continuous gap between the inner surface and at least one of the flexible forehead straps extending around the entire lower edge, the continuous gap being a flexible gap and configured to extend between a maximum size and a smaller size by moving each of the pegs out of and into a flexible entrance of each connection point without separating the club head from the inner surface, thereby allowing the flexible forehead strap to float relative to the helmet.

2. The helmet of claim 1, wherein each of the insert rods has a length greater than a depth of each of the flexible inlets in which the insert rods are slidably coupled.

3. The helmet of claim 1, a first connection point of the at least two connection points located at a right front portion of the inner surface, and a second connection point of the at least two connection points located at a left front portion of the inner surface.

4. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the at least two connection points comprise two pairs of connection points, wherein a first pair of connection points is located at a right front portion of the liner and a second pair of connection points is located at a left front portion of the liner, and wherein the at least two prongs comprise two pairs of prongs located on the flexible forehead band and positioned to connect the two pairs of connection points.

5. The helmet of claim 1, the continuous gap having a width between 1/16 inches and 1/4 inches.

6. A helmet for protecting a user's head, the helmet comprising:

at least two pairs of attachment points located on the inner surface adjacent the lower edge;

at least one flexible forehead strap inwardly offset from the inner surface with the lower edge of the energy management layer and connected to the inner surface at the at least two pairs of connection points by at least two pairs of prongs, wherein each pair of prongs is slidably connected to a corresponding pair of connection points by a pair of flexible inlets on a pair of connection points;

a connection point gap separating the inner surface from the at least one flexible forehead strap at each pair of connection points, the connection point gap being a flexible gap configured to extend between a maximum size and a smaller size depending on the position of each pair of prongs within each pair of flexible inlets; and

an adjustable connector connected to the at least one flexible forehead strap, the adjustable connector configured to adjust a circumference of the at least one flexible forehead strap.

7. The helmet of claim 6, wherein each spur of the at least two pairs of spurs comprises a plunger and a rod head, and wherein the plunger is slidably connected with a corresponding flexible inlet and a portion of the plunger is configured to remain outside of the flexible inlet.

8. The helmet of claim 6, a first connection point of the at least two pairs of connection points located at a right front portion of the inner surface, a second connection point of the at least two pairs of connection points located at a left front portion of the inner surface.

9. The helmet of claim 8, wherein each of the at least two pairs of prongs includes an insert and a club head, the club head including a cross-section greater than a cross-section of the insert, wherein the insert is connected to the flexible forehead band and projects from the at least one flexible forehead band toward the inner surface, and the club head is connected to the inner surface at a corresponding one of the at least two pairs of connection points.

10. The helmet of claim 6, wherein the connection point has a width of 1/4 inches or less.

11. The helmet of claim 6, wherein the adjustable connector comprises a knob, the circumference decreasing when the knob is turned in a first direction, and the circumference increasing when the knob is turned in a second direction different from the first direction.

12. A helmet for protecting a user's head, the helmet comprising:

at least one flexible forehead strap offset inwardly from the inner surface with a lower edge of the energy management layer, and connected to the inner surface at the at least two connection points;

at least two bosses, each of the at least two bosses including an insert and a club head, the club head having a cross-section greater than a cross-section of the insert, wherein the insert is connected to and projects from the at least one flexible forehead band toward the inner surface, and the club head is connected to the inner surface at one of the at least two connection points;

at least two flexible inlets located at the at least two connection points and configured to receive the at least two tangs, wherein each flexible inlet is configured to expand to a size large enough to allow a club head of the respective tang to pass through the flexible inlet, and each flexible inlet is configured to restrict to a size less than a maximum size of the club head after the club head passes through the flexible inlet; and

a continuous gap between the inner surface and the at least one flexible forehead strap at each of the at least two connection points, the continuous gap being a flexible gap and configured to extend between a maximum size and a smaller size in response to movement of the at least one club head within the at least one connection point when the at least one flexible forehead strap is fitted to the user's head.

13. The helmet of claim 12, wherein the insert rod has a length greater than a depth of the flexible inlet, and a portion of the insert rod is configured to remain outside of the flexible inlet.

14. The helmet of claim 12, wherein the width of the continuous gap is at least 1/16 inches.

15. The helmet of claim 14, a first connection point of the at least two connection points located at a right front portion of the inner surface near the lower edge, a second connection point of the at least two connection points located at a left front portion of the inner surface near the lower edge, wherein the at least two connection points are proximate to the user's head in use.

16. The helmet of claim 15, wherein each of the connection points is configured to receive a pair of prongs, and wherein the at least two prongs include at least two pairs of prongs located on the flexible forehead band and positioned to connect the first connection point and the second connection point.

17. The helmet of claim 12, the continuous gap having a width between 1/16 inches and 1/4 inches.

18. The helmet of claim 12, further comprising an adjustable connector coupled to the at least one flexible forehead strap, the adjustable connector configured to adjust a circumference of the at least one flexible forehead strap.

19. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising: an adjustable connector connected to each end of the at least one flexible forehead strap and used to adjust the circumference of the flexible forehead strap, wherein the adjustable connector includes a knob that decreases when turned in a first direction and increases when turned in a second direction different from the first direction.