FI124706B - Goalie helmet with a new strap arrangement - Google Patents

Description

GOAL Helmet WITH NEW HMNA TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to helmets, particularly goalie helmets, used in contact sports such as ice hockey.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typical goalie helmets are formed of a mask and a backplate that work together to substantially encircle the wearer's head. The backsheet and mask are generally connected to each other by a plurality of straps extending along the exterior surface of the backsheet and received through openings formed at the edges of the mask. An essential part of the straps is left exposed and the belt may be damaged or tangled during use. In addition, the adjusting mechanisms of the prior art helmets are difficult to operate, whereby the goalkeeper may need the help of another person to adequately adjust his or her helmet.

Therefore, improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention relates to an improved sports helmet, in particular an improved goalie helmet.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a goalie helmet comprising a mask adapted to cover the front of the wearer's head and a face which g) comprises a window formed therein to minimize mask-induced visibility x, is adapted to cover the rear of the wearer's head, which backsheet and cooperate to substantially encircle the wearer's head, and a plurality of straps connecting the backsheet and the mask, at least one of which is joined to the mask by its inner surface.

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According to the present invention, there is also provided a sports helmet comprising a mask adapted to cover the front of the wearer's head, a rear plate adapted to cover the rear of the user's head which cooperates with the mask to surround the head, and a plurality of straps connecting the front and rear which are connected to the mask along its inner surface.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling a goalie helmet comprising attaching each strap set to each inner surface of the helmet mask, attaching a respective adjusting member to respective strap adjusting means of the rear helmet panel and securing the opposite end of each strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a specific embodiment of the present invention, in which:

Fig. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a goalkeeper helmet in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention with 20 inner cushion layers removed for clarity;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the goalie helmet of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the goalie helmet of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the goalie helmet of Figure 1 shown with an inner cushion layer.

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ό DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

i O) C \ l x The accompanying drawings refer generally to the hockey goalie helmet

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10. Although the present invention is described with reference to and applied to a t-30 ice hockey goalkeeper, it will be appreciated that the invention may also be applicable to other types of helmets, such as, for example, lacrosse helmets,

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baseball helmets and American football helmets.

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The helmet 10 comprises a front cover or mask 12 and a back cover or back plate 14 which cooperate to surround the wearer's head. In the illustrated embodiment, the mask 12 is adapted to substantially protect the user's face as well as the front of the head.

The mask 12 thus comprises a mask upper portion 16 (Figures 2 to 3) covering the top of the head, a mask front 18 (Figures 1 to 3) extending from the top of the mask 16 over most of the face, a bottom 20 of the mask facing the front 18 of the mask below to protect the jaw and neck, and mask side portions 22 extending between the upper and lower portions 16, 20 of the mask on each side 10 of the mask front 18 to cover the ears and the back of the jaw. As can be seen from Figures 1-3, the front face 18 of the mask includes a window 24 formed therethrough that minimizes the interference caused by the mask 12 to the user's vision. A plurality of protective members 26 extend across the window 24 so as to prevent foreign objects, such as a disk, from passing through it.

The backsheet 14 is adapted to substantially cover the back of the wearer's head, and during operation partially protrudes from the mask 12 to ensure coverage of the head at the junction of the mask 12 and backsheet 14.

The mask 12 and backsheet 14 may be made of any type of sufficient material 20 including, but not limited to, fiber reinforced materials, thermoplastics, and combinations thereof.

Referring to Figures 2-3, the rear panel 14 includes an adjusting mechanism comprising a left and right lower adjusting member 28, 30, a left and right upper adjusting member 32, o 25 34 and an upper adjusting member 36. The lower adjusting members 28, 30 are connected, preferably ό integrally, to 38 fixed to the outer surface i σ> 40 of the rear plate 14 near the center of its lower edge 42. The upper adjusting members 32, 34 and the upper adjusting member x 36 are connected, also preferably in an integrated manner, to the upper plate 44, which is CL.

fixed to the upper surface 40 of the rear plate 14 from the lower plate 38 upwardly. The upper 'φ h-30 and the lower plate 44, 38 are secured to the rear plate 14 by any suitable means o, such as a corresponding screw 46.

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The mask 12 and the rear plate 14 are secured to one another by the left and right side straps 48, 50, respectively, and enter the lower and left lower adjusting members 28, 30, respectively, and the left and right upper side straps 52, 54, respectively. to the regulating member 36.

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Figure 4 illustrates a specific embodiment of the upper left adjusting member 32, which will be described below, and wherein the other adjusting members 28, 30, 34, 36 are similar to the upper left adjusting member 32. The upper left adjusting member 32 includes a first fixed member 58 secured to a a parallel arm 60, 10 extending from opposite sides of a first fixed member 58, and a hinge 62 and a second fixed member 66 extending between two fixed arms 60. The hinge 62 is disposed between the fixed members 58, 66 at a distance from them. The clamping member 64 includes an eccentric 65 hingedly attached to a hinge 62 and a finger 67 extending from the eccentric 65. The clamping member 64 is hinged between the 15 closed and open positions, with the finger 67 facing the other fixed member 66 in the closed position and the finger in the open position 67 is away from the second fixed member 66.

As such, the pressing member 64 can be manually removed from the closed position when the length of the strap 52 between the mask 12 and the rear panel 14 is to be adjusted. When the clamping member 64 is pivoted away from the closed position, the strap 52 is free to move between the finger 67 and the second closed member 66, allowing the strap 52 to be pulled in each direction to adjust its length. The pressing member 64 is then returned to its closed position against the second fixed member 66 when the desired length of the belt 52 δ 25 is reached.

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ό σ> As such, the helmet 10 can be adjusted with the wearer's head simply x by grasping the adjusting members 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, detaching the respective compression member 64

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from its closed position by adjusting the length of the respective belt 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 and h-30 re-engaging the respective press member 64 in its closed position.

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It will be appreciated that a plurality of alternating adjusting members may be used as long as each adjusting member 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 can hold the respective strap 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 at a desired length and allow the desired length to be varied. In an alternative embodiment, the belts 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 are made of a flexible material and the adjusting members 28, 30, 5 32, 34, 36 can be omitted.

Figures 1-3 illustrate how the lower left and right lower side belts 48, 50, respectively, extend through the left lower 72 and the lower right hole 72 formed by the lower left and right lower adjusting members 28, 30. Subsequently, the lower left and right lower side straps 48, 50 are connected, preferably with attachment, to the left and right attachment points 74, 76, respectively, formed on the outer surface 77 of the lower mask portion 20. Removable engagement between the mask 12 and lower lateral straps 48, 50 through.

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In Figures 2-3, the left and right side straps 52, 54, respectively, extend through the left and right upper holes 78, 80 formed by the left and right upper adjusting members 32, 34. Hereby, the left and right upper side straps 52, 54 pass through the left and right guide members 82, 84, respectively (see Figures 1 and 4) 20, extending from the inner face 86 of the mask 12 along a respective second side mask portion 22. In particular, 54 is then secured to the same engaging member 88 which in turn is connected to the inner surface of the mask 12 with a portion of the upper portion 16 of the mask adapted to be substantially over the user's forehead and thus adjacent the window 24.

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lin The upper strap 56 extends through the upper hole 90 (see Fig. 2) formed from the upper adjusting member 36 to the rear panel 14 and is connected to the coupling member 88 (see x Fig. 3) together with the upper side straps 52, 54.

Fig. 4 illustrates how the helmet 10 further comprises an inner padding layer 92, comprising a mask padding layer 94 attached to the inner surface of the mask 12 and a backboard padding layer 94 affixed to the inner surface 6 of the rear panel 14. The mask padding layer 94 is affixed to the inner face 86 of the mask 12 only along its portion, e.g., along the portion receiving the engaging member 88. As such, the free portions 95 of the mask pad 94 are directed over the mask portion 16 and the mask side portions 22 can move freely relative thereto. Correspondingly, the rear panel cushion layer 96 is attached to the inner surface 98 of the rear panel 14 only along its portion, e.g., along the portion receiving the lower and upper panels 38, 44. As such, the free sections 97 of the rear panel cushions 96 can move freely relative to the rear panel 14.

The inner padding layer 92 may be made of any suitable type of material, including, but not limited to, foam, fabric, sufficient polymer, Styrofoam type material, or any other material that may be sufficient to absorb and / or limit the effects of force on the helmet and / or provide convenience to the user.

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The upper and upper straps 52, 54, 56 extend along the inner surface 98 of the rear panel 14 between the free portions 95 of the inner surface 14 and the rear panel cushion layer 96 and along the inner surface 86 of the mask 12 between the free portions 97 of the mask 12 and the mask cushion layer 94. As such, the tensioning of the straps 52, 54, 56 presses the free portions 95, 97 of the inner padding layer 92 against the wearer's head, thereby providing the helmet 10 with a tighter fit on the wearer's head.

The helmet 10 thus offers several advantages. For example, the belts 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 are oriented mainly inside the helmet 10, so their risk of getting tangled with other equipment or being injured during the game is minimized. The adjusting members 28, 30, 32, 34 provide an easy ό adjustment between the mask 12 and the back plate 14 so that the user can put on the helmet 10 and adjust it without outside help. The upper straps and the upper strap 52, 54, 56 which 1 extend between the inner padding layer 92 and the helmet 10 produce a helmet

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10 improved fitting by adjusting the inner padding layer 92 on the user's head h? 30 around for improved safety and comfort.

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The foregoing description is provided by way of example only, and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention described. For example, the mask 12 and the back plate 14 may be joined by more or less than five straps. The lower side straps 48, 5 50 may also be connected to the inner surface 86 of the mask 12. The adjusting members 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 may be fitted at other locations, e.g., along the respective strap 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 extending between the mask 12 and the rear panel 14. . Other modifications within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims.

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Claims (18)

A goalie helmet (10) comprising: a mask (12) adapted to cover the front of the user's head and face, the mask (12) having a window (42) configured to minimize the user's field of view and having a plurality of protruding members, a rear panel (14) adapted to cover the rear of the user's head, the rear panel (14) cooperating with the mask (12) substantially surrounding the user's head, and a plurality of straps (52, 54, 56), connecting the back plate (14) and the mask (12), characterized in that at least one end of the straps (52, 54, 56) is connected to a coupling member (88) connected to the inner surface of the mask (12) and at least one of the straps (52, 64). , 56) comprises a portion defined by the rear plate (14) to the coupling member (88) and extending primarily within the helmet (10) such that said at least one of the straps (52, 15 54, 56) has a minimal risk of entanglement. swim gear or become damaged during the game. A goalie helmet according to claim 1, wherein the straps (52, 54, 56) are connected to the rear panel (14) by means of an adjustment mechanism that allows the length of the straps (52, 54, 56) between the mask (12) and the rear panel (14). 20 The goalie helmet of claim 2, wherein the adjusting mechanism comprises an adjusting member (28, 30, 32, 34, 36) for each belt (48, 50, 52, 54, 56), each of which adjusting members (28, 30, 32, 34, 36). ) includes a clamping member (64) pivotable between a closed position 25 of the clamping member (64) to prevent length adjustment of the strap (48, 50, 52, 54, 56) and an open position ό releasing the clamping member (64) allowing length adjustment. i O) C \ l The goalie helmet of claim 1, wherein the helmet comprises an inner padding layer (94) of the mask CL facing the inner surface (86) of the mask (12), and at least a portion of φ30 of one of the straps (52, 54, 56) facing the inner padding layer of the mask. (94) and o between the inner surface (86). CM The portion of at least one of the straps (52, 54, 56) of the goalie helmet according to claim 1, which is adjacent the portion of the rear panel (14) to the engaging member (88) extends to the inner surface (98) of the rear panel (14). The goalie helmet of claim 1, wherein the helmet comprises an inner padding layer (96) of the rear panel resting against the inner surface (98) of the rear panel (14) and a portion of at least one of the straps (52, 54, 56) extending to the rear panel padding layers (96) and the like. between the inner surface (98). The goalie helmet of claim 1, wherein at least one of the straps (52, 54, 56) includes an upper strap (56) extending from the rear panel (14) over the inner surface (86) of the mask (12) over the top of the wearer's head. The goalie helmet of claim 1, wherein at least one of the straps 15 (52, 54, 56) includes left and right side straps (52, 54) extending from the rear panel (14) along the inner face (86) of the mask (12) to the left of the user's head and across the right side. A portion of at least one of the straps 20 (52, 54, 56) in the helmet skirt of claim 5 is connected to the rear panel (14) along its outer surface (40) and passes through a corresponding hole (78, 80, 90) formed in the rear panel (14). A goalkeeper helmet (10) comprising: a mask (12) adapted to cover the front of the wearer's head, o 25 a rear plate (14) adapted to cover the rear of the user's head, the rear plate (14) ό acting together with the mask (12). ) with the head, and i σ> a plurality of straps (52, 54, 56) connecting the front and rear panels (12, 14), characterized in that at least one end of the straps (52, 54, 56) is connected to the coupling member (88) connected to the inner surface of the mask (12) and at least one of the straps (52, 54, 56) comprising a portion 30 defined by the rear plate (14) to the engaging member (88) and extending primarily within the helmet o (10) said at least one of the straps (52, 54, 56) has a minimal risk of being trapped or damaged during play. The goalie helmet of claim 10, wherein the straps (52, 54, 56) are connected to the rear panel (14) by means of an adjusting mechanism that allows the length of the straps (52, 54, 56) to be varied between the front and rear panels (12, 14). 5 The goalie helmet of claim 10, wherein the adjusting mechanism comprises an adjusting member (32, 34, 36) for each strap (52, 54, 56), each adjusting member (32, 34, 36) having a pressing member (64) pivotable on the strap (64). 52, 54, 56) between the closed position of the compression member (64) for preventing length adjustment and the release position of the compression member (64) for allowing length adjustment. The goalie helmet of claim 10, wherein the helmet comprises an inner front cushion layer (94) facing the inner surface (86) of the mask (14) and a portion of the straps (52, 54, 56) facing the inner front cushion layer (94) and mask (14). . 15 The goalie helmet of claim 10, wherein the portion of at least one of the straps (52, 54, 56) adjacent the portion of the rear panel (14) extending to the inner surface (98) of the rear panel (14) is a first section, and a second portion of the straps (52, 54, 56) extending from the first portion along the inner surface (98) of the rear plate (14). The goalie helmet of claim 10, wherein the helmet comprises an inner rear cushion layer (96) facing the inner surface (98) of the rear panel (14) and a second portion of the straps (52, 54, 56) facing the rear cushion layer (96) and 14) field, δ g> The goalie helmet of claim 10, wherein the straps (52, 54, 56) x include a top strap (56) extending from the rear panel (14) along the inner surface of the mask (12) above the top of the wearer's head, and left and right. side straps (52, 54) extending LO 30 from the rear panel (14) over the inner face (86) of the mask (12) over the left and right sides of the user's head g, respectively. c \ j The goalie helmet of claim 10, wherein each strap (52, 54, 56) comprises left and right side straps (52, 54) extending from the rear panel (14) along the inner face (86) of the mask (12) to the left and right of the user's head, respectively. over the page. 5 The sports helmet of claim 15, wherein the third portion of the straps extending from the second portion is connected to the rear panel (14) along its outer surface (40) and passes through a corresponding hole (78, 80, 90) formed on the rear panel (14). 10 δ CvJ ό σ> C \ J X IX Q. 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