US20200268089A1 - Helmet accessory system - Google Patents
Helmet accessory system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20200268089A1 US20200268089A1 US16/798,390 US202016798390A US2020268089A1 US 20200268089 A1 US20200268089 A1 US 20200268089A1 US 202016798390 A US202016798390 A US 202016798390A US 2020268089 A1 US2020268089 A1 US 2020268089A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- helmet
- brace
- jaw protector
- ear cover
- aperture
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- 230000001012 protector Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 68
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 238000007373 indentation Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000012815 thermoplastic material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 8
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010146 3D printing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920000122 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003754 machining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
- A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
- A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
- A42B3/18—Face protection devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
- A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
- A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
- A42B3/18—Face protection devices
- A42B3/20—Face guards, e.g. for ice hockey
- A42B3/205—Chin protectors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
- A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
- A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
- A42B3/0406—Accessories for helmets
Definitions
- Embodiments described herein generally relate to a helmet accessory system and, more specifically, a helmet accessory system configured to fasten a jaw protector to a helmet. Some embodiments relate to a method of attaching a jaw protector to a helmet with an intermediate brace.
- Helmets and other protective head gear are used in a wide variety of sports and travel activities spanning from baseball and football to race car driving and motorcycling.
- Protective headgear often relies upon a hard, structured outer casing with an impact energy absorbing padding placed between the outer casing and the user's head. If a user wearing such headgear suffers an impact to the outer shell, the combination of hard shell and padding absorbs the impact energy and the user sustains less of the initial impact. Headgear may also protect a user from impact by bracing the head of a user in a certain position to better protect the neck.
- Headgear currently available in certain markets today may not protect the entire head.
- Baseball helmets often only protect the sides back and top of the head, leaving the face, jaw, and neck exposed.
- Customized helmets may be used to protect a greater area of the head and neck.
- Helmet accessories may also be purchased for additional protection, but these often require modifications to existing helmets to be used properly.
- the shell may need to be drilled to add fasteners.
- These accessories may require a user to purchase extra equipment, such as a drill, for installation.
- the accessories may require a user to have a basic knowledge of power tools to properly modify the helmet. Additionally, because some sports leagues and organizations do not allow helmet modifications, this type of accessory may not be usable for some sports players.
- inventions relate to a helmet accessory system.
- the system includes a cantilevered jaw protector; a brace; and a fastening means, wherein the fastening means is configured to attach the cantilevered jaw protector to the brace at a first position; and attach the brace to a helmet at a second position.
- the second position is an ear cover of the helmet.
- the brace is configured to be attached to the helmet at a left ear cover of the helmet; removed from the left ear cover of the helmet; and attached to the helmet at a right ear cover of the helmet.
- the fastening means is configured to secure an angular position of the cantilevered jaw protector.
- the brace has an outside face and an inside face; the first position is the outside face of the brace; and the second position is the inside face of the brace.
- the fastening means comprises at least one bolt.
- the brace comprises at least one first aperture at the first position and at least one second aperture at the second position.
- the at least one first aperture and at least one second aperture are holes.
- the at least one first aperture and at least one second aperture are distributed such that the fastening means is configured to thread through the at least one first aperture at an opening in the cantilevered jaw protector; and the fastening means is configured to thread through the at least one second aperture at an opening in the helmet.
- the brace has an indentation on an inner surface configured to comply with a contour of an ear cover of the helmet.
- the brace has an indentation on an inner surface configured to comply with a contour of a right ear of the helmet.
- the brace has an indentation on an inner surface configured to comply with a contour of a left ear of the helmet.
- the brace comprises a thermoplastic material.
- embodiments relate to a method of attaching a jaw protector to a helmet.
- the method comprises fastening, with a first fastening means, a jaw protector to an outside face of a brace at a first position; and fastening, with a second fastening means, an inside face of the brace to the helmet at a second position.
- the second position is a left ear cover of the helmet.
- the second position is a right ear cover of the helmet.
- the method further comprises detaching the inside face of the brace from the left ear cover of the helmet and attaching the inside face of the brace to a right ear cover of the helmet.
- the brace comprises at least one first aperture at the first position and at least one second aperture at the second position.
- the method further comprises securing an angular position of the jaw protector.
- the jaw protector is a cantilevered jaw protector.
- first fastening means and second fastening means are bolts.
- the brace is an interface between the jaw protector and the helmet; the jaw protector is an unmodified jaw protector; and the helmet is an unmodified helmet.
- the brace has an indentation on an inner surface configured to comply with a contour of an ear cover of the helmet.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a helmet accessory system, incorporating a helmet shell, brace, cantilevered jaw protector, and a plurality of fastening means in accordance with one embodiment
- FIG. 2A-2C illustrate the front, top and side views of a brace design in accordance with one embodiment
- FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate the front and side views of a brace attached to a helmet in accordance with one embodiment
- FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate the unfolded, left folded, and right folded views of a reversible brace in accordance with one embodiment.
- Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for attaching a jaw protector to a helmet.
- the helmet may be a standard sports helmet, such as a softball helmet or baseball helmet.
- the system may include a cantilevered jaw protector, a brace, and a fastening means configured to attach the cantilevered jaw protector to the brace and attach the brace to the helmet.
- Some embodiments may include a method of fastening the jaw protector to the helmet with a brace.
- the method includes fastening a jaw protector to an outside face of a brace and fastening an inside face of the brace to the helmet.
- the brace may be attached to the helmet in a first position and the brace may be attached to the jaw protector in a second position.
- the brace may attach to a helmet in pre-existing holes in a standard helmet, such as an ear hole, side vent, or back vent.
- the brace may attach to only one side of a helmet in some embodiments.
- the brace may be curved to protect the left side of the jaw and may attach to the left side of the helmet.
- the brace may be curved to protect the right side of the jaw and may attach to the right side of the helmet.
- the brace may be adjustable. A user may be able to fold and reverse the brace, such that the brace can be attached to the right side of the helmet, detached, and then attached to the left side of the helmet and vice versa. In some embodiments, the brace may be compatible with both right handed batter helmets and left handed batter helmets.
- a system may include a helmet with at least one ear cover configured to receive a brace for attachment of jaw protectors of cantilevered design.
- the brace may include a distribution of apertures, such as holes or slots, that are used with fasteners to attach the selected jaw protectors to selected helmets of different brands, without the need to modify the selected jaw protector and the selected helmet.
- An unmodified jaw protector is a jaw protector that has not been drilled, cut, or otherwise changed since the time of manufacture of the jaw protector.
- An unmodified jaw protector may have existing holes and divots at the time of manufacture.
- An unmodified helmet is a helmet that has not been drilled, cut, or otherwise changed since the time of manufacture of the helmet.
- An unmodified helmet may have existing holes and divots at the time of manufacture.
- the helmets are batting helmets.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective, exploded view of a helmet accessory system 100 .
- the helmet accessory system 100 attaches a jaw protector 108 to a helmet 101 with a brace 106 .
- the jaw protector 108 may be a cantilevered jaw protector 108 .
- the jaw protector 108 may be attached to the brace 106 with fasteners 109 .
- the fasteners 109 may be threaded through holes in the jaw protector 108 and may attach the jaw protector to a brace 106 .
- the brace may attach to the helmet 101 with a second set of fasteners 107 .
- the fasteners 107 , 109 may be screws, studs, or bolts.
- embodiments may use as few as one fastener 109 to attach the jaw protector 108 to the brace 106 and to the helmet 101 .
- fasteners 109 may extend through the jaw protector 108 , the brace 106 and the ear cover 102 .
- the assembly may not use inner fasteners 107 and may only use outer fasteners 109 .
- outer fasteners 109 are long enough to extend into holes 104 .
- at least one hole of the jaw protector 108 may share an axis with at least one hole of the ear cover 102 .
- Holes 104 may include inserts 105 , which can be threaded for bolts or smooth for different kinds of snap-fits.
- the combination of holes 104 and inserts 105 may be used for mounting protection devices such as face masks in some embodiments.
- the fasteners 107 may secure the inserts 105 .
- Holes 104 and inserts 105 used may depend on the helmet brand and the kind of protection device used in some embodiments.
- jaw protectors 108 can be adapted to some helmets without prior modification.
- at least one of the jaw protector 108 and helmet 101 may require modification.
- modification may include removing helmet padding or drilling additional holes to incorporate jaw protection.
- different braces 106 may be created with shapes specific to different standard helmets 101 .
- the inner surface of the brace 106 may be designed to hold inserts 105 , where fasteners 109 are attached. Fasteners 109 may extend through the brace 106 and the jaw protector 108 , and may attach the jaw protector 108 to the brace 106 .
- the result in some embodiments may be a sandwich structure composed of a helmet 101 , a brace 106 , and a jaw protector 108 .
- the brace 106 is configured to attach to a standard batting helmet 101 .
- the helmet 101 maybe a standard left handed batting helmet.
- the helmet 101 maybe a standard right-handed batting helmet.
- the fasteners 107 may thread through holes in the brace 106 and may attach to holes 104 which preexist in a standard batting helmet 101 .
- the fasteners 107 may thread through three holes 104 and in some embodiments the fasteners 107 may thread through two or fewer holes 104 .
- the attachment spacing maybe adjusted by selecting different holes in the brace 106 .
- the brace 106 may attach to the helmet 101 at holes 104 spaced throughout the ear cover 102 or in the ear aperture 103 .
- the brace 106 and the jaw protector 108 maybe curved such that the jaw of the user may be protected when the user wears the helmet 101 with the attached brace 106 and jaw protector 108 .
- the jaw protector 108 maybe specifically curved to protect the left side of the user's jaw or the right side of the user's jaw.
- FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of one-directional brace 106 shown in FIG. 1 , in accordance with some embodiments.
- the brace 106 may incorporate indentation 116 to comply with the contour of ear aperture 103 of the helmet 101 shown in FIG. 1 .
- the external surface 126 may be contoured to comply with a jaw protection device, such as the jaw protector 108 in FIG. 1 .
- counterbore surfaces 136 A, 136 B may be incorporated for contact between a brace 106 and the heads of fasteners 107 shown in FIG. 1 .
- the brace 106 may incorporate a distribution of apertures 146 , 156 which comply with helmet and jaw protector hole distributions of standard helmets 101 .
- apertures may have circular cross sections, such as cross section 146 .
- apertures may have different slot designs 156 to comply with specified hole distributions in existing helmets.
- aperture design may be engineered such that a selected jaw protector can be attached to a selected helmet without post-purchase modifications of the jaw protector or the helmet.
- FIG. 2B illustrates a top view of a brace 106 and the three-dimensional exterior surface 126 , designed to attach to the interior surface of a jaw protector in accordance with some embodiments.
- the exterior surface 126 may be curved such that the curvature curves toward and around the jaw of a user when the brace 106 is attached to a helmet.
- FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of brace 106 and three-dimensional interior surface 166 , designed to attach to the exterior surface of ear cover 102 of a helmet 101 in accordance with some embodiments.
- the brace 106 is shaped such that the top edge matches the ear aperture 103 of the helmet 101 .
- FIG. 3A illustrates a lateral view of a helmet accessory system attached to a helmet 101 .
- the brace 106 may be attached to the ear cover 102 of the helmet 101 with fasteners (not shown).
- fasteners may be threaded through the holes to attach the brace 106 to the helmet 101 .
- the brace 106 may attach to a right-handed batter helmet 101 , depicted in configuration 300 .
- FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of helmet configuration 300 in accordance with some embodiments.
- the brace 106 may overlap with the ear cover 102 , such that the outside edge of the brace 106 matches the outside edge ear cover 102 .
- FIG. 3C illustrates a front view of a left handed batter configuration for helmet 101 , in accordance with some embodiments.
- the brace 106 may be curved to conform to the curvature of a left ear cover instead of a right ear cover.
- the brace may be flexible enough to change curvatures.
- the brace 106 is a rigid structure imprinted with a curved inner surface.
- a right handed batter brace 106 a may be a non-rigid brace and may conform to the left ear cover of the helmet 101 , shown in configuration 310 of FIG. 3B .
- the right handed batter brace may be a mirror image of a left handed batter brace 106 b shown in helmet configuration 320 in accordance with some embodiments.
- FIG. 4A illustrates a reversible brace 400 in an unfolded configuration in accordance with some embodiments.
- a brace 400 may be configured to be attached to either the left side or the right side of a helmet.
- the brace 400 may be foldable along a seam 410 .
- the holes 405 ′, 405 ′′ may be mirror images of each other, such that when the brace 400 is folded along a seam 410 , the holes 405 ′, 405 ′′ may match.
- the edges 425 ′, 425 ′′ of the brace 400 may also similarly match, such that the folded configuration of the brace 400 appears similar to the brace 106 illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C .
- the brace 400 may have an indented well 415 housing a plurality of holes 420 .
- the indented well 415 may be configured to accommodate the heads of fasteners securing the brace 400 to a jaw protector and a helmet.
- the indented well 415 on one side of the brace 400 may be a mirror image of the indented well on other side of the brace 400 .
- the brace 400 when the brace 400 is folded along the seam 410 , the brace 400 may have a curve. In some embodiments, the brace 400 may be configured to curve either left or right, depending on the desired attachment point of the brace 400 . For example, in some embodiments, the brace 400 may be curved to fit the left ear cover of a helmet or the right ear cover of a helmet.
- FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate the left folded and right folded configurations of the brace 400 .
- the brace 400 may curve to form a brace 400 fitting a left ear cover of a helmet.
- the brace 400 may curve to form a brace 400 fitting a right ear cover of a helmet.
- the seam 410 may be placed such that the outside edges 425 ′, 425 ′′ may match and form a thick outer edge 425 when the brace 400 is folded.
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- Helmets And Other Head Coverings (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. provisional application No. 62/810,142, filed on Feb. 25, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein.
- Embodiments described herein generally relate to a helmet accessory system and, more specifically, a helmet accessory system configured to fasten a jaw protector to a helmet. Some embodiments relate to a method of attaching a jaw protector to a helmet with an intermediate brace.
- Helmets and other protective head gear are used in a wide variety of sports and travel activities spanning from baseball and football to race car driving and motorcycling. Protective headgear often relies upon a hard, structured outer casing with an impact energy absorbing padding placed between the outer casing and the user's head. If a user wearing such headgear suffers an impact to the outer shell, the combination of hard shell and padding absorbs the impact energy and the user sustains less of the initial impact. Headgear may also protect a user from impact by bracing the head of a user in a certain position to better protect the neck.
- Headgear currently available in certain markets today may not protect the entire head. Baseball helmets often only protect the sides back and top of the head, leaving the face, jaw, and neck exposed. Customized helmets may be used to protect a greater area of the head and neck. Helmet accessories may also be purchased for additional protection, but these often require modifications to existing helmets to be used properly. For example, the shell may need to be drilled to add fasteners. These accessories may require a user to purchase extra equipment, such as a drill, for installation. Furthermore, the accessories may require a user to have a basic knowledge of power tools to properly modify the helmet. Additionally, because some sports leagues and organizations do not allow helmet modifications, this type of accessory may not be usable for some sports players.
- A need exists, therefore, for systems and methods for helmet accessory systems that overcome the disadvantages of existing systems.
- This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not meant or intended to identify or exclude key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
- According to one aspect, embodiments relate to a helmet accessory system. The system includes a cantilevered jaw protector; a brace; and a fastening means, wherein the fastening means is configured to attach the cantilevered jaw protector to the brace at a first position; and attach the brace to a helmet at a second position.
- In one embodiment, the second position is an ear cover of the helmet.
- In one embodiment, the brace is configured to be attached to the helmet at a left ear cover of the helmet; removed from the left ear cover of the helmet; and attached to the helmet at a right ear cover of the helmet.
- In one embodiment, the fastening means is configured to secure an angular position of the cantilevered jaw protector.
- In one embodiment, the brace has an outside face and an inside face; the first position is the outside face of the brace; and the second position is the inside face of the brace.
- In one embodiment, the fastening means comprises at least one bolt.
- In one embodiment, the brace comprises at least one first aperture at the first position and at least one second aperture at the second position.
- In one embodiment, the at least one first aperture and at least one second aperture are holes.
- In one embodiment, the at least one first aperture and at least one second aperture are distributed such that the fastening means is configured to thread through the at least one first aperture at an opening in the cantilevered jaw protector; and the fastening means is configured to thread through the at least one second aperture at an opening in the helmet.
- In one embodiment, the brace has an indentation on an inner surface configured to comply with a contour of an ear cover of the helmet.
- In one embodiment, the brace has an indentation on an inner surface configured to comply with a contour of a right ear of the helmet.
- In one embodiment, the brace has an indentation on an inner surface configured to comply with a contour of a left ear of the helmet.
- In one embodiment, the brace comprises a thermoplastic material.
- According to another aspect, embodiments relate to a method of attaching a jaw protector to a helmet. The method comprises fastening, with a first fastening means, a jaw protector to an outside face of a brace at a first position; and fastening, with a second fastening means, an inside face of the brace to the helmet at a second position.
- In one embodiment, the second position is a left ear cover of the helmet.
- In one embodiment, the second position is a right ear cover of the helmet.
- In one embodiment, the method further comprises detaching the inside face of the brace from the left ear cover of the helmet and attaching the inside face of the brace to a right ear cover of the helmet.
- In one embodiment, the brace comprises at least one first aperture at the first position and at least one second aperture at the second position.
- In one embodiment, the method further comprises securing an angular position of the jaw protector.
- In one embodiment, the jaw protector is a cantilevered jaw protector.
- In one embodiment, the first fastening means and second fastening means are bolts.
- In one embodiment, the brace is an interface between the jaw protector and the helmet; the jaw protector is an unmodified jaw protector; and the helmet is an unmodified helmet.
- In one embodiment, the brace has an indentation on an inner surface configured to comply with a contour of an ear cover of the helmet.
- Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of this disclosure are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.
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FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a helmet accessory system, incorporating a helmet shell, brace, cantilevered jaw protector, and a plurality of fastening means in accordance with one embodiment; -
FIG. 2A-2C illustrate the front, top and side views of a brace design in accordance with one embodiment; -
FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate the front and side views of a brace attached to a helmet in accordance with one embodiment; and -
FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate the unfolded, left folded, and right folded views of a reversible brace in accordance with one embodiment. - Various embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show specific exemplary embodiments. However, the concepts of the present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided as part of a thorough and complete disclosure, to fully convey the scope of the concepts, techniques and implementations of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Embodiments may be practiced as methods, systems or devices. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
- Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or to “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one example implementation or technique in accordance with the present disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in some embodiments” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.
- In addition, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the disclosed subject matter. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative, and not limiting, of the scope of the concepts discussed herein.
- Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for attaching a jaw protector to a helmet. The helmet may be a standard sports helmet, such as a softball helmet or baseball helmet. In some embodiments, the system may include a cantilevered jaw protector, a brace, and a fastening means configured to attach the cantilevered jaw protector to the brace and attach the brace to the helmet. Some embodiments may include a method of fastening the jaw protector to the helmet with a brace. In some embodiments, the method includes fastening a jaw protector to an outside face of a brace and fastening an inside face of the brace to the helmet. In some embodiments, the brace may be attached to the helmet in a first position and the brace may be attached to the jaw protector in a second position.
- In some embodiments, the brace may attach to a helmet in pre-existing holes in a standard helmet, such as an ear hole, side vent, or back vent. The brace may attach to only one side of a helmet in some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the brace may be curved to protect the left side of the jaw and may attach to the left side of the helmet. In some embodiments, the brace may be curved to protect the right side of the jaw and may attach to the right side of the helmet.
- In some embodiments, the brace may be adjustable. A user may be able to fold and reverse the brace, such that the brace can be attached to the right side of the helmet, detached, and then attached to the left side of the helmet and vice versa. In some embodiments, the brace may be compatible with both right handed batter helmets and left handed batter helmets.
- In some embodiments, a system may include a helmet with at least one ear cover configured to receive a brace for attachment of jaw protectors of cantilevered design. The brace may include a distribution of apertures, such as holes or slots, that are used with fasteners to attach the selected jaw protectors to selected helmets of different brands, without the need to modify the selected jaw protector and the selected helmet. An unmodified jaw protector is a jaw protector that has not been drilled, cut, or otherwise changed since the time of manufacture of the jaw protector. An unmodified jaw protector may have existing holes and divots at the time of manufacture. An unmodified helmet is a helmet that has not been drilled, cut, or otherwise changed since the time of manufacture of the helmet. An unmodified helmet may have existing holes and divots at the time of manufacture. In some embodiments, the helmets are batting helmets.
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FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective, exploded view of ahelmet accessory system 100. Thehelmet accessory system 100 attaches ajaw protector 108 to ahelmet 101 with abrace 106. In some embodiments, thejaw protector 108 may be a cantileveredjaw protector 108. Thejaw protector 108 may be attached to thebrace 106 withfasteners 109. Thefasteners 109 may be threaded through holes in thejaw protector 108 and may attach the jaw protector to abrace 106. The brace may attach to thehelmet 101 with a second set offasteners 107. In some embodiments, thefasteners - Although three
fasteners 109 are illustrated inFIG. 1 , embodiments may use as few as onefastener 109 to attach thejaw protector 108 to thebrace 106 and to thehelmet 101. - In some embodiments,
fasteners 109 may extend through thejaw protector 108, thebrace 106 and theear cover 102. In some embodiments, the assembly may not useinner fasteners 107 and may only useouter fasteners 109. In some embodiments only usingouter fasteners 109,outer fasteners 109 are long enough to extend intoholes 104. In some embodiments, at least one hole of thejaw protector 108 may share an axis with at least one hole of theear cover 102. -
Holes 104 may includeinserts 105, which can be threaded for bolts or smooth for different kinds of snap-fits. The combination ofholes 104 and inserts 105 may be used for mounting protection devices such as face masks in some embodiments. In some embodiments, thefasteners 107 may secure theinserts 105. -
Holes 104 and inserts 105 used may depend on the helmet brand and the kind of protection device used in some embodiments. In some embodiments,jaw protectors 108 can be adapted to some helmets without prior modification. In some embodiments, at least one of thejaw protector 108 andhelmet 101 may require modification. In some embodiments, modification may include removing helmet padding or drilling additional holes to incorporate jaw protection. In some embodiments,different braces 106 may be created with shapes specific to differentstandard helmets 101. - In some embodiments, the inner surface of the
brace 106 may be designed to holdinserts 105, wherefasteners 109 are attached.Fasteners 109 may extend through thebrace 106 and thejaw protector 108, and may attach thejaw protector 108 to thebrace 106. By using the existinghelmet hole distribution 104, no modification may be necessary for attaching thejaw protector 108 to thehelmet 101 in some embodiments. The result in some embodiments may be a sandwich structure composed of ahelmet 101, abrace 106, and ajaw protector 108. - In some embodiments, the
brace 106 is configured to attach to astandard batting helmet 101. In some embodiments, thehelmet 101 maybe a standard left handed batting helmet. In some embodiments, thehelmet 101 maybe a standard right-handed batting helmet. In some embodiments thefasteners 107 may thread through holes in thebrace 106 and may attach toholes 104 which preexist in astandard batting helmet 101. In some embodiments thefasteners 107 may thread through threeholes 104 and in some embodiments thefasteners 107 may thread through two orfewer holes 104. In some embodiments, the attachment spacing maybe adjusted by selecting different holes in thebrace 106. In some embodiments, thebrace 106 may attach to thehelmet 101 atholes 104 spaced throughout theear cover 102 or in theear aperture 103. - In some embodiments, the
brace 106 and thejaw protector 108 maybe curved such that the jaw of the user may be protected when the user wears thehelmet 101 with the attachedbrace 106 andjaw protector 108. In some embodiments, thejaw protector 108 maybe specifically curved to protect the left side of the user's jaw or the right side of the user's jaw. -
FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of one-directional brace 106 shown inFIG. 1 , in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, thebrace 106 may incorporateindentation 116 to comply with the contour ofear aperture 103 of thehelmet 101 shown inFIG. 1 . In some embodiments, theexternal surface 126 may be contoured to comply with a jaw protection device, such as thejaw protector 108 inFIG. 1 . In some embodiments, counterbore surfaces 136A, 136B may be incorporated for contact between abrace 106 and the heads offasteners 107 shown inFIG. 1 . In some embodiments, thebrace 106 may incorporate a distribution ofapertures standard helmets 101. To meet specified hole distributions, apertures may have circular cross sections, such ascross section 146. In some embodiments, apertures may havedifferent slot designs 156 to comply with specified hole distributions in existing helmets. In some embodiments, aperture design may be engineered such that a selected jaw protector can be attached to a selected helmet without post-purchase modifications of the jaw protector or the helmet. -
FIG. 2B illustrates a top view of abrace 106 and the three-dimensional exterior surface 126, designed to attach to the interior surface of a jaw protector in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, theexterior surface 126 may be curved such that the curvature curves toward and around the jaw of a user when thebrace 106 is attached to a helmet. -
FIG. 2C illustrates a side view ofbrace 106 and three-dimensionalinterior surface 166, designed to attach to the exterior surface ofear cover 102 of ahelmet 101 in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, thebrace 106 is shaped such that the top edge matches theear aperture 103 of thehelmet 101. -
FIG. 3A illustrates a lateral view of a helmet accessory system attached to ahelmet 101. In some embodiments, thebrace 106 may be attached to theear cover 102 of thehelmet 101 with fasteners (not shown). In some embodiments, before thebrace 106 is attached to theear cover 102 of thehelmet 101, holes in theear cover 102 may be aligned with holes in thebrace 106. In some embodiments, when thebrace 106 is attached to thehelmet 101, theear aperture 103 may remain exposed. In some embodiments, fasteners may be threaded through the holes to attach thebrace 106 to thehelmet 101. In some embodiments, thebrace 106 may attach to a right-handed batter helmet 101, depicted in configuration 300. -
FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of helmet configuration 300 in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, thebrace 106 may overlap with theear cover 102, such that the outside edge of thebrace 106 matches the outsideedge ear cover 102. -
FIG. 3C illustrates a front view of a left handed batter configuration forhelmet 101, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, thebrace 106 may be curved to conform to the curvature of a left ear cover instead of a right ear cover. In some embodiments, the brace may be flexible enough to change curvatures. In some embodiments, thebrace 106 is a rigid structure imprinted with a curved inner surface. - In some embodiments, a right handed batter brace 106 a may be a non-rigid brace and may conform to the left ear cover of the
helmet 101, shown in configuration 310 ofFIG. 3B . In some embodiments, the right handed batter brace may be a mirror image of a left handed batter brace 106 b shown in helmet configuration 320 in accordance with some embodiments. - In some embodiments, the
brace 106 may be made of a thermoplastic material or other rigid material, such as impact resistant ABS plastic or polycarbonate. Known manufacturing methods such as injection molding, 3D printing and/or machining may be used to manufacture abrace 106. In some embodiments, differentlysized braces 106 may be manufactured to conform todifferent helmets 101. In some embodiments, braces 106 may be manufactured to fit left handed batter's helmets and right handed batter's helmets. In some embodiments, braces 106 may be manufactured with a different set of holes and indentations from what is illustrated inFIG. 3 to comply with a different helmet configuration. -
FIG. 4A illustrates areversible brace 400 in an unfolded configuration in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, abrace 400 may be configured to be attached to either the left side or the right side of a helmet. To achieve this ambidextrous batting helmet configuration, thebrace 400 may be foldable along aseam 410. In some embodiments, theholes 405′, 405″ may be mirror images of each other, such that when thebrace 400 is folded along aseam 410, theholes 405′, 405″ may match. In some embodiments, when thebrace 400 is folded, theedges 425′, 425″ of thebrace 400 may also similarly match, such that the folded configuration of thebrace 400 appears similar to thebrace 106 illustrated inFIGS. 2A-2C . - In some embodiments, the
brace 400 may have an indented well 415 housing a plurality ofholes 420. In some embodiments, the indented well 415 may be configured to accommodate the heads of fasteners securing thebrace 400 to a jaw protector and a helmet. In some embodiments, the indented well 415 on one side of thebrace 400 may be a mirror image of the indented well on other side of thebrace 400. - In some embodiments, when the
brace 400 is folded along theseam 410, thebrace 400 may have a curve. In some embodiments, thebrace 400 may be configured to curve either left or right, depending on the desired attachment point of thebrace 400. For example, in some embodiments, thebrace 400 may be curved to fit the left ear cover of a helmet or the right ear cover of a helmet. -
FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate the left folded and right folded configurations of thebrace 400. If thebrace 400 is folded along theseam 410 in one direction, thebrace 400 may curve to form abrace 400 fitting a left ear cover of a helmet. If thebrace 400 is folded along theseam 410 in another direction, thebrace 400 may curve to form abrace 400 fitting a right ear cover of a helmet. In some embodiments, theseam 410 may be placed such that theoutside edges 425′, 425″ may match and form a thickouter edge 425 when thebrace 400 is folded. - Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation and/or engineering, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. The scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to the above Description, but rather is as set forth in the claims that follow the reference list.
- Various embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show specific exemplary embodiments. However, the concepts of the present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein; rather, these embodiments are provided as part of a thorough and complete disclosure, to fully convey the scope of the concepts, techniques and implementations of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Embodiments may be practiced as methods, systems or devices. The previous detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
- Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or to “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one example implementation or technique in accordance with the previous disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in some embodiments” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.
- Also, features described with respect to certain configurations may be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of the configurations may be combined in a similar manner. Also, technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples and do not limit the scope of the disclosure or claims.
- Having been provided with the description and illustration of the present application, one skilled in the art may envision variations, modifications, and alternate embodiments falling within the general inventive concept discussed in this application that do not depart from the scope of the following claims.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
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US16/798,390 US20200268089A1 (en) | 2019-02-25 | 2020-02-23 | Helmet accessory system |
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US201962810142P | 2019-02-25 | 2019-02-25 | |
US16/798,390 US20200268089A1 (en) | 2019-02-25 | 2020-02-23 | Helmet accessory system |
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US20200268089A1 true US20200268089A1 (en) | 2020-08-27 |
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US16/798,390 Abandoned US20200268089A1 (en) | 2019-02-25 | 2020-02-23 | Helmet accessory system |
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD913602S1 (en) * | 2019-03-19 | 2021-03-16 | Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. | Ambidextrous face guard |
US11134742B2 (en) | 2019-03-19 | 2021-10-05 | Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. | Ambidextrous face guard |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9511272B2 (en) * | 2010-05-04 | 2016-12-06 | Easton Baseball/Softball Inc. | Helmet for baseball pitchers and fielders |
US20180117445A1 (en) * | 2013-05-01 | 2018-05-03 | Kranos Ip Corporation | Liner assembly for a protective helmet |
-
2020
- 2020-02-23 US US16/798,390 patent/US20200268089A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9511272B2 (en) * | 2010-05-04 | 2016-12-06 | Easton Baseball/Softball Inc. | Helmet for baseball pitchers and fielders |
US20180117445A1 (en) * | 2013-05-01 | 2018-05-03 | Kranos Ip Corporation | Liner assembly for a protective helmet |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD913602S1 (en) * | 2019-03-19 | 2021-03-16 | Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. | Ambidextrous face guard |
US11134742B2 (en) | 2019-03-19 | 2021-10-05 | Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. | Ambidextrous face guard |
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