Bicycle helmet with chin guard and easy-adjust strap system

• US 5,685,020 A
• Filed: 08/09/1996
• Issued: 11/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elizabeth A. Powell, William V. Powell
• Original Assignee: Elizabeth A. Powell, William V. Powell
• Inventors: Powell, Elizabeth A., Powell, William V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Neas, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US08/694,560
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 2/410, 2/411, 2/421, 2/422, 2/425, 2/9
• US Class Current: 2/421
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/08 Chin straps or similar retention devices

Abstract

Protective headgear with adjustable strap system and chin guard includes a first strap secured at its opposite ends to opposite sides of the headgear and adapted to extend downwardly therefrom to beneath the jaw of a person wearing the headgear, and a second strap secured at its opposite ends to opposite rear portions of the headgear and adapted to extend forwardly to and in front of the chin of a person wearing the headgear. The first and second straps are connected with first and second coupling members, respectively, at opposite sides of the strap system, connecting the first and second straps together where they intersect. The coupling members are fixed relative to the first strap and are slidable along the second strap, and one of the coupling members includes a quick-disconnect fitting to enable the first strap to be disconnected between its ends to enable the helmet to be quickly and easily applied to and removed from the head of a person using the headgear. The second strap is adjustable in length, and the chin guard is slidably adjustable along the second strap to enable it to be accurately positioned after the length of the first and second straps are adjusted.

Claims

1. In combination, a bicycle helmet and chin guard for protecting the head and chin of a bicyclist in the event of a fall, wherein:

the helmet and chin guard are secured in place during use by a strap system that includes a first strap that is attached at its opposite ends to opposite sides of the helmet and is adapted to extend downwardly therefrom to beneath the jaw of a person wearing the helmet, and a second strap that is attached at its opposite ends to a rear portion of the helmet and includes a front portion that is adapted to extend across the front of the chin of a person wearing the helmet, said first and second straps intersecting one another at positions adapted to lie alongside opposite sides of the face of a person wearing the helmet;

said chin guard is mounted on the front portion of the second strap and is adjustable along said strap; and

said first and second straps are adjustable in length, and coupling means connects them together where they intersect one another, said coupling means enabling the point of intersection of the first strap with the second strap to be adjusted along the length of the second strap.

2. A combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said chin guard is slidably mounted on said second strap for adjustable sliding movement there along.

3. A combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said coupling means includes first and second coupling means at opposite sides, respectively, of said helmet, one of said coupling means being fixed to said first strap and slidable along said second strap, and the other of said coupling means includes a disconnect fitting to enable said first strap to be disconnected between its ends for applying and removing the helmet with respect to the head of a person using the helmet.

4. A combination as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said other of said coupling means is adjustably slidable along said second strap.

5. In combination, a helmet and chin guard for protecting the head and chin of a person wearing the helmet in the event of a fall, wherein:

the helmet and chin guard are secured in place during use by a strap system that includes a first strap that is attached at its opposite ends to opposite sides of the helmet and is adapted to extend downwardly therefrom to beneath the jaw of a person wearing the helmet, and a second strap that is attached at its opposite ends to a rear portion of the helmet and includes a front portion that is adapted to extend across the front of the chin of a person wearing the helmet, said first and second straps intersecting one another at positions adapted to lie alongside opposite sides of the face of a person wearing the helmet;

said chin guard is mounted on the front portion of the second strap and is adjustable along said strap; and

said first and second straps are adjustable in length, and coupling means connects them together where they intersect one another, said coupling means enabling the point of intersection of the first strap with the second strap to be adjusted along the length of the second strap.

6. A combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said chin guard is slidably mounted on said second strap for adjustable sliding movement there along.

7. A combination as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

said coupling means includes first and second coupling means at opposite sides, respectively, of said helmet, one of said coupling means being fixed to said first strap and slidable along said second strap, and the other of said coupling means includes a disconnect fitting to enable said first strap to be disconnected between its ends for applying and removing the helmet with respect to the head of a person using the helmet.

8. A combination as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said other of said coupling means is adjustably slidable along said second strap.

9. A strap system for securing protective headgear to the head of a person using the headgear, comprising:

a first strap having opposite ends adapted to be secured to opposite sides of headgear, and a midportion adapted to extend beneath the jaw of a person wearing the headgear;

a second strap having opposite ends adapted to be secured to opposite sides of a rear portion of headgear, and a midportion adapted to extend in front of the chin of a person wearing the headgear;

a chin guard adjustably mounted on the midportion of said second strap for adjustable positioning along the length of said second strap;

said first strap including first, second and third strap sections with said first and second strap sections each having one end adapted to be secured to respective opposite sides of a headgear and a second end secured to respective first and second coupling members, and the third strap section having one end fixed to one of the coupling members and a second end connected to a fitting that is releasably connected to the other coupling member, said third strap section being adapted to extend beneath the jaw of a person when the strap system is in use;

said coupling members being slidably mounted on said second strap for adjustable positioning along the length of the second strap; and

said second strap including first and second strap sections, each having one end adapted to be fixed to a respective opposite rear side portion of headgear, and opposite adjoining ends adjustably interconnected to one another so that the length of the second strap may be adjusted.