Shroud plate

• US 6,751,810 B1
• Filed: 03/13/2003
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Norotos Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Norotos Incorporated
• Inventors: Prendergast, Jonathon R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lindsey, Rodney M.
• Application Number:
  US10/389,648
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 2/62, 242/2, 403/321, 403/325, 403/326, 359/409, 359/815, 248/222.11, 248/222.13, 248/221.11, 248/222.51, 248/224.7
• US Class Current: 2/422
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/04 Parts, details or accessories of helmets
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/125 head-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/59 Manually releaseable latch type

Abstract

The present invention provides for a shroud plate for headgear comprising a shell, an insert, a lock and a release mechanism wherein the shell extends around at least a portion of the insert has a smooth surface with rounded edges and corners and is shaped to match the contour of the headgear. Further, the insert is adapted to receive a lock plate, the lock is adapted to secure the lock plate to the insert, and the release mechanism allows for removal of the lock plate from the insert.

Claims

1. A shroud plate for headgear comprising a shell, an insert, a lock and a release mechanism wherein

the shell extends around at least a portion of the insert and has a smooth surface with rounded edges and corners and is shaped to match the contour of the headgear;

the insert is adapted to receive a lock plate;

the lock is adapted to secure the lock plate to the insert; and

the release mechanism allows for removal of the lock plate from the insert.

2. A shroud plate according to claim 1 wherein the release mechanism is a release button.

3. A shroud plate according to claim 2 wherein the release button is centrally located at the bottom edge of the shell.

4. A shroud plate according to claim 2 wherein the release button is shaped to match the contour of the bottom edge of the shell.

5. A shroud plate according to claim 1 wherein the shell is injection molded.

6. A shroud plate according to claim 5 wherein the shell is injection molded from nylon 6/6.

7. A shroud plate according to claim 1 wherein the shell further comprises indented sections separated by support ridges.

8. A shroud plate according to claim 1 wherein the shell is secured to a helmet by screws through the helmet into the shell.

9. A shroud plate according to claim 1 wherein the shell may further comprise threaded inserts, the inserts comprising a knurled outer surface and two opposite halves with a gap separating the halves on their longitudinal axis.

10. A shroud plate according to claim 1 wherein the sides of the lock are tapered in a dovetail shape.

11. A shroud plate according to claim 1 wherein the lock further comprises a ledge to secure the lock plate to the insert.

12. A shroud plate according to claim 1 wherein the headgear is a helmet.

13. A shroud plate according to claim 1 wherein the shell and the insert comprise one piece.

14. A shroud plate according to claim 1 wherein the top surface of the lock is contoured to match that of the shell.

15. A shroud plate according to claim 1 wherein the insert has tapered sides to receive a tapered lock plate.

16. A shroud plate according to claim 1 wherein the lock and the lock plate are titanium.

17. A shroud plate for headgear comprising a shell, an insert, a lock and a release button wherein

the shell is adapted for attachment to the headgear and for supporting the insert;

the insert is adapted to receive a lock plate;

the lock is adapted to secure the lock plate to the insert; and

the release button is centrally located along the bottom edge of the shell and allows for removal of the lock plate from the insert.

18. A shroud plate according to claim 17 wherein the shell has a smooth surface with rounded edges and corners and is shaped to match the contour of the headgear.

19. A shroud plate according to claim 17 wherein the release button is shaped to match the contour of the bottom edge of the shell.

20. A shroud plate according to claim 17 wherein the shell and the insert comprise one piece.