Helmet retention system with improved stability

• US 7,600,268 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2007
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Artisent Incorporated
• Inventors: Rogers, David C., Hall, Edward R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley; Shaun R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sutton; Andrew W
• Application Number:
  US11/701,653
• Publication Number:
  US 20070192945A1
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 241/0, 2/62, 2/66, 2/68, 241/1, 241/6, 241/7, 242/1, 242/5, 2/9, 242/65.BC, 24614-616, 246/25
• US Class Current: 2/6.6
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/08 Chin straps or similar retention devices
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/266 with at least one push-button acting parallel to the main plane of the buckle and perpendicularly to the direction of the fastening action
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4736 Buckle connected

Abstract

A mounting buckle for a safety helmet includes at least one mating member configured for attachment to a V-shaped strap having an apex, the apex of the strap being substantially flush with the abutment surface. This configuration channels the tension in the straps along continuous lines, rather than allowing the tension to dissipate in an intervening length of strap.

Claims

1. A mounting buckle for a safety helmet, the buckle comprising first and second mating members each having an abutment surface, joinder of the first and second mating members bringing the abutment surfaces substantially into contact with each other, each of the mating members being configured for attachment to a respective V-shaped strap having an apex edge, each mating member comprising means for affixing the apex edge of an attached V-shaped strap substantially flush with the abutment surface of the mating member such that joinder of the first and second mating members brings the apices of the V-shaped straps substantially into contact with each other.

2. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the first mating member comprises a pair of flexible fingers and the second mating member comprises engagement surfaces whereby, following joinder, the fingers are held within the second mating member by the engagement surfaces.

3. The buckle of claim 2 wherein the second mating member comprises a pair of openings affording access to the fingers of the first mating member when joined to the second mating member, thereby permitting flexure of the fingers and disjoinder of the first and second mating members.

4. A retention system for a helmet, the retention system comprising:

a buckle comprising first and second mating members each having an abutment surface, joinder of the first and second mating members bringing the abutment surfaces substantially into contact with each other; and

first and second straps attached, respectively, to the first and second mating members, each of the straps being V-shaped and having an apex edge, the apex edge being substantially flush with the abutment surface of the mating member to which it is attached such that joinder of the first and second mating members brings the apices of the V-shaped straps substantially into contact with each other.

5. The retention system of claim 4 wherein the first mating member comprises a pair of flexible fingers and the second mating member comprises engagement surfaces whereby, following joinder, the fingers are held within the second mating member by the engagement surfaces.

6. The retention system of claim 5 wherein the second mating member comprises a pair of openings affording access to the fingers of the first mating member when joined to the second mating member, thereby permitting flexure of the fingers and disjoinder of the first and second mating members.

7. A helmet comprising:

a shell;

a buckle comprising first and second mating members each having an abutment surface, joinder of the first and second mating members bringing the abutment surfaces substantially into contact with each other; and

first and second straps each attached to the helmet shell and having a V-shaped portion, the V-shaped portions being attached, respectively, to the first and second mating members, an apex edge of each of the V-shaped portions being substantially flush with the abutment surface of the mating member to which it is attached such that joinder of the first and second mating members brings the apices of the first and second straps substantially into contact with each other.

8. The helmet of claim 7 wherein each of the straps has two free ends, one free end being attached to a forward portion of the helmet and the other free end being attached to a rearward portion of the helmet.

9. The helmet of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first and second straps comprises a chin-holding component.

10. The helmet of claim 9, wherein the chin-holding component comprises a first strap segment for passing below a chin of a wearer and a second chin-holding component for passing between the chin and a lower lip of a wearer.