Apparel – Guard or protector – For wearer's head
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-10
2001-07-10
Neas, Michael A. (Department: 3741)
Apparel
Guard or protector
For wearer's head
C002S411000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256799
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of covers, and in particular to helmet covers that may be removably placed over a wide variety of protective helmets.
Helmets have long provided protection to their wearers. Presently, helmets are used as protective equipment when performing a wide variety of activities. For example, helmets are often worn during various sporting events, such as cycling, skiing, kayaking, skating, mountain climbing, and the like. Helmets are also worn in connection with various occupations, such as construction, mining, and the like.
Recently, many have become concerned with providing protection to children and young adults during various activities. For example, many states now require a child to wear a protective helmet when riding a cycle, when being towed behind a bicycle, when skating, and the like. Children's helmets have also been produced for various winter activities, such as skiing and snowboarding.
Although such protective helmets can provide a significant amount of protection to the wearer, many (and particularly children and young adults) are reluctant to wear such helmets. One reason for this reluctance is the appearance of the helmets. Because of current fashions, many young people feel embarrassed when wearing a protective helmet.
Hence, the invention is related to covers that may be coupled to protective helmets to make them more aesthetically pleasing and to encourage their use. The invention also relates to techniques for coupling such covers to currently available helmets in an easy an economic manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides various helmet covers and methods for their use. In one embodiment, a cover is provided for use with a helmet that comprises a rigid shell having an outer surface, an inner surface and an outer edge, and a padding material coupled to the inner surface. The cover comprises a flexible cover body that may be removably disposed about the outer surface of the shell. The flexible body has an outer periphery and an elastic material disposed at or near the outer periphery. Further, the body is shaped so that it is may be folded over the outer edge of the shell such that the elastic material is positioned generally adjacent the inner surface of the shell. In this way, a cover may easily be retrofitted to a protective helmet simply by placing the cover over the outer shell and wrapping the elastic material over the edge of the shell until it is adjacent the inner surface. Once positioned in this manner, the elastic material helps to keep the cover in place. To remove the cover, the elastic material is simply stretched and unwrapped from the shell.
In one aspect, the outer periphery of the flexible body is shaped to correspond with the shape of the outer edge of the shell to facilitate coupling of the cover to the shell. In another aspect, the helmet includes a rounded section to cover an ear of the wearer. Further, an elastic strip coupled to spaced apart locations on the cover body to permit the elastic strip to be placed about the rounded section of the shell. In this way, the elastic strip further assists in holding the cover to the helmet.
In one particular aspect, at least one peripheral item is coupled to the cover body to make the cover more creative and aesthetically appealing. Examples of peripheral items that may be used include items such as ears, eyes, noses, horns, hair, tails, antlers, hats, caps, claws, legs, arms, hands, fins, whiskers, braids, teeth, antennae, logos, designs, and the like. Conveniently, a variety of materials may be employed to construct the flexible body including fabrics, such as cloth, felt, mesh, as well as other materials such as vinyl, leather, and the like.
The invention further provides an exemplary method for covering a helmet. According to the method, a helmet cover is provided that comprises a rigid shell having an outer surface, an inner surface and an outer edge, and a padding material coupled to the inner surface. A cover is also provided that comprises a flexible body having an outer periphery and an elastic material disposed near or at the outer periphery. The cover is placed about the shell and is folded over the outer edge of the shell so that the elastic material is positioned generally adjacent the inner surface of the shell. The cover may further be manipulated so that the flexible body conforms generally to the shape of the shell. Hence, the cover may conveniently be placed about the helmet simply by stretching the cover and placing it about the shell, with the elastic material being folded over the edge of the shell.
In one aspect, the outer periphery of the flexible body is shaped to correspond with the shape of the outer edge of the shell. In this way, the cover may be folded over the outer edge such that the elastic material is disposed near the edge so that the cover will not interfere with the interface between the padding material and the wearer's head. In another aspect of the method, the helmet includes a rounded section to cover an ear, and the cover includes an elastic strip coupled to spaced apart locations on the cover body. With such a configuration, the elastic strip is placed about the rounded section of the shell to assist in holding the cover to the helmet.
In another aspect, at least one peripheral item may be coupled to the cover body. The peripheral item may be integrally formed with the flexible body, or may be configured to be attached by the wearer, using a type of fastener, such as a snap, a hook and loop fastener material, and the like. Examples of such peripheral items include ears, eyes, noses, horns, hair, tails, antlers, hats, caps, claws, legs, arms, hands, fins, whiskers, braids, teeth, antennae, logos, designs, and the like.
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McGlasson Bryan K.
McGlasson Shirley J.
Neas Michael A.
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
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