Apparel – Guard or protector – For wearer's head
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-30
2001-10-09
Neas, Michael A. (Department: 3741)
Apparel
Guard or protector
For wearer's head
C002S417000, C002S425000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298497
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a protective helmet suitable for use in sporting activities such as hockey, and more particularly to a novel padding structure for use in hockey helmets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of protective headgear in various types of sports or hazardous activities is well known. Conventional protective helmets have one or more inner pads secured by fasteners to the inner surfaces of a rigid helmet shell and are generally adapted to conform to the shape of a wearer's head. A principal concern is the ability of a protective helmet to absorb specific forces. In the case of hockey helmets, these standards have been set forth by the Canadian Standards Association, in their Standards for Hockey Helmets, under publication No. Z262.1-1975, and are generally internationally accepted. For instance, corresponding H.E.C.C, C.E.N. and I.S.O. standards have been established.
One of the problems associated with the use of such helmets arises when the inner pads of the helmet are not properly fitted to the head of the user. Since human heads vary widely in size and shape, these variances create significant difficulties in designing hockey helmets which are required to fit tightly on the head of the wearer to provide the desired level of protection. This problem is further exacerbated when high density foam materials are used to form the padding due to the inherent non-compliant nature of these materials. However the use of high density foam padding material is advantageous due to its ability to absorb significant levels of energy. There is therefore a need for an improved hockey helmet which utilizes high density padding but which is comfortable to the wearer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a protective helmet which achieves enhanced fit to the head of a wearer of the helmet.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a protective helmet which enhances the comfort potential of the helmet.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a protective helmet in which the liner may vary in densities.
It is yet a further object to provide a hockey helmet having proper ventilation features.
In accordance with the present invention, there has been provided a pad assembly for use in a protective helmet shell, said pad assembly being formed from a shock absorbing material and comprising a front pad assembly, a back pad assembly and an intermediate pad assembly centrally positionable between said front pad assembly and said back pad assembly, and wherein said intermediate pad is slidably connectable to said front pad assembly and to said back pad assembly.
Also provided in accordance with this invention is a protective helmet comprising an outer rigid helmet shell shaped to protect top, rear, front and sides regions of a wearer's head and a pad assembly, said pad assembly being formed from a shock absorbing material and comprising a front pad assembly, a back pad assembly and an intermediate pad assembly centrally positionable between said front pad assembly and said back pad assembly, and wherein said intermediate pad is slidably connectable to said front pad assembly and to said back pad assembly.
Also provided in accordance with this invention is a novel pad assembly adapted for use as an inner surface of a helmet shell, the pad assembly including a front pad assembly, a back pad assembly and an intermediate pad assembly, each of said pad front assemblies and said back pad assemblies having respective integrally formed fasteners, and said intermediate pad assembly being substantially free of any fasteners and being retained within the helmet shell by means of a slidable attachment means to secure the intermediate pad assembly to both the front and back pad assemblies and thereby slidably retain said intermediate pad assembly within said helmet shell.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3579637 (1971-05-01), Aileo
patent: 3820163 (1974-06-01), Rappleyea
patent: 4282610 (1981-08-01), Steigerwald et al.
patent: 4404690 (1983-09-01), Farquharson
patent: 4827537 (1989-05-01), Villa
patent: 5272773 (1993-12-01), Kamata
patent: 5511250 (1996-04-01), Field et al.
patent: 5628071 (1997-05-01), Nezer
patent: 3821513 (1989-10-01), None
patent: 4421094 (1995-12-01), None
patent: 0 346 608 (1989-12-01), None
patent: 0 391 389 (1990-10-01), None
patent: 7-109609 (1995-04-01), None
Bauer Nike Hockey Inc.
Neas Michael A.
Ratner & Prestia
LandOfFree
Hockey helmet with self-adjusting padding does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Hockey helmet with self-adjusting padding, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hockey helmet with self-adjusting padding will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2592673