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US4434514A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Bicyclists helmet with air flow and perspiration control

Assignee: Societe Generale SA
•
Filing: 1982-01-07
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Granted: 1984-03-06
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Expires: 2002-01-07
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Abstract

Abstract A bicyclist's helmet comprises: (a) an outer shell containing distributed openings through which air streams may enter the helmet, (b) a liner in said outer shell and supporting same adjacent such openings, (c) the liner forming left and right air flow channels communicating with the openings, the channels openly facing the interior of the helmet lengthwise of the channels for conducting air toward the rear of the helmet. In addition, a screen may be located over at least one of the channels; the openings may be transversely elongated and have narrow slit width to increase air pickup yet maintain helmet strength; a removable brow perspiration pad may be employed inwardly of a frontal opening in the helmet; an adjustable visor may be incorporated in the helmet; and a quickly attachable and detachable connection may be employed on the helmet retention system.

Inventors

  • 👤 James G. Sundahl
  • 👤 Lester V. Broersma

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 08:31
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/28; A42B3/281; A42B3/0493

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim 146 words
In a forwardly extending protective helmet, the combination including (a) an outer shell containing distributed openings located inwardly of a dome defined by the shell outer surface through which air streams may enter the helmet, said openings defined by transversely elongated, narrow slits of substantially constant width along the lengths of the openings, (b) a liner in said outer shell and supporting same adjacent said openings, (c) the liner forming left and right air flow channels communicating with said openings, the channels openly facing the interior of the helmet lengthwise of said channels for conducting air toward the rear of the helmet, (d) each slit having two elongated edges, one of which is closer to the helmet interior than the other, the liner extending into proximity to said edges at the inner side of said shell and forming additional through openings in registration with said slits.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 146 words
In a forwardly extending protective helmet, the combination including (a) an outer shell containing distributed openings located inwardly of a dome defined by the shell outer surface through which air streams may enter the helmet, said openings defined by transversely elongated, narrow slits of substantially constant width along the lengths of the openings, (b) a liner in said outer shell and supporting same adjacent said openings, (c) the liner forming left and right air flow channels communicating with said openings, the channels openly facing the interior of the helmet lengthwise of said channels for conducting air toward the rear of the helmet, (d) each slit having two elongated edges, one of which is closer to the helmet interior than the other, the liner extending into proximity to said edges at the inner side of said shell and forming additional through openings in registration with said slits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 34 words
The helmet of claim 1 including a screen extending within the interior of the helmet and over at least one of said channels to block entrance of the wearer's hair into said one channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 24 words
The helmet of claim 2 wherein said liner has an uppermost domed portion defining said one channel, and said screen underlies said domed portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
The helmet of claim 2 including padding carried by said liner peripherally adjacent said screen to engage the wearer's head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 18 words
The helmet of claim 1 wherein said helmet extends forwardly and rearwardly, certain of said openings facing forwardly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 19 words
The helmet of claim 5 wherein others of said openings at the rear of the helmet face generally rearwardly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 33 words
The helmet of claim 1 wherein one of said openings is at the center front of the helmet, and certain of said liner channels communicate directly with said one front and center opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 32 words
The helmet of claim 1 including a brow perspiration pad carried by the liner to underlie a front opening through the shell and liner, and exposed for engagement with the wearer's forehead.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 34 words
The helmet of claim 8 wherein said perspiration pad contains at least one through opening and is removably supported so that it may be pulled free of the liner for removal of perspiration therefrom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 21 words
The helmet of claim 9 including head engaging padding carried on the liner and peripherally and removably supporting the perspiration pad.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 32 words
The helmet of claim 3 wherein others of said channels are located in said liner at opposite sides of said domed portion, and extend generally frontwardly and rearwardly relative to the helmet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 51 words
The helmet of claim 3 wherein two of said openings are located relatively forwardly and rearwardly of the helmet, the front opening facing forwardly to pass air from the helmet exterior to said one channel which faces the screen, the rear opening facing rearwardly to receive air from said one channel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 25 words
The helmet of claim 1 including foam buttons removably carried by the liner, for engagement with a wearer's head, the buttons spaced from said channels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 33 words
The helmet of claim 1 including a visor pivotally carried by the helmet, and having detent connection with the helmet for adjustable positioning of the visor in each of at least two positions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 17 words
The helmet of claim 14 wherein the helmet carries pivots to which the visor has removable connections.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 11 words
The helmet of claim 1 wherein the shell consists of NYLON.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 11 words
The helmet of claim 16 wherein the liner consists of polycarbonate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 20 words
The helmet of claim 1 including a visor extending across the front periphery of, and pivotally attached to the helmet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 18 words
The helmet of claim 18 including detent means on the helmet for retaining the visor in selected positions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 64 words
The helmet of claim 1 including a helmet retention system comprising left and right side retention strap sections attached to the helmet, left and right clips attached to said respective sections, rear strap sections attached to the helmet and to the clips, a connector strap section attached to one of the clips and to a connector, the connector detachably connectible with the other clip.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 63 words
The helmet of claim 20 wherein said other clip consists of molded plastic material and defines a hook to which said connector is removably supported, and a cantilevered retainer adapted to be deflected when the connector is applied to the hook or removed therefrom, and which otherwise retains the connector against removal from the hook, said other clip having generally flat planar configuration.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 171 words
In a forwardly extending protective helmet having a top and opposite sides, the helmet including a shell and a protective liner in the shell, the combination comprising (a) at least two forwardly facing air inlet openings formed in each of said opposite sides of the helmet shell, one of said two openings spaced generally forwardly of the other, (b) each of said openings being elongated upwardly and rearwardly and having overall length substantially greater than its width as measured along the major extent of said length, (c) each opening defined by and between shell elongated edges one of which substantially throughout its length is spaced closer to the helmet interior than the other edge, said edges extending upwardly and rearwardly to be inclined rearwardly relative to the top of the helmet, and said edges extending in generally parallel relation through their lengths, (d) the liner extending into proximity to said edges at the inner side of the shell and forming additional through openings in registration with said openings in the shell.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 171 words
In a forwardly extending protective helmet having a top and opposite sides, the helmet including a shell and a protective liner in the shell, the combination comprising (a) at least two forwardly facing air inlet openings formed in each of said opposite sides of the helmet shell, one of said two openings spaced generally forwardly of the other, (b) each of said openings being elongated upwardly and rearwardly and having overall length substantially greater than its width as measured along the major extent of said length, (c) each opening defined by and between shell elongated edges one of which substantially throughout its length is spaced closer to the helmet interior than the other edge, said edges extending upwardly and rearwardly to be inclined rearwardly relative to the top of the helmet, and said edges extending in generally parallel relation through their lengths, (d) the liner extending into proximity to said edges at the inner side of the shell and forming additional through openings in registration with said openings in the shell.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 23 words
The combination of claim 22 wherein there are three of said forwardly facing openings in each of said opposite sides of the helmet.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 65 words
The combination of claim 22 including at least two additional forwardly facing air inlet openings formed in the top of the helmet, one of said two additional openings spaced generally forwardly of the other, each of said two additional openings being elongated transversely of the helmet top and having overall length substantially greater than its width as measured along the major extent of said length.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 37 words
The combination of claim 24 wherein each of said additional openings is defined between helmet elongated edges one of which substantially throughout its length is spaced closer to the helmet interior than the other of said edges.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 159 words
In a forwardly extending protective helmet, the combination including (a) an outer shell containing distributed openings located inwardly of a dome defined by the shell outer surface through which air streams may enter the helmet, said openings defined by transversely elongated, narrow slits of substantially constant width along the lengths of the openings, (b) a liner in said outer shell and supporting same near said openings, (c) the liner forming left and right air flow channels commuicating with said openings, the channels openly facing the interior of the helmet lengthwise of said channels for conducting air toward the rear of the helmet, (d) each slit having two elongated edges, one of which is closer to the helmet interior than the other, the liner forming additional elongated through openings which are in registration with said elongated slits and which are located closer to the helmet interior than said edges, whereby the slit edges are protectively spaced from the helmet interior.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 159 words
In a forwardly extending protective helmet, the combination including (a) an outer shell containing distributed openings located inwardly of a dome defined by the shell outer surface through which air streams may enter the helmet, said openings defined by transversely elongated, narrow slits of substantially constant width along the lengths of the openings, (b) a liner in said outer shell and supporting same near said openings, (c) the liner forming left and right air flow channels commuicating with said openings, the channels openly facing the interior of the helmet lengthwise of said channels for conducting air toward the rear of the helmet, (d) each slit having two elongated edges, one of which is closer to the helmet interior than the other, the liner forming additional elongated through openings which are in registration with said elongated slits and which are located closer to the helmet interior than said edges, whereby the slit edges are protectively spaced from the helmet interior.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 184 words
In a forwardly extending protective helmet having a top and opposite sides, the helmet including a shell and a protective liner in the shell, the combination comprising (a) at least two forwardly facing air inlet openings formed in each of said opposite sides of the helmet shell, one of said two openings spaced generally forwardly of the other, (b) each of said openings being elongated upwardly and rearwardly and having overall length substantially greater than its width as measured along the major extent of said length, (c) each opening defined by and between shell elongated edges one of which substantially throughout its length is spaced closer to the helmet interior than the other edge, said edges extending upwardly and rearwardly to be inclined rearwardly relative to the top of the helmet, and said edges extending in generally parallel relation through their lengths, (d) the liner forming additional elongated through openings which are in registration with said elongated openings in the shell, and which are located closer to the helmet interior than said edges, whereby the shell edges are protectively spaced from the helmet interior.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 184 words
In a forwardly extending protective helmet having a top and opposite sides, the helmet including a shell and a protective liner in the shell, the combination comprising (a) at least two forwardly facing air inlet openings formed in each of said opposite sides of the helmet shell, one of said two openings spaced generally forwardly of the other, (b) each of said openings being elongated upwardly and rearwardly and having overall length substantially greater than its width as measured along the major extent of said length, (c) each opening defined by and between shell elongated edges one of which substantially throughout its length is spaced closer to the helmet interior than the other edge, said edges extending upwardly and rearwardly to be inclined rearwardly relative to the top of the helmet, and said edges extending in generally parallel relation through their lengths, (d) the liner forming additional elongated through openings which are in registration with said elongated openings in the shell, and which are located closer to the helmet interior than said edges, whereby the shell edges are protectively spaced from the helmet interior.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 75 words
The combination of claim 27 including at least two additional forwardly facing air inlet openings formed in the shell at the top of the helmet, one of said two additional openings spaced generally forwardly of the other, each of said two additional openings being elongated transversely of the helmet top and having overall length substantially greater than its width as measured along the major extent of said length, and defined between generally parallel opposite edges.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-03-06 1987-09-05 1988-03-06 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-03-06 1991-09-05 1992-03-06 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-03-06 1995-09-05 1996-03-06 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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