US6154889A — Protective helmet

Claim 1

Independent Claim 68 words

A protective helmet comprising, a resilient shell having an elastic modulus of greater than 400,000 psi and a flexural strength of greater than 400,000 psi, the shell having a plurality of slits, each slit having a first end located at a lower edge of the shell and having an adjustable width effective for adjusting the size of the shell; and an energy absorbing liner disposed inside the shell.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 68 words

A protective helmet comprising, a resilient shell having an elastic modulus of greater than 400,000 psi and a flexural strength of greater than 400,000 psi, the shell having a plurality of slits, each slit having a first end located at a lower edge of the shell and having an adjustable width effective for adjusting the size of the shell; and an energy absorbing liner disposed inside the shell.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 27 words

The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the shell has an elastic modulus of greater than 700,000 psi and a flexural strength of greater than 700,000 psi.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 27 words

The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the shell has an elastic modulus of greater than 1,000,000 psi and a flexural strength of greater than 1,000,000 psi.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 37 words

The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the shell is made of a thermoset resin and wherein the shell has an elastic modulus of greater than 500,000 psi and a flexural strength of greater than 500,000 psi.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 16 words

The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the shell is made from a reinforced thermoplastic material.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 19 words

The helmet according to claim 5, wherein the reinforced thermoplastic material has a glass content of 30% to 65%.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 15 words

The helmet according to claim 5, wherein the thermoplastic material is reinforced with reinforcing fiber.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 12 words

The helmet according to claim 5, wherein the thermoplastic material is polypropylene.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 12 words

The helmet according to claim 1, wherein each slit is vertically oriented.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 34 words

The helmet according to claim 1, wherein each slit is defined by a pair of edges, the size of the shell being adjustable by bringing the edges of at least one slit closer together.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 14 words

The helmet according to claim 10, wherein each of the edges are generally straight.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 16 words

The helmet according to claim 10, wherein each pair of edges have a matching non-uniform geometry.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 14 words

The helmet according to claim 12, wherein the non-uniform geometry is a sawtooth-type pattern.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 41 words

The helmet according to claim 10, further comprising an alignment insert having a "H" shaped cross section, the insert disposed in one of the slits so that the insert receives the edges of the slit and holds the edges in alignment.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 12 words

The helmet according to claim 10, further comprising a slit adjustment device.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 17 words

The helmet according to claim 15, wherein a separate slit adjustment device is provided for each slit.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 60 words

The helmet according to claim 15, wherein the slit adjustment device is a turnbuckle assembly having a first stud secured to the shell, a second stud secured to the shell, and a turbuckle crossing at least one slit, the turnbuckle having a first end threadably engaged with the first stud and a second end threadably engaged with the second stud.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 95 words

The helmet according to claim 15, wherein the slit adjustment device is a toothed clip assembly having a first clip, the first clip having outwardly projecting teeth and secured to the shell adjacent one of the edges of one of the slits, and a second clip, the second clip having inwardly projecting teeth and secured to the shell adjacent the other of the edges of the slit, the teeth of the first clip and the teeth of the second clip interlocking to prevent the clips from moving with respect to each other when compressed together.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 19 words

The helmet according to claim 1, wherein each slit has a second end terminated with a stress relief hole.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 13 words

The helmet according to claim 1, wherein there are at least four slits.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 13 words

The helmet according to claim 1, wherein there are at least six slits.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 11 words

The helmet according to claim 1, wherein there are six slits.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 29 words

The helmet according to claim 1, wherein each slit has a second end and a width of the first end is greater than a width of the second end.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 15 words

The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the liner is made from expanded polystyrene foam.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 33 words

The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the liner is provided with a plurality of notches, the notches allowing the liner to adjust in size when the size of the shell is adjusted.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 16 words

The helmet according to claim 25, wherein each notch is associated with one of the slits.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 19 words

The helmet according to claim 26, wherein each notch is offset in a rearward direction from each associated slit.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 18 words

The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the liner is attached to an interior surface of the shell.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 22 words

The helmet according to claim 1, further comprising a fleece, the fleece adapted to hang from the lower edge of the shell.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 24 words

The helmet according to claim 29, wherein the fleece has a series of tabs, the tabs being held between the shell and the liner.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 17 words

The helmet according to claim 30, wherein each tab is positioned to cover one of the slits.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 33 words

The helmet according to claim 30, wherein each tab is movable from a first position where the tab is positioned to cover one of the slits to a second position under a flap.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 154 words

A protective helmet comprising, a resilient shell having an elastic modulus of greater than 400,000 psi and a flexural strength of greater than 400,000 psi, the shell having a plurality of slits, each slit having a first end located at a lower edge of the shell and having an adjustable width effective for adjusting the size of the shell, each slit being defined by a pair of edges, the size of the shell being adjustable by bringing the edges of at least one slit closer together by means of a slit adjustment device; said slit adjustment device being a compression band assembly having a band, the band having a first end secured to the shell, the band crossing at least one slit and having a second end threadably secured to a fastener, the fastener being held by an anchor, the anchor being secured to the shell; an energy absorbing liner disposed inside the shell.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 154 words

A protective helmet comprising, a resilient shell having an elastic modulus of greater than 400,000 psi and a flexural strength of greater than 400,000 psi, the shell having a plurality of slits, each slit having a first end located at a lower edge of the shell and having an adjustable width effective for adjusting the size of the shell, each slit being defined by a pair of edges, the size of the shell being adjustable by bringing the edges of at least one slit closer together by means of a slit adjustment device; said slit adjustment device being a compression band assembly having a band, the band having a first end secured to the shell, the band crossing at least one slit and having a second end threadably secured to a fastener, the fastener being held by an anchor, the anchor being secured to the shell; an energy absorbing liner disposed inside the shell.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-12-05	2004-06-05	2004-12-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-12-05	2008-06-05	2008-12-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-12-05	2012-06-05	2012-12-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Protective helmet

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag