US6292952B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Insert-molded helmet
Assignee: Sportscope
•
Filing: 1998-09-25
•
Granted: 2001-09-25
•
Expires: 2018-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A comfortable, self-adjusting, protective helmet made from a process of insert molding. The helmet comprises an armature or insert made of a porous material that is embedded in the layers of the helmet to connect the structural parts of the helmet to one another. The armature as used in the helmet also serves several other functions which include hinging and sizing. A retention system is strategically located on the helmet to provide increased stabilization of the helmet on the wearer's head. One embodiment of this invention is an insert-molded helmet that can be converted into a pouch. A further embodiment of this invention includes a protrusion at the back of a helmet suitable for a compartment.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Watters
- 👤 John C. Tutton
- 👤 Aldo F. Balatti
- 👤 Mark A. Fletcher
- 👤 Nicholas Shewchenko
- 👤 Timothy Douglas Bayne
- 👤 Christopher Robert Patrick Withnall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:17
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/32; A42B3/324; A42B3/04; A42B3/08; A42B3/322
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
40 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, and an armature embedded in and which connects a pair of frontmost segmented peripheral panels via a back segmented panel of the helmet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
40 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, and an armature embedded in and which connects a pair of frontmost segmented peripheral panels via a back segmented panel of the helmet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The helmet of claim 1 wherein the plurality of segmented panels comprises five peripheral panels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The helmet of claim 1 wherein the plurality of segmented peripheral panels includes a pair of panels with each of the pair being disposed along the side of a wearer's head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The helmet of claim 1 wherein the armature comprises a porous, flexible material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The helmet of claim 1 further comprising a decorative shell covering an outer surface of the helmet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The helmet of claim 1 further comprising an article-carrying pouch cavity formed by folding the helmet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The helmet of claim 6 further comprising means for attaching the helmet about a wearer's waist.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The helmet of claim 6 further comprising means for carrying the helmet suspended from a wearer's shoulder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The helmet of claim 6 further comprising means for latching one side of the helmet to another side of the helmet in order to maintain the pouch cavity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The helmet of claim 1 wherein the armature is a one-piece armature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The helmet of claim 1 wherein the armature is a single-piece armature and is embedded in each of the peripheral panels, wherein the armature connects each said peripheral panel to the other immediately adjacent said peripheral panel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, and an armature embedded in and which connects directly at least one pair of the segmented peripheral panels, and at least one top panel coupled to at least one of the segmented peripheral panels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, and an armature embedded in and which connects directly at least one pair of the segmented peripheral panels, and at least one top panel coupled to at least one of the segmented peripheral panels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
85 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, the segmented peripheral panels disposed laterally about the wearer's head, and an armature embedded in and which connects directly at least one pair of the segmented peripheral panels, wherein the plurality of segmented peripheral panels comprise at least two peripheral panels on each side of the wearer's head and a back panel, and further comprising a top panel coupled to at least one of the segmented peripheral panels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
85 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, the segmented peripheral panels disposed laterally about the wearer's head, and an armature embedded in and which connects directly at least one pair of the segmented peripheral panels, wherein the plurality of segmented peripheral panels comprise at least two peripheral panels on each side of the wearer's head and a back panel, and further comprising a top panel coupled to at least one of the segmented peripheral panels.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The helmet as defined in claim 13 , wherein the top panel spans a gap between the side panels.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
72 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, an armature embedded in and which connects directly at least one pair of the segmented peripheral panels, and at least one top panel coupled to at least one of the segmented peripheral panels, wherein the at least one top panel of the helmet is fitted to the peripheral panels with loops formed by the armature.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
72 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, an armature embedded in and which connects directly at least one pair of the segmented peripheral panels, and at least one top panel coupled to at least one of the segmented peripheral panels, wherein the at least one top panel of the helmet is fitted to the peripheral panels with loops formed by the armature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
89 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, an armature embedded in and which connects directly at least one pair of the segmented peripheral panels, and at least one top panel coupled to at least one of the segmented peripheral panels, wherein one armature is insert-molded within the peripheral panels, a second armature is insert-molded within the at least one top panel, and the two armatures are connected to secure the at least one top panel to the peripheral panels.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
89 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, an armature embedded in and which connects directly at least one pair of the segmented peripheral panels, and at least one top panel coupled to at least one of the segmented peripheral panels, wherein one armature is insert-molded within the peripheral panels, a second armature is insert-molded within the at least one top panel, and the two armatures are connected to secure the at least one top panel to the peripheral panels.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, an armature embedded in and which connects directly at least one pair of the segmented peripheral panels, and a protrusion extending from a back side of the helmet and a compartment within the protrusion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
51 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, an armature embedded in and which connects directly at least one pair of the segmented peripheral panels, and a protrusion extending from a back side of the helmet and a compartment within the protrusion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
60 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, an armature embedded in and which connects directly at least one pair of the segmented peripheral panels, and a retention system including: a fixed-length chinstrap having a left side and a right side; a nape strap, and at least one plastic tensioning guide.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
60 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, an armature embedded in and which connects directly at least one pair of the segmented peripheral panels, and a retention system including: a fixed-length chinstrap having a left side and a right side; a nape strap, and at least one plastic tensioning guide.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
58 words
The helmet of claim 9 , wherein the left and right sides of the chinstrap are routed through a top panel of the helmet; the nape strap is attached to an exterior surface of a back side of the helmet; and one of the chinstrap and the nape strap passes through the at least one plastic tensioning guide.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
94 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, an armature embedded in and which connects directly at least one pair of the segmented peripheral panels, and a strap guide including; a one-piece tab; an interior receptacle molded in to the helmet; and an exterior receptacle molded into the helmet, wherein the tab is inserted through one of the interior and exterior receptacles until the tab is exposed through the other of the interior and exterior receptacles, then the tab is twisted into a locked position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
94 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, an armature embedded in and which connects directly at least one pair of the segmented peripheral panels, and a strap guide including; a one-piece tab; an interior receptacle molded in to the helmet; and an exterior receptacle molded into the helmet, wherein the tab is inserted through one of the interior and exterior receptacles until the tab is exposed through the other of the interior and exterior receptacles, then the tab is twisted into a locked position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The helmet of claim 20 further comprising a protrusion within the interior receptacle for preventing twisting of the tab.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
43 words
A helmet comprising, a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, and a singular armature sequentially and serially coupled to each of the segmented peripheral panels, such that the segmented peripheral panels are connected to one another.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
A helmet comprising, a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, and a singular armature sequentially and serially coupled to each of the segmented peripheral panels, such that the segmented peripheral panels are connected to one another.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The helmet of claim 22 wherein the plurality of segmented peripheral panels comprises a pair of two segmented peripheral panels, each of the pair being disposed on opposite sides of a wearer's head.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
The helmet of claim 22 wherein the plurality of segmented peripheral panels comprises at least two peripheral panels on each side of the wearer's head and a back panel disposed on the back of the wearer's head.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The helmet of claim 22 wherein the plurality of segmented peripheral panels comprises five panels.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
56 words
A helmet comprising plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, an armature sequentially and serially coupled to each of the segmented peripheral panels, such that the peripheral segmented panels are connected to one another, and at least one top panel coupled to at least one of the segmented peripheral panels.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
56 words
A helmet comprising plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, an armature sequentially and serially coupled to each of the segmented peripheral panels, such that the peripheral segmented panels are connected to one another, and at least one top panel coupled to at least one of the segmented peripheral panels.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
84 words
A helmet comprising, a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, the segmented peripheral panels comprising at least two panels on each side of the wearer's head and a back panel disposed on the back of the wearer's head; an armature sequentially and serially coupled to each of the segmented peripheral panels such that the segmented peripheral panels are connected to one another; and at least one top panel coupled to at least one of the peripheral panels.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
84 words
A helmet comprising, a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, the segmented peripheral panels comprising at least two panels on each side of the wearer's head and a back panel disposed on the back of the wearer's head; an armature sequentially and serially coupled to each of the segmented peripheral panels such that the segmented peripheral panels are connected to one another; and at least one top panel coupled to at least one of the peripheral panels.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels disposed laterally about and conforming in shape to a wearer's head, and a singular armature embedded in and which connects directly at least three of the segmented peripheral panels.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
A helmet comprising a plurality of segmented peripheral panels disposed laterally about and conforming in shape to a wearer's head, and a singular armature embedded in and which connects directly at least three of the segmented peripheral panels.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The helmet of claim 28 , further comprising at least one top panel coupled to at least one of the segmented peripheral panels.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
58 words
A helmet, comprising: a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, the segmented peripheral panels disposed laterally about the wearer's head, and an armature embedded in and which connects directly at least one pair of the segmented peripheral panels, wherein the armature passes through at least one of the segmented peripheral panels.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
58 words
A helmet, comprising: a plurality of segmented peripheral panels that conform in shape to a wearer's head, the segmented peripheral panels disposed laterally about the wearer's head, and an armature embedded in and which connects directly at least one pair of the segmented peripheral panels, wherein the armature passes through at least one of the segmented peripheral panels.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-09-24 | 2005-03-26 | 2005-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-09-24 | 2009-03-26 | 2009-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-09-24 | 2013-03-26 | 2013-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |