US6434755B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Helmet
Assignee: Schutt Sports IP LLC
•
Filing: 2000-06-02
•
Granted: 2002-08-20
•
Expires: 2020-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A helmet which includes a substantially rigid shell having a shell thickness defined by a substantially continuous exterior surface spaced apart from a substantially continuous interior surface. A one-piece first shock attenuating member is positioned adjacent to and in substantially in contact with portions of the interior surface of the shell. The first shock attenuating member has a first thickness and a first compression deflection. A plurality of discrete second shock attenuating members are positioned adjacent to portions of the first shock attenuating member and adjacent to and in substantially in contact with portions of the interior surface of the shell. Each second shock attenuating member has a second thickness and a second density, with the second thickness being greater than the first thickness and the second compression deflection being less than the first compression deflection.
Inventors
- 👤 P. David Halstead
- 👤 Cherie F. Alexander
- 👤 Thad Ide
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:12
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/06; A42B3/062; A42B3/065; A42B3/10; A42B3/12; A42B3/125; A42B3/128; A42B3/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A helmet for wearing on a cranium of a user, the helmet comprising: a substantially rigid shell having a shell thickness defined by a substantially continuous exterior surface spaced apart from a substantially continuous interior surface; a substantially rigid one-piece first shock attenuating member positioned adjacent to and substantially in contact with portions of the interior surface of the shell, the first shock attenuating member having a first thickness and a first compression deflection; and a plurality of discrete second shock attenuating members, each second shock attenuating member being positioned adjacent to and having a non-interference fit with a portion of the first shock attenuating member and adjacent to and substantially in contact with portions of the interior surface of the shell, each second shock attenuating member having a second thickness and a second compression deflection, with the second thickness being greater than the first thickness and the second compression deflection being less than the first compression deflection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A helmet for wearing on a cranium of a user, the helmet comprising: a substantially rigid shell having a shell thickness defined by a substantially continuous exterior surface spaced apart from a substantially continuous interior surface; a substantially rigid one-piece first shock attenuating member positioned adjacent to and substantially in contact with portions of the interior surface of the shell, the first shock attenuating member having a first thickness and a first compression deflection; and a plurality of discrete second shock attenuating members, each second shock attenuating member being positioned adjacent to and having a non-interference fit with a portion of the first shock attenuating member and adjacent to and substantially in contact with portions of the interior surface of the shell, each second shock attenuating member having a second thickness and a second compression deflection, with the second thickness being greater than the first thickness and the second compression deflection being less than the first compression deflection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the first compression deflection is from about 18 to about 80 lbs./in 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the second compression deflection is from about 8 to about 30 lbs./in 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the first thickness is from about ½ to about 1 inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the second thickness is from about ⅝ inch to about 1 ⅛ inch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the first shock attenuating member comprises expanded polypropylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The helmet of claim 1 , wherein each of the second shock attenuating members comprises a vinyl nitrile member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the first attenuating member has inwardly facing surfaces which face generally away from the shell and toward cranial surfaces of a user's cranium when the helmet is worn by a user, the helmet further comprising a pliable comfort member having outwardly facing surfaces positioned to abut the inwardly facing surfaces of the first attenuating member and inwardly facing surfaces which face generally toward the cranial surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The helmet of claim 8 , further comprising a fit system for improving the fit of the helmet to the cranium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The helmet of claim 9 , wherein the fit system is fluid-filled.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
A helmet, comprising a shell having a rear portion and opposite side portions having ear holes and an offset defined on a substantially continuous portion of the shell extending between the rear and opposite side portions for increasing the flexural resistance of the shell, wherein the offset extends substantially between the ear holes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
A helmet, comprising a shell having a rear portion and opposite side portions having ear holes and an offset defined on a substantially continuous portion of the shell extending between the rear and opposite side portions for increasing the flexural resistance of the shell, wherein the offset extends substantially between the ear holes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2296335A
Cited
US2634415A
Cited
US3568210A
Cited
US4060855A
Cited
US4239106A
Cited
US4345338A
Cited
US4534068A
Cited
US4558470A
Cited
US4627114A
Cited
US4808469A
Cited
US4845786A
Cited
US5010598A
Cited
US5035009A
Cited
US5361410A
Cited
US5867840A
Cited
US5862528A
Cited
US5940890A
Cited
US5734994A
Cited
US5950244A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-08-19 | 2006-02-18 | 2006-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-19 | 2010-02-18 | 2010-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-19 | 2014-02-18 | 2014-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |