Patents by Inventor Hilgard N. Muller

Hilgard N. Muller has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230165335
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved helmet. The helmet has a visor that can quickly and easily attach and detach from a forward-facing position on the front portion of the helmet to a backward-facing position on the rear portion of the helmet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: Kids ProLids IP, LLC
    Inventors: Brett G. Baker, Michael Velasquez, JR., Hilgard N. Muller
  • Patent number: 10646002
    Abstract: A strap adjustor can comprise a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a third surface that extends between the first surface and the second surface. A first opening in the first surface can extend completely through the strap adjustor between the first surface and the second surface. A second opening in the first surface can extend partially but not completely through the strap adjustor. A bar can be disposed at the first surface between the first opening and the second opening. A third opening in the third surface can extends partially but not completely through the strap adjustor and join with the second opening. At least one strap can be disposed partially through the third opening, and the at least one strap can comprise an uncompressed thickness that is greater than a height of the third opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Hilgard N. Muller
  • Patent number: 10219577
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an integrated fit and retention system is provided. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the integrated fit and retention system includes a first rigid strap and a second rigid strap, each having a first end and a second end. The first end of each rigid strap is coupled to a helmet body proximate a front of the helmet body, and the second end of each rigid strap is coupled to the helmet body proximate a rear of the helmet body. The integrated fit and retention system also includes a chin strap operable to couple the first and second rigid straps beneath a chin of a wearer. In particular embodiments, the integrated fit and retention system may further include a fit strap coupling the first and second rigid straps, that may be configured to sit below an occipital lobe of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Hilgard N. Muller
  • Publication number: 20180295946
    Abstract: A strap adjustor can comprise a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a third surface that extends between the first surface and the second surface. A first opening in the first surface can extend completely through the strap adjustor between the first surface and the second surface. A second opening in the first surface can extend partially but not completely through the strap adjustor. A bar can be disposed at the first surface between the first opening and the second opening. A third opening in the third surface can extends partially but not completely through the strap adjustor and join with the second opening. At least one strap can be disposed partially through the third opening, and the at least one strap can comprise an uncompressed thickness that is greater than a height of the third opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Hilgard N. Muller
  • Patent number: 10039349
    Abstract: A strap adjustor can comprise a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a third surface that extends between the first surface and the second surface. A first opening in the first surface can extend completely through the strap adjustor between the first surface and the second surface. A second opening in the first surface can extend partially but not completely through the strap adjustor. A bar can be disposed at the first surface between the first opening and the second opening. A third opening in the third surface can extends partially but not completely through the strap adjustor and join with the second opening. At least one strap can be disposed partially through the third opening, and the at least one strap can comprise an uncompressed thickness that is greater than a height of the third opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Hilgard N. Muller
  • Patent number: 9872532
    Abstract: A protective helmet may include an energy management material inside an outer surface, a rim positioned on an outwardly facing surface between an inner surface and the outer surface, a sweat management pad assembly with an absorbent forehead pad positioned in a front portion of the helmet proximate the rim, the assembly including at least one absorbent extension tab extending from the absorbent forehead pad and across a portion of a surface of the rim outward of the inner surface of the energy management material, wherein the absorbent extension tab extends at least half a distance across the rim between the inner surface and the outer surface, and a fastener positioned between the absorbent extension tab and the rim and coupling the absorbent extension tab to the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Hilgard N. Muller
  • Publication number: 20170347736
    Abstract: A helmet can include an energy absorbing shell including an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. A fit system member can be coupled to a rear of the energy absorbing shell to adjust a fit of the helmet for a user. A sliding layer can include an outer sliding layer surface oriented towards the inner surface of the energy absorbing shell and an inner sliding layer surface opposite the outer surface. The sliding layer can include at least one attachment member and at least one integrated fit system arm. The at least one integrated fit system arm can be coupled to the fit system member. An elastomeric member can include a first end coupled to the energy absorbing shell and a second end coupled to the attachment member of the sliding layer. Comfort padding can be coupled to the inner surface of the Sliding layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Benjamin W. Penner, Hilgard N. Muller, Ben D. Pritz, Gregg T. Jacobsen
  • Publication number: 20170273389
    Abstract: A protective helmet may include an energy management material inside an outer surface, a rim positioned on an outwardly facing surface between an inner surface and the outer surface, a sweat management pad assembly with an absorbent forehead pad positioned in a front portion of the helmet proximate the rim, the assembly including at least one absorbent extension tab extending from the absorbent forehead pad and across a portion of a surface of the rim outward of the inner surface of the energy management material, wherein the absorbent extension tab extends at least half a distance across the rim between the inner surface and the outer surface, and a fastener positioned between the absorbent extension tab and the rim and coupling the absorbent extension tab to the rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventor: Hilgard N. Muller
  • Patent number: 9756893
    Abstract: An integrated fit and retention system is provided that includes a first rigid strap and a second rigid strap, each having a first end and a second end. The first end of each rigid strap is coupled to a helmet body proximate a front of the helmet body, and the second end of each rigid strap is coupled to the helmet body proximate a rear of the helmet body. The integrated fit and retention system also includes a chin strap operable to couple the first and second rigid straps beneath a chin of a wearer. In particular embodiments, the integrated fit and retention system may further include a fit strap coupling the first and second rigid straps, that may be configured to sit below an occipital lobe of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Hilgard N Muller
  • Publication number: 20150272280
    Abstract: A strap adjustor can comprise a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a third surface that extends between the first surface and the second surface. A first opening in the first surface can extend completely through the strap adjustor between the first surface and the second surface. A second opening in the first surface can extend partially but not completely through the strap adjustor. A bar can be disposed at the first surface between the first opening and the second opening. A third opening in the third surface can extends partially but not completely through the strap adjustor and join with the second opening. At least one strap can be disposed partially through the third opening, and the at least one strap can comprise an uncompressed thickness that is greater than a height of the third opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventor: Hilgard N. Muller
  • Patent number: 7636954
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a helmet attachment system is provided. The system includes a helmet. The system also includes a platform coupled to the helmet. The platform has a length, a width, and a thickness. The platform is configured to allow a device to be coupled to the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Arne Lang-Ree, Hilgard N. Muller
  • Patent number: 7222374
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a fitting system for a helmet is provided. The fitting system includes a belt having supported racks coupled to a belt adjustment device. The belt adjustment device is operable to allow a user to tighten the belt, and release the belt at a single touch of a release actuator. The belt adjustment device and the racks are configured to hug the occiput of a user when the helmet is properly worn. The belt adjustment device is also operable to hold the rear straps of the helmet apart but is not attached to the helmet. The belt defines a collapsible button for securing a pad. The pad defines a substantially lateral compressed strip that is operable to urge the pad against the belt. The belt adjustment device and the belt are configured to allow rear straps of the helmet to approximately directly approach the chin of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Musal, Hilgard N. Muller
  • Patent number: 7140049
    Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, a system for protecting a device formed from polystyrene is provided. The system includes a body formed from polystyrene. The system also includes a protective layer formed from thermoplastic elastomer. The protective layer is coupled to the body during a molding process used to form the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Arne Lang-Ree, Hilgard N. Muller
  • Patent number: D775767
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilgard N. Muller, Nicole Rene Singson, Gregg T. Jacobsen, Daniel Cram
  • Patent number: D794255
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilgard N. Muller, Nicole Rene Singson, Gregg T. Jacobsen, Daniel Cram