Strap Systems and Methods for Vented Helmets

Abstract

A helmet is provided that can include a body defining a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a first lateral end and a second lateral end opposite the first lateral end. The body further defines one or more vents extending therethrough. The helmet also includes a structure at least partially embedded in the body and encircling at least one vent of the one or more vents, and a strap hanger coupled to the structure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/343,925 filed on May 19, 2022, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

N/A.

BACKGROUND

Helmets are generally worn to provide a buffer between a user's head and an object that comes into contact with the helmet. While helmets are used during various activities, such as during construction, mining, etc., a large proportion of manufactured helmets are used for sporting activities. For example, bicycle helmets are worn by cyclists, which when worn appropriately under certain circumstances can help to provide a buffer in the event of a fall or crash. Generally, such helmets are secured in place by a strap system consisting of straps attached to left and right sides of the helmet, respectively, and each including mating latch features that can be secured together under the wearer's chin. In the event of a fall or crash, the localized attachment points between the straps and the helmet can experience significant retention loads. It would be desirable to have systems and methods for helmet constructions that allow for improved strap retention load distribution.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Some embodiments of the disclosure provide a helmet. The helmet can include a body defining a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a first lateral end and a second lateral end opposite the first lateral end. The body further defines one or more vents extending therethrough. The helmet also includes a structure at least partially embedded in the body and encircling at least one vent of the one or more vents, and a strap hanger coupled to the structure.

In some embodiments, the structure is a cage. In some embodiments, the cage comprises multiple longitudinal beams that extend between the rear end and the front end. The cage further comprises a transverse beam that extends between the first lateral end and the second lateral end, where the transverse beam is coupled to one or more of the multiple longitudinal beams. The one or more vents are situated between different pairs of adjacent longitudinal beams of the multiple longitudinal beams. In some embodiments, the body fully encapsulates the multiple longitudinal beams of the cage and partially encapsulates the transverse beam. Additionally, in some embodiments, the transverse beam extends through at least one of the one or more vents.

In some embodiments, the structure is a butterfly. Further, in some embodiments, the butterfly comprises a front butterfly located within the body proximate the front end and a rear butterfly located within the body proximate the rear end.

In some embodiments, the strap hanger comprises a clip, a strap receiver configured to receive a strap therethrough, and webbing that connects the clip to the strap receiver. In some embodiments, the clip is configured to snap onto the structure via a press-fit engagement. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the strap hanger is partially encapsulated by the body, and the strap receiver remains exposed outside of the body to receive the strap therethough after the strap hanger is partially encapsulated by the body. In some embodiments, the clip, the strap, and the webbing are integrally formed.

In some embodiments, the strap hanger includes a first front strap hanger located near the front end along the first lateral end, a second front strap hanger located near the front end along the second lateral end, a first rear strap hanger located near the rear end along the first lateral end, and a second rear strap hanger located near the rear end along the second lateral end. In some embodiments, the first front strap hanger and the first rear strap hanger are identical. Additionally, in some embodiments, the strap hanger is made of plastic.

Some embodiments provide a helmet that can include a body, a cage, and a strap hanger. The body defines one or more vents extending therethrough. The cage is at least partially embedded in the body and encircles at least one vent of the one or more vents. The strap hanger is coupled to the cage.

In some embodiments, the strap hanger comprises a clip, a strap receiver configured to receive a strap therethrough, and webbing that connects the clip to the strap receiver. In some embodiments, the clip snaps onto the cage via a press-fit engagement. In some embodiments, the clip includes two clips that each snap onto the cage. Additionally, in some embodiments, the webbing includes two wings that extend outward from the strap receiver.

In some embodiments, the cage defines a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a first lateral end and a second lateral end opposite the first lateral end. The cage also comprises multiple longitudinal beams that extend between the rear end and the front end, and a transverse beam that extends between the first lateral end and the second lateral end. The transverse beam is coupled to one or more of the multiple longitudinal beams. The one or more vents are situated between different pairs of adjacent longitudinal beams of the multiple longitudinal beams.

The foregoing and other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will appear from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which there is shown by way of illustration one or more exemplary versions. These versions do not necessarily represent the full scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are provided to help illustrate various features of non-limiting examples of the disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or exclude alternative implementations.

FIG. 1 shows a front isometric view of an example helmet.

FIG. 2 shows a front isometric view of an example cage of the helmet of FIG. 1 in an assembled configuration.

FIG. 3 shows a rear isometric view of the cage of FIG. 2, also in an assembled configuration.

FIG. 4 shows an underside isometric view of an example strap hanger of the helmet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows an inner isometric view of another example strap hanger of the helmet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the strap hanger taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows an underside isometric view of the helmet of FIG. 1

FIG. 8 shows a front isometric view of an example body of the helmet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 shows a front isometric view of an example shell of the helmet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 shows a front isometric view of another example helmet.

FIG. 11 shows a front isometric view of example structural supports of the helmet of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows a front view of the helmet of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 shows a front view of structural supports of the helmet of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 shows a rear view of the helmet of FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 shows a rear view of the structural supports of the helmet of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Bicycle helmets can help provide a buffer during certain activities. These helmets often include a generally hemispherical body, made of one or more internal support structures and surrounding foam material, with a cavity that receives the head of the user. Straps are coupled to the hemispherical body to be secured around the user's chin, e.g., via a clip. For example, each strap may be wrapped around one of the support structures and secured to itself. However, this engagement adds extra steps to the assembly process prior to encapsulating the support structures in the foam material, does not allow for strap replacement, and continued movement of the straps, e.g., when securing and releasing the straps or during falls or crashes, may affect the foam material around where the straps emerge. In another example, each strap may be coupled to a floating structure embedded within the foam material. However, pulling of the straps, for example during a fall, a crash, or when securing the helmet, can cause significant localized forces adjacent the floating structure. On the other hand, enhanced embodiments described herein provide a helmet including a body having a foam material that defines one or more vents, one or more support structures embedded in the foam material and encircling one or more of the vents, and strap hangers that are coupled to the support structure(s) and accessible from outside the body. Such embodiments permit straps to be tied into the helmet post-assembly and distribute forces from pulled straps throughout the support structures of the helmet rather than localized areas within the foam body.

For example, FIG. 1 shows a front isometric view of a helmet 100 according to some example embodiments. The helmet 100 can define a front end 102, a rear end 104, and lateral ends 106, 108. The helmet 100 can include a cage 110, a body 112 that partially encapsulates the cage 110, and a shell 114 that is positioned on top of and is coupled to the body 112. The helmet 100 also includes one or more vents 116 defined by the cage 110, the body 112, and/or the shell 114, each of which extends longitudinally between the rear end 104 of the helmet 100 and the front end 102 of the helmet 100. As shown, one or more of the vents 116, may not extend an entire length of the helmet 100 from the rear end 104 to the front end 102 but, rather, may only extend a portion of the length of the helmet 100. Additionally, the helmet 100 can include one or more rear vents 117, defined by the cage 110, the body 112, and/or the shell 114, located at the rear end 104 of the helmet 100.

Generally, the cage 110 can form a structural support for the helmet 100. For example, in some embodiments, portions of the cage 110 can enclose or encircle the vents 116, 117 and/or portions of the cage 110 can extend through one or more vents 116, 117. As a result, the cage 110 can provide sufficient structural integrity while still allowing the vents 116, 117 to decrease the bulkiness and weight of the helmet 100, and provide airflow paths, allowing air to flow into and out of the vents 116, 117 to facilitate sweat evaporation from the wearer's head.

FIG. 2 shows a front isometric view of the cage 110 in an assembled configuration, while FIG. 3 shows a rear isometric view of the cage 110, also in an assembled configuration. As shown, the cage 110 can define a front end 118, a rear end 120, and opposing lateral ends 122, 124. The cage 110 can include rims 126, 128, one or more longitudinal beams 130, one or more transverse beams 132, plates 134, 136, and joists 138, 140. In some embodiments, the rims 126, 128, the longitudinal beams 130, the transverse beams 132, and the joists 138, 140 can each be formed of a single filament of a flexible material or a braided filament of flexible material (e.g., braided aramid). Furthermore, one or more strap hangers 142, 144 can be coupled to the cage 110, as further described below.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rim 126 (e.g., a lower rim) extends around the lower periphery of the cage 110. Situated above the rim 126 is the rim 128 (e.g., an upper rim), which also extends around the lower periphery of the cage 110. Additionally, in some embodiments, one or more (e.g., each) longitudinal beam 130 extends in a longitudinal direction between the rear end 120 of the cage 110 and the front end 118 of the cage 110. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rim 128 can be coupled to one or more (e.g., each) of the longitudinal beams 130 at coupling locations 146 adjacent the front end 118 of the cage 110 and the rear end 120 of the cage 110. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transverse beams 132 can extend from the rim 128 on the first lateral end 122 to the rim 128 on the second lateral end 124. Also, in some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, one or more (e.g., each) of the transverse beams 132 can be coupled to one or more (e.g., each) of the longitudinal beams 130 at specified coupling locations 146.

Generally, the longitudinal beams 130 and/or the rims 126, 128 can be spaced apart such that the cage 110, and more specifically, the longitudinal beams 130 and/or the rims 126, 128 help define the vents 116. The transverse beams 132 can be spaced apart and positioned relative to the longitudinal beams 130 and/or the rims 126, 128 such that the cage 110, including the transverse beams 132 and/or the rims 126, 128, and some portions of the longitudinal beams 130, can form a structural support that encircles the vents 116. At the rear end 104, the rims 126, 128, the longitudinal beams 130, and the joists 140 can be spaced apart and positioned relative to each other such that the cage 110 and, more specifically, the rims 126, 128, the longitudinal beams 130, and the joists 140 can help define and encircle the rear vents 117. Furthermore, the transverse beams 132 can be spaced apart and positioned relative to the longitudinal beams 130 and/or the rims 126, 128 such that the cage 110, including some portions of the longitudinal beams 130, can extend through the vents 116 and/or the rear vents 117.

Referring still to FIGS. 2 and 3, in some embodiments, the plates 134, 136 can help anchor the transverse beams 132 to the rim 128. For example, the plates 134, 136 can be situated along opposing ends 122, 124 of the cage 110 and are coupled to one or more of (e.g., each of) the transverse beams 132, the rims 126, 128, and/or the joists 138, 140. More specifically, the plate 134 is situated on the lateral end 122 of the cage 110, and a first lateral end of each of the transverse beams 132, a portion of the rim 128, and upper portions of the joists 138, 140 are each coupled to the plate 134. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the plate 134 can comprise multiple layers that are coupled to the beams 132, the rim 128, and/or the joists 138, 140 by being sandwiched around, and, e.g., coupled together around, either side of the beams 132, the rim 128, and the joists 138, 140. That is, the plate 134 can include a set of plates comprising a first or outer plate coupled to an outer surface of the cage 110 and a second or inner plate coupled to an inner surface of the cage 110.

Additionally, the plate 136 is situated on the opposing lateral end 124 of the cage 110, and a second opposite lateral end of each of the transverse beams 132, a portion of the rim 128, and upper portions of the joists 138, 140 are each coupled to the plate 136. The plate 136 can also comprise multiple layers that are coupled to the beams 132, the rim 128, and/or the joists 138, 140 by being sandwiched around, and, e.g., coupled together around, either side of the beams 132, the rim 128, and the joists 138, 140. That is, the plate 136 can include a set of plates comprising a first or outer plate coupled to an outer surface of the cage 110 and a second or inner plate coupled to an inner surface of the cage 110.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the strap hangers 142, 144 can be coupled to a support structure of the helmet 100, such as the cage 110. The strap hangers 142, 144 can receive straps (not shown) to form a strap system of the helmet 100 in order to secure the helmet 100 to a wearer's head. As described below and best shown in FIG. 7, the strap hangers 142, 144 can be at least partially encapsulated by, or embedded within, the body 112, yet in some embodiments still accessible to permit strap installation and/or replacement after the helmet 100 is assembled.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the helmet 100 can include four strap hangers: a front strap hanger 142 and a rear strap hanger 144 configured to be coupled to the cage 110 along the first lateral end 122, and a front strap hanger 142 and a rear strap hanger 144 configured to be coupled to the cage 110 along the second lateral end 124. The front strap hangers 142 can be coupled to the cage 110 closer to the front end 118 of the cage 110 while the rear strap hangers 144 can be coupled to the cage 110 closer to the rear end 120 of the cage 110. However, in other embodiments, the helmet 100 can include two strap hangers, or other numbers of strap hangers, and/or the strap hangers may be coupled along other areas of the cage 110.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each strap hanger 142, 144 can include at least one clip 148, support webbing 150, and a strap receiver 152. For example, the front strap hangers 142 can include two clips 148, support webbing 150, and a strap receiver 152, while the rear strap hangers 144 can include a single clip 148, support webbing 150, and a strap receiver 152. Additionally, each strap hanger 142, 144 can be made of a material, such as plastic, and the clip(s) 148, support webbing 150, and strap receiver 152 can be integrally formed in some embodiments, or separately formed and coupled together in some embodiments. Additionally, while the strap hangers 142, 144 may include different shapes and/or components in some embodiments, in other embodiments, all strap hangers 142, 144 may be identical.

As shown in FIGS. 2-6, each clip 148 can include an outer curved section 154 and inner clip members 156 that collectively define a receiving area 158. The receiving area 158 can be sized to be substantially equal to a cross-section (such as a diameter) of a filament, e.g., of the rim 126 or another portion of the cage 110 (e.g., rim 128). As a result, the clip 148 can be clipped onto the rim 126 (or another portion of the cage 110) such that the rim 126 is received within the receiving area 158 via a press-fit engagement. In other words, the clip 148 can snap onto the cage 110. In some embodiments, however, the receiving area 158 can be larger than the filament and the clip 148 can instead hang on the cage 110 in a loose-fit engagement. In other example embodiments, the clip 148 can include a clamshell construction that hinges about the cage 110 and snap-fits together to capture a portion of the cage 110, therefore retaining the clip 148 to the cage 110. Accordingly, each strap hanger 142, 144 can be coupled to the cage 110 via the clip(s) 148. As a result of this engagement, load forces on a strap coupled to the strap hanger 142, 144 (such as load forces pulling the strap away from the helmet 100, e.g., caused by a fall or crash and/or when the straps are engaged to secure the helmet 100 to a wearer's head) can be distributed throughout the cage 110.

In some embodiments, the webbing 150 can extend at least between the clip 148 and the strap receiver 152. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the webbing 150 can extend outward away from the clip 148 and/or the strap receiver 152. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the rear strap hangers 144 can include webbing 150 with additional outwardly extending wings 160 that extend between the front end 118 and the rear end 120. Generally, the webbing 150 can connect the clip 148 to the strap receiver 152 so that the strap receiver 152 is spaced from the clip 148, allowing the strap receiver 152 to be accessible outside the body 112 while the clip 148, and its engagement with the cage 110, is encapsulated by the body 112, as shown in FIG. 7. The webbing 150 can also provide additional structural support and surface area to help distribute load forces from the strap hanger 142, 144 within the body 112.

As noted above, the strap receivers 152 of the strap hangers 142, 144 can receive straps routed therethrough. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2-7, each strap receiver 152 can include a lower opening 162 connected to an inner opening 164 to form an internal pathway 166 (shown in FIG. 6) through which a strap may be routed. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the internal pathway 166 can include a narrowed section 168 and/or internal protrusions 170. These features can provide friction against a strap while it is routed through the internal pathway 166, yet still allow for movement therethrough. However, in other embodiments, the internal pathway 166 may include a uniform cross-section without friction-causing features. As shown in FIG. 7 and as further described below, both the lower opening 162 and the inner opening 164 are accessible while the remainder of the strap hanger 142, 144 may be substantially encapsulated by the body 112. As a result, straps can be routed through the strap hangers 142, 144 after the helmet 100 is assembled or manufactured, permitting strap replacement or custom strap installation post-assembly or manufacturing of the helmet 100.

Accordingly, as described above, the strap hangers 142, 144, by being coupled to a structural support like the cage 110, can permit retention forces from the straps to be distributed across the helmet 100 rather than localized to strap attachment areas. While the strap hangers 142, 144 are shown and described herein as having the clips 148 that snap directly onto the cage 110, in some embodiments, the cage 110 can include one or more coupling mechanisms, such as receiving clips (not shown), to receive the strap hangers 142, 144.

Referring now to the body 112 of the helmet 100, FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of the body 112. As noted above, the body 112 at least partially encapsulates some portions of the cage 110 and the strap hangers 142, 144. In some embodiments, the body 112 can be formed out of an expansive foam polymer (e.g., EPS foam). The body 112 can define a front end 172, a rear end 174, and opposing lateral ends 176, 178. The body 112 can also include a rim 180 situated around the periphery of the body 112, longitudinal ribs 182, and longitudinal openings 184 that are defined between adjacent longitudinal ribs 182, or the rim 180 and a longitudinal rib 182.

As shown in FIG. 8, each of the longitudinal ribs 182 can generally extend between the rear end 174 and the front end 172 of the body 112. Furthermore, the longitudinal openings 184 can extend in a longitudinal direction between the rear end 174 of the body 112 and the front end 172 of the body 112. Each longitudinal opening 184 corresponds to and partially defines a respective vent 116 of the helmet 100 and, thus, each of the longitudinal openings 184 also receives the transverse beams 132 (e.g., each of the transverse beams 132 extends entirely through each of the longitudinal openings 184).

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 7, the body 112 at least partially encapsulates the cage 110. More specifically, the body 112 can fully encapsulate the cage 110 except for some portions of the transverse beams 132. As a more specific example, the rims 126, 128 are fully encapsulated by the body 112, and all the longitudinal beams 130 are fully encapsulated by the body 112. Thus, each of the longitudinal ribs 182 includes a respective encapsulated longitudinal beam 130. As illustrated, some portions of the transverse beams 132 are encapsulated by the body 112, while other portions are not encapsulated by the body 112 (e.g., do not include any portion of the body 112 surrounding the portion of the transverse beam 132). More specifically, in some embodiments, when assembled, a portion of one or more of the transverse beams 132 extends entirely through a respective vent 116 and is not encapsulated by the body 112 (e.g., does not include any portion of the body 112 surrounding it). Furthermore, as noted above, some portions of the strap hangers 142, 144 are encapsulated by or embedded within the body 112 while other portions, such as the lower opening 162 and the inner opening 164 of the strap receiver 152 are not encapsulated by the body 112, as shown in FIG. 7.

Referring now to the shell 114 of the helmet 100, FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view of the shell 114. When assembled, the shell 114 is positioned on top of the body 112, and the shell 114 can be formed out of a different material as the body 112 and the cage 110 (e.g., a material that has a greater hardness). For example, the shell 114 can be formed out of a relatively rigid material (e.g., a plastic, such as polycarbonate). The shell 114 can define a front end 186, a rear end 188, and opposing lateral ends 190, 192. The shell 114 can include a rim 194 that extends around the periphery of the shell 114, a peripheral flange 196 that is coupled to (or integrally formed with) the rim 194 and which extends towards the center of the shell 114, longitudinal strips 198, and longitudinal openings 200 that are defined either between two adjacent longitudinal strips 198, or a longitudinal strip 198 and a portion of the rim 194. When assembled, each longitudinal strip 198 sits on top of and is coupled to a respective longitudinal rib 182 of the body 112. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 9, the peripheral flange 196 can include apertures 202 (e.g., notches) to permit access to the lower openings 162 and/or the inner openings 164 of the strap hangers 142, 144.

In some embodiments, the cage 110 and the strap hangers 142, 144 can be together overmolded with the body 112, to deposit the body 112 about the cage 110 and the strap hangers 142, 144 so that portions of the cage 110 and the strap hangers 142, 144 are entirely encapsulated within the body 112. For example, the cage 110 and the strap hangers 142, 144 can be coupled together and placed in a mold (not shown) that has a surface that corresponds to the exterior surface of the body 112. In some cases, portions of the cage 110 and the strap hangers 142, 144 that are to be encapsulated with the material of the body 112 are placed between the interior surfaces of the mold, but not in contact with these surfaces of the mold, while portions of the cage 110 and the strap hangers 142, 144 that are not to be encapsulated with the material of the body 112 engage and contact the interior surfaces of the mold. In this way, when the expandable material (e.g., EPS foam) is injected into the mold, the expandable material will fill in to contact the interior surfaces of the mold thereby encapsulating portions of the cage 110 and the strap hangers 142, 144. However, because the portions of the cage 110 and the strap hangers 142, 144 are already in contact with interior surfaces of the mold, the expandable material is prevented from encapsulating this portion of the cage 110 and the strap hangers 142, 144. Regardless of how the cage 110, the strap hangers 142, 144, and the body 112 are coupled together, once these are assembled, the shell 114 is placed on top of and is coupled to the body 112. In some embodiments, the shell 114 of the helmet 100 can also be placed in the mold with the cage 110 and the strap hangers 142, 144 and molded with the body 112 at the same time as the cage 110 and the strap hangers 142, 144.

In light of the above, some embodiments can provide a helmet 100 including a cage 110 that both encircles one or more vents 116, 117 in order to provide structural support to the helmet 100 and receives strap hangers 142, 144 in order to transfer retention load from straps throughout the helmet 100 rather than at localized attachment areas. In such embodiments, the strap hangers 142, 144 can be coupled to the cage 110 and in-molded in the body 112 at the same time as the cage 110. This can improve manufacturing ease for strap systems, as well as improve accessibility, as the strap receivers 152 may be exposed outside of the body 112, permitting strap installation or replacement post-assembly. The strap hangers 142, 144 can also eliminate the need for additional non-structural components floating in the body 112 for receiving straps, which can improve body volume and EPS foam flow during assembly of the body 112.

It should be noted that the cage 110, the body 112, and/or the shell 114 can include different or other features without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the strap hangers 142, 144 can be incorporated with cages of any of the helmets described in international application no. PCT/US2020/018956, filed Mar. 4, 2022, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

It should further be noted that other structural support elements embedded in a body and that encircle vents of a helmet may be also used as load transfer elements for strap hangers. As but one example, FIGS. 10-15 illustrate another helmet 300 according to some embodiments. The helmet 300 can define a front end 302, a rear end 304, and lateral ends 306, 308. The helmet 300 can include a body 312 that defines one or more vents, including front vents 316 and rear vents 317 (shown in FIG. 14).

As shown in FIGS. 11, 13, and 15, the helmet 300 can include one or more structural supports 310, including a front butterfly 318, a rear butterfly 320, and side supports 322, 324. Each of the supports 310, that is, the front butterfly 318, the rear butterfly 320, and the side supports 322, 324 can be encapsulated by the body 312 and encircle one or more vents 316, 317 of the helmet 300, similar to the cage 110 of the helmet 100. More specifically, the front butterfly 318 can be positioned at the front end 302 and can encircle some of the front vents 316. The side supports 322, 324 can be positioned near the front end 302 along the lateral ends 306, 308, respectively, and can encircle some of the front vents 316. The rear butterfly 320 can be positioned at the rear end 304 and can encircle the rear vents 317.

In some embodiments, the helmet 300 can include strap hangers, similar to the strap hangers 142, 144 of FIGS. 1-9, coupled to one or more of the structural supports 310. For example, the helmet 300 can include front strap hangers, similar to the front strap hangers 142, coupled to the front butterfly 318 and/or the side supports 322, 324. Furthermore, the helmet 300 can include rear strap hangers, similar to the rear strap hangers 144, coupled to the rear butterfly 320. Thus, the structural supports 310 can both encircle one or more vents 316, 317 in order to provide structural support to the helmet 300 and receive the strap hangers (e.g., via a snap-on or press-fit engagement, as described above) in order to transfer retention load from straps throughout the helmet 300 rather than at localized attachment areas. The strap hangers can be coupled to the structural supports 310 and in-molded in the body 312 at the same time as the structural supports 310. As described above with respect to the cage 110, this can improve manufacturing ease for strap systems, as well as improve accessibility, and can also eliminate the need for additional non-structural components floating in the body for receiving straps, which can improve body volume and EPS foam flow during assembly of the body.

The present disclosure has described one or more embodiments, and it should be appreciated that many equivalents, alternatives, variations, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the invention. For example, in some embodiments, any of the above-described cages may be entirely encapsulated by a body. Additionally, it should be noted that features described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment. For example, in some embodiments, the helmet 100 or one or more elements of the helmet 100 can be similar to the helmet 300, or the helmet 300 or one or more elements of helmet 300 can be similar to the helmet 100. It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the accompanying description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Given the benefit of this disclosure, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

As used herein, unless otherwise limited or defined, discussion of particular directions is provided by example only, with regard to particular embodiments or relevant illustrations. For example, discussion of “top,” “front,” or “back” features is generally intended as a description only of the orientation of such features relative to a reference frame of a particular example or illustration. Correspondingly, for example, a “top” feature may sometimes be disposed below a “bottom” feature (and so on), in some arrangements or embodiments. Further, references to particular rotational or other movements (e.g., counterclockwise rotation) is generally intended as a description only of movement relative a reference frame of a particular example of illustration. Additionally, as used herein, unless otherwise defined or limited, directional terms are used for convenience of reference for discussion of particular figures or examples. For example, references to downward (or other) directions or top (or other) positions may be used to discuss aspects of a particular example or figure, but do not necessarily require similar orientation or geometry in all installations or configurations.

In some implementations, devices or systems disclosed herein can be utilized or installed using methods embodying aspects of the disclosure. Correspondingly, description herein of particular features, capabilities, or intended purposes of a device or system is generally intended to inherently include disclosure of a method of using such features for the intended purposes, a method of implementing such capabilities, and a method of installing disclosed (or otherwise known) components to support these purposes or capabilities. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated or limited, discussion herein of any method of manufacturing or using a particular device or system, including installing the device or system, is intended to inherently include disclosure, as embodiments of the disclosure, of the utilized features and implemented capabilities of such device or system.

As used herein, unless otherwise defined or limited, ordinal numbers are used herein for convenience of reference based generally on the order in which particular components are presented for the relevant part of the disclosure. In this regard, for example, designations such as “first,” “second,” etc., generally indicate only the order in which the relevant component is introduced for discussion and generally do not indicate or require a particular spatial arrangement, functional, or structural primacy or order.

As used herein, unless otherwise defined or limited, the term “about” or “approximately” or “substantially” refers to variation in the numerical quantity that may occur, for example, through typical measuring and manufacturing procedures used for helmets or other articles of manufacture that may include embodiments of the disclosure herein; through inadvertent error in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients used to make the compositions or mixtures or carry out the methods; and the like. Throughout the disclosure, the terms “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially” refer to a range of values ±20% of the numeric value that the term precedes.

This discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use embodiments of the disclosure. Given the benefit of this disclosure, various modifications to the illustrated examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles herein can be applied to other examples and applications without departing from the principles disclosed herein. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure are not intended to be limited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein and the claims below. The accompanying detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope of the disclosure.

Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A helmet comprising:

a body defining a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a first lateral end and a second lateral end opposite the first lateral end, the body further defining one or more vents extending therethrough;

a structure at least partially embedded in the body and encircling at least one vent of the one or more vents; and

a strap hanger coupled to the structure.

2. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the structure is a cage.

3. The helmet of claim 2, wherein the cage comprises:

multiple longitudinal beams that extend between the rear end and the front end; and

a transverse beam that extends between the first lateral end and the second lateral end, the transverse beam being coupled to one or more of the multiple longitudinal beams,

wherein the one or more vents are situated between different pairs of adjacent longitudinal beams of the multiple longitudinal beams.

4. The helmet of claim 3, wherein the body fully encapsulates the multiple longitudinal beams of the cage and partially encapsulates the transverse beam.

5. The helmet of claim 4, wherein the transverse beam extends through at least one of the one or more vents.

6. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the structure is a butterfly.

7. The helmet of claim 6, wherein the butterfly comprises a front butterfly located within the body proximate the front end and a rear butterfly located within the body proximate the rear end.

8. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the strap hanger comprises:

a clip;

a strap receiver configured to receive a strap therethrough; and

webbing that connects the clip to the strap receiver.

9. The helmet of claim 8, wherein the clip is configured to snap onto the structure via a press-fit engagement.

10. The helmet of claim 8, wherein the strap hanger is partially encapsulated by the body, and the strap receiver remains exposed outside of the body to receive the strap therethough after the strap hanger is partially encapsulated by the body.

11. The helmet of claim 8, wherein the clip, the strap, and the webbing are integrally formed.

12. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the strap hanger includes a first front strap hanger located near the front end along the first lateral end, a second front strap hanger located near the front end along the second lateral end, a first rear strap hanger located near the rear end along the first lateral end, and a second rear strap hanger located near the rear end along the second lateral end.

13. The helmet of claim 12, wherein the first front strap hanger and the first rear strap hanger are identical.

14. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the strap hanger is made of plastic.

15. A helmet comprising:

a body defining one or more vents extending therethrough;

a cage at least partially embedded in the body and encircling at least one vent of the one or more vents; and

a strap hanger coupled to the cage.

16. The helmet of claim 15, wherein the strap hanger comprises:

a clip;

a strap receiver configured to receive a strap therethrough; and

webbing that connects the clip to the strap receiver.

17. The helmet of claim 16, wherein the clip snaps onto the cage via a press-fit engagement.

18. The helmet of claim 16, wherein the clip includes two clips that each snap onto the cage.

19. The helmet of claim 16, wherein the webbing includes two wings that extend outward from the strap receiver.

20. The helmet of claim 15, wherein the cage defines a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a first lateral end and a second lateral end opposite the first lateral end, and comprises:

multiple longitudinal beams that extend between the rear end and the front end; and

a transverse beam that extends between the first lateral end and the second lateral end, the transverse beam being coupled to one or more of the multiple longitudinal beams,

wherein the one or more vents are situated between different pairs of adjacent longitudinal beams of the multiple longitudinal beams.