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.

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.

Abstract: A safety headlight with a battery power monitor is provided. The headlight includes one primary light bulb and at least one LED bulb. When the battery power begins to fade so that the primary bulb is in danger of going out, a sensor in the headlight switches power to the LED bulb(s) to provide safety lighting so that the headlight user can be seen by others. The safety headlight is typically used by cyclists riding before sunrise or after sunset. The headlight permits the cyclists to see the road surface and provides notice to other motorists of the cycle's presence.

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.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for head protection is provided. The system includes a helmet body defining at least one hole. The system also includes at least one reinforcement member coupled to the helmet body. The reinforcement member defines an aperture that at least partially aligns with the hole of the helmet body.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, a system for securing a helmet to the head of a user is provided. The system includes a helmet body, and a roll cage disposed substantially within the helmet body. The system also includes at least a portion of a helmet retention system coupled to the roll cage so that a force applied to the strap is transferred to the roll cage before being transferred to the helmet body.

Abstract: A helmet for protecting the head of a wearer during sporting activities, comprising a protective shell, vents formed in the protective shell, and a shutter plate positioned within the protective shell. The shutter plate has apertures conforming in dimension and position to the vent openings so that that the apertures are in substantial alignment with the vents when the shutter plate is in a first position. The shutter plate is selectively moveable so that the vents are opened or closed.

Abstract: The mounting bracket of the present invention includes an integrally molded head portion and article attachment portion that are formed of a flexible plastic material. The head portion is shaped for insertion into a cavity that is molded into an EPS article of manufacture such as a bicycle helmet. The flexible plastic head portion expands upon insertion into the cavity, such that it engages sidewall portions of the cavity and resists pulling forces that tend to remove it from the cavity. In the preferred embodiment, the head portion is generally shaped like a ladder, having two side rails and a plurality of rung members disposed therebetween. The cavity formed within the EPS foam is shaped to receive the head portion in a collapsed configuration. After the collapsed head portion is inserted within the cavity, it expands such that the outer surfaces of the side rails are pressed against sidewall surfaces of the cavity.

Abstract: A bicycle helmet is disclosed having a flexible, articulated member being resiliently flexible to provide resilient forward pressure against an inwardly curved portion on the posterior of a wearer's head and a flexible connection between the articulated member and opposite sides of the shell assembly including at least one elastically elongatable strap portion for providing additional resilient forward pressure against the wearer's head.

Abstract: A novel child's bicycle seat/rack assembly is provided. The seat is capable of slidable attachment to a touring rack of the type including a substantially rectangular frame formed from struts. The seat has integrally-formed channels for slidably engaging the struts and forward and rear integrally-formed, latches adapted to releasably engage the struts so as to lock the seat member against rearward movement relative to the rack. A locking wedge is provided to secure a latch against unintentional flexing and disengagement from the strut. A child's seat may have a seat portion and a back portion pivotably attached to one another. The seat also may have a grab bar and a seat stand.

Abstract: The valve head of the present invention is designed for engaging both a Schrader and a Presta valve. It includes a housing having generally cylindrical sidewalls and a base wall. A collet is disposed within the housing. The collet has generally cylindrical sidewalls and a plurality of upwardly extending collet fingers. A generally cylindrical gasket member is disposed within the collet. The gasket is composed of a resilient material and has a valve insertion bore formed centrally therethrough. A camming lever is operably engaged to the collet and functions to pull the collet downwardly into the housing. The downward movement of the collet causes the collet fingers to move inwardly, thereby creating an inwardly directed force upon the resilient gasket such that the diameter of the gasket bore is reduced. When a Schrader valve is disposed within the gasket bore, a valve pin depression tip acts to depress the Schrader valve pin, thus permitting pumped air to flow through the Schrader valve.

Abstract: A protective helmet having an impact-resistant outer shell with an impact liner disposed within. The impact liner encloses a substantial portion of a wearer's head. A fan assembly having at least one fan and preferably a fan cowling is disposed between the impact liner and the outer shell. In operation, the fan assembly is connected through a connecting assembly to a source of power. The connecting assembly may optionally include power conditioners. When connected, the fan assembly extracts air or other respiration gases from around a wearer's head, through channels in the impact liner, and exhausts it out of the helmet through vents. The vents and the outer shell feature covering the fan assembly are designed for shell integrity and resistance to impacts and entry by flames or foreign objects. A gas inlet connector may optionally be provided for connecting an external source of respiration gases to the helmet, as may ducting to guide such gas to a wearer's face for respiration.

Abstract: The valve head of the present invention is designed for engaging both a Schrader and a Presta valve. It includes a housing having generally cylindrical sidewalls and a base wall. A collet is disposed within the housing. The collet has generally cylindrical sidewalls and a plurality of upwardly extending collet fingers. A generally cylindrical gasket members is disposed within the collet. The gasket is composed of a resilient material and has a valve insertion bore formed centrally therethrough. A camming lever is operably engaged to the collet and functions to pull the collet downwardly into the housing. The downward movement of the collet causes the collet fingers to move inwardly, thereby creating an inwardly directed force upon the resilient gasket such that the diameter of the gasket bore is reduced.

Abstract: A magnetic resistive device that is suitable for use with a bicycle trainer including a rotatable shaft having a magnetic resistive force member engaged to an end thereof. In the preferred embodiment the magnetic resistive force member includes a cylindrical outer surface. A plurality of magnets are disposed on one side of said magnetic resistive force member, preferably in alternating polarity. Magnetic fields generated between adjacent magnets create eddy currents within the magnetic resistive force member to create a resistive force against the rotation of the magnetic resistive force member. In the preferred embodiment, the magnets are disposed outside of the cylindrical magnetic resistive force member, and the magnets are movable away from the magnetic resistive force member to reduce the force induced therewithin.

Abstract: A helmet and method of making the same for allowing repeatably removable and adjustable attachment of helmet accessories, that includes an inner liner member for substantially covering a wearer's head, and an outer shell member that includes an upper shell surface, a lower shell surface which substantially covers an upper liner surface of the inner liner member, and at least one mounting hole formed therethrough. A grommet with a access hole formed therethrough is attached to the outer shell so that the access hole is aligned with the mounting hole. A helmet accessory has at least one mounting member insertable through the access hole. An engagement member is rotatably attached to the grommet with a predetermined amount of friction therebetween, and has means for removably engaging the helmet accessory mounting member inserted through the access hole for removably mounting the helmet accessory to the helmet.

Abstract: A helmet and method of making the same for allowing repeatably removable attachment of helmet accessories, that includes an inner liner member for substantially covering a wearer's head, and an outer shell member that includes an upper shell surface, a lower shell surface which substantially covers an upper liner surface of the inner liner member, and at least one mounting hole formed therethrough. A grommet is disposed along the upper shell surface and aligned over the mounting hole. A receptacle housing is disposed along the lower shell surface and has a receptacle aligned to and facing the mounting hole. Engagement prongs secure the grommet to the receptacle housing with the shell member therebetween. The helmet accessory has at least one mounting member, such as a protrusion or screw. The receptacle includes a device for removably engaging the mounting member when the mounting member is inserted through the mounting hole in order to removably mount the helmet accessory to the helmet.

Abstract: The dual stage, dual mode air pump is selectively operable in a low pressure, high volume mode or a high pressure, low volume mode. It includes a pump head, an outer tube that is engaged to the pump head, an inner tube that is engaged to the pump head and a middle tube that is slidably engaged to both the outer tube and the inner tube. A mode pump switch is utilized to allow the pump operator to change the mode of the pump. In the preferred embodiment, the mode switch is disposed within the pump head. It includes an air passageway having a manually switchable valve disposed therein. In the high volume, low pressure mode the valve switch is closed, whereupon pumped air passes into a pneumatic article engaged to the end of the pump. When the valve switch is opened, the pump is operable in the low volume high pressure mode, and a portion of the pumped air is outletted into the ambient environment, rather than being pumped into the pneumatic article.

Abstract: A bicycle helmet is disclosed having a flexible, articulated member depending from the rear of the helmet, providing a closer fit to an individual wearer's head and improving stability of the helmet on the head, particularly for mountain bike riding. The articulated member contacts the wearer's head beneath the occipital region and applies a forward and upward pressure against the head. The general embodiment of the invention includes an elastic strap stretching from one side of the helmet, across the back of the articulated member, to the opposite side of the helmet. Adjusting this strap allows the wearer to adjust the forward and upward pressure exerted by the articulated member on the wearer's head.

Abstract: A visual display and helmet assembly is configured to function in the presence of a harsh environment, e.g., high wind, vibration and shock and strong ambient light. The visual display preferably includes a transmissive liquid-crystal display to reduce the display's size and to enhance the intensity of a virtual image. In addition, the display is preferably reconfigurable so that different display indicia can be programmed as desired. To reduce probability of injury to a user, the visual display is carried on the exterior of the helmet with its center of mass positioned substantially on the midsagittal plane of the user. In addition, a mount permits the visual display to detach from the helmet when it is subjected to forces above a predetermined threshold. The mount is also permits yielding movement between the visual display and the helmet to enhance viewing of the image.