Patents Assigned to Bell Sports, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10948898
    Abstract: A custom-fitted helmet and a method of making the same can comprise, at a first location, obtaining head data for a customer's head comprising a length, a width, and at least one head contour. With at least one processor, generating a computerized three-dimensional (3D) headform matching the customer's head length, width, and head contour from the head data. The 3D headform can be compared to a helmet safety standard. At a second location different from the first location, a custom-fitted helmet based on the 3D headform can be formed, wherein the custom-fitted helmet satisfies the safety standard and comprises an inner surface comprising a topography that conforms to the length, width, and at least one contour of the customer's head. The first location can be a home or a store. Obtaining the head data from photographic images of a deformable interface member disposed on the customer's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Pietrzak, Michael W. Lowe
  • Patent number: 10939721
    Abstract: A helmet body includes an outer shell and an energy management liner with an outer shell lower edge extending between the inner surface and the outer surface of the outer shell. At least two shoulder pad recesses are positioned at a lower edge of the outer shell on a respective left and right sides of the helmet. The energy management liner is adjacent to the inner surface of the outer shell and includes at least two shoulder pads formed of a foamed energy management material. Each of the at least two shoulder pads is received into one of the at least two shoulder pad recesses on the respective left or right side of the helmet, each shoulder pad extending from inside of the outer shell to across at least a majority of a width of the lower edge of the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott S. Whitesell, Scott R. Allen, Christopher T. Pietrzak, Allen Bischofberger, Julio Valencia
  • Patent number: 10918167
    Abstract: A strap adjustor can include a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a third surface that extends between the first surface and the second surface. A first through opening can extend completely through the strap adjustor between the first surface and the second surface. A second through opening can extend completely through the strap adjustor between the first surface and the second surface. A can bar separate the first through opening and the second through opening. A first end opening can extend from the third surface to the first through opening, and a second end opening cab extend from the third surface to the first through opening. A first strap can be disposed through the first end opening. A second strap can be disposed through the second end opening. The first and second straps can be disposed through the first through opening and over the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: BELL SPORTS, INC.
    Inventor: Ximena Prugue
  • Patent number: 10918153
    Abstract: A helmet can include a protective shell and a layer of energy management material coupled to an inner surface of the protective shell to form a cavity for receiving a head of a user. An earpad can be coupled to the inner surface of the protective shell that comprises an inner surface that further defines a space for an ear of a user. The earpad can further include a leading edge at a front of the helmet, the leading edge extending between the outer surface of the protective shell and the inner surface of the earpad. An air intake opening can be formed at the leading edge of the earpad. An air exhaust opening can be formed at a trailing edge of the earpad. An airflow channel can extend through the earpad between the air intake opening and the air exhaust opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: BELL SPORTS, INC.
    Inventor: Paul Kele
  • Patent number: 10913140
    Abstract: A bicycling multi-tool with a quicklink removal tool is disclosed. The quicklink tool includes a body having a first prong integral with the body and protruding in a first direction, and a first aperture proximate the first prong. The quicklink removal tool also includes a floating prong base having a second prong integral with the floating prong base and protruding in the first direction. The floating prong base includes a second aperture and a sliding face, and is slideably coupled to the body through a bolt passing through both the first aperture and the second aperture. The bolt is threadedly coupled to at least one of the first aperture and the second aperture. The face of the floating prong base is positioned proximate to and facing a sliding surface of the body. Turning the bolt drives the floating prong towards and away from the first prong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Park, Mark J. Matson, Chi Cheung Foo
  • Patent number: 10881161
    Abstract: A helmet may include an upper-body comprising a first outer shell coupled to a first energy-absorbing shell formed of expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polyurethane (EPU), or expanded polyolefin (EPO). A lower-body may include a second outer shell coupled to a second energy-absorbing shell formed of EPP, EPS, EPU, or EPO, wherein an upper portion of the lower-body is nested within the upper-body and a lower portion of the lower-body extends to an outer surface of a lower portion of the upper-body. A strap anchor may be disposed between the upper-body and the lower-body, and be sandwiched between the upper-body and the lower-body with the strap anchor being adjacent to, and oriented towards, the lower-body. A strap may be coupled to the fastening device and coupled to the strap anchor for coupling the helmet to a head of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: BELL SPORTS, INC.
    Inventor: Gregg T. Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 10834988
    Abstract: A helmet is disclosed for protection during an impact. An inner liner may slidably couple to the outer liner through at least one return spring. The outer liner includes an interior surface with a shelf extending inward. The shelf includes an arresting surface. The inner liner has an exterior surface, an interior surface and an edge connecting the exterior surface to the interior surface. The edge faces the arresting surface of the shelf. The inner liner is slidably movable relative to the outer liner between a first position in which the edge of the inner liner is separated from the arresting surface of the shelf by a first gap, and an arrested position in which a portion of the edge of the inner liner is in contact with a portion of the arresting surface of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: BELL SPORTS, INC.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Mark A. Busse, Rafael T. Ramirez, Eamon Briggs
  • Patent number: 10806204
    Abstract: A helmet can include a helmet body comprising an energy-absorbing layer and an outer shell disposed over the energy-absorbing layer. An electronic device can be integrated with the helmet body. A first electrical contact can be formed at an exterior of the outer shell and adapted to be in electrical communication with the electronic device. A helmet visor can be coupled to the helmet body with at least one visor arm, the helmet visor comprising controls integrated within the visor. A second electrical contact can be formed at an inner surface of the at least one visor arm and adapted to be in electrical communication with the controls integrated within the visor. The second electrical contact can be adapted to mateably couple with the first electrical contact such that the electronic device and the controls are adapted to be in electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: BELL SPORTS, INC.
    Inventor: Ben D. Pritz
  • Patent number: 10786027
    Abstract: A helmet may include a helmet body, a fit system, a bezel, and a hardware retainer. The helmet body may have an outer shell and an energy management layer. The bezel may be separate from the outer shell and coupled to the helmet body at the vent opening of the helmet, encircle the vent opening, and have a hardware opening extending through the bezel and an anchor opening in the bezel adjacent the hardware opening. The hardware retainer may be positioned behind and coupled to the bezel. The hardware retainer may include a hardware receiving aperture aligned with the hardware opening and a hardware retainer cover coupled to a rear side of the hardware retainer. The hardware retainer may further include an anchor recess aligned with the anchor opening. The bezel may be in-molded into the energy management layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: BELL SPORTS, INC.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Mark A. Busse, Rafael T. Ramirez
  • Patent number: 10757995
    Abstract: A helmet can comprise an upper-body and a lower-body nested within the upper-body. An opening can be formed within a front portion of the helmet and disposed between an outer surface of the upper-body and an inner surface of the lower-body. A first magnet can be encased within the upper-body or the lower-body and adjacent the opening. A shield can comprise a shield mount and a second magnet coupled to the shield mount that is sized to fit within the opening and to be releasably coupled to the first magnet. The first magnet and the second magnet can be self-aligned in direct alignment with eyes of a user. A third magnet can be disposed above the first magnet and aligned with the second magnet on an outer surface of the helmet out of sight from eyes of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: BELL SPORTS, INC.
    Inventor: Gregg T. Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 10743603
    Abstract: A visor removably attached to a helmet includes a brim, a first wing extending from the brim, a first prong from the first wing engaging with the first side vent. A second wing opposite the first wing extends from the brim, a second prong from the second wing engaging with the second side vent. A distance between the first prong and the second prong is smaller than a distance between the first front wall of the first side vent and the second front wall of the second side vent, the first prong and the second prong respectively engaged with the first side vent and the second side vent through tension in the visor resulting from expansion of a wingspan between the first wing and the second wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel W. McDavitt
  • Publication number: 20200253313
    Abstract: A helmet body includes an outer shell having an inner surface, an outer surface, and an outer shell lower edge extending between the inner surface and the outer surface, the outer shell further comprising at least two shoulder pad recesses positioned at a lower edge of the outer shell on a respective left and right sides of the helmet; and an energy management liner adjacent to the inner surface of the outer shell and comprising at least two shoulder pads formed of a foamed energy management material, each of the at least two shoulder pads received into one of the at least two shoulder pad recesses on the respective left or right side of the helmet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: BELL SPORTS, INC.
    Inventors: Scott S. Whitesell, Scott R. Allen, Christopher T. Pietrzak, Allen Bischofberger, Julio Valencia
  • Patent number: 10721987
    Abstract: A protective helmet having a protective shell, a low friction layer, and a comfort liner is disclosed. The protective shell includes an energy absorbing material and an inner surface. The low friction layer is coupled to the inner surface of the protective shell. The low friction layer may be plastic having a thickness of less than approximately 3 mm. The comfort liner is removably coupled to the low friction layer opposite the protective shell, and includes a low friction material, such as brushed nylon, adjacent the low friction liner. The comfort liner may be removeably coupled protective shell with either clips that removably couple to receivers embedded in the brow of the helmet, with elastically deformable couplings that extend from the comfort liner to the protective shell, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Lowe
  • Patent number: 10697584
    Abstract: An accessory mount is disclosed and may include a base, a foot, an accessory receiver, and at least two elastic bindings. The accessory receiver may rotatably couple an accessory to the base, and may include an accessory adapter and a base connector. The base may include a plurality of attachment points distributed at different locations around the base. The foot may include a non-slip surface on a first side, and a plurality of projections on a second side that mate with a corresponding plurality of recesses in a bottom surface of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Ximena Prugue
  • Patent number: 10670882
    Abstract: A pair of goggles with a lens assembly, a goggle frame, and at least one lens retention shelf is disclosed. The lens assembly includes a lens with a projection extending from the assembly. The goggle frame is made of a first material and has a frame aperture sized large enough to receive the projection from the lens assembly through it. The lens retention shelf is made of a second material harder than the first material and is disposed behind the frame. The first lens retention shelf includes a projection connector corresponding to the projection, the projection connector is aligned with the frame aperture and sized sized to receive and engage the projection with the goggle frame interposed between the lens retention shelf and the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Ximena Prugue, Michael J. Musal
  • 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: 10632015
    Abstract: Goggles include a goggle frame, a goggle strap, and a goggle strap connector. The goggle strap has a direction of strap tension when the goggles are worn by a user. The goggle strap connector includes a female bracket and a male bracket. The female bracket is directly coupled to the goggle frame or the goggle strap, including first and second bracket walls, a channel defined between the bracket walls, projections, and recesses. The male bracket is configured to mateably couple to the female bracket, including a sliding bar and an enlarged bar end. First movement of the goggle strap in the strap tension direction may move at least one of the bar bumps of the enlarged bar end past at least one of the projections to position the at least one of the bar bumps within at least one of the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Ximena Prugue, David M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10611103
    Abstract: A tire repair tool assembly includes a tool body, at least one tire plug, a plug storage cap, and a hollow tube. The tool body may have a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the tool body having a storage compartment within the tool body, the storage compartment having an opening at the first end. The plug storage cap may be operably coupled to the first end of the tool body. The hollow tube may be sized to receive a first end of the at least one tire plug within the hollow tube, the hollow tube extending from the second end of the tool body and having a tip distal from the second end of the tool body. The tire repair assembly may further include a tool body case having a closed end and an open compartment within the tool body case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Park, Mark J. Matson
  • Patent number: D897046
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Kele
  • Patent number: D902493
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: BELL SPORTS, INC.
    Inventor: Paul A. Kele