Patents Assigned to Bell Sports, Inc.
  • Enduro mountain biking chin bar
    Patent number: 10238165
    Abstract: A bicycle helmet system comprising a helmet and a chin bar is disclosed. The chin bar is removably coupled to the helmet and wrapped circumferentially around a portion of the helmet. The chin bar may include a rear buckle configured to tighten the chin bar around the helmet. The chin bar may also include two side buckles that engage with side recesses on the helmet when the chin bar is removably coupled to the helmet. The chin bar may also include two alignment protrusions positioned to engage with alignment recesses on the helmet when the chin bar is removably coupled to the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Erin Kyle Ellison, Eamon Briggs, Benjamin Warren Penner
  • Integrated fit and retention system
    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
  • Friction stop strap adjustor
    Patent number: 10188177
    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: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Ximena Prugue
  • Time trial bicycle helmet with ear shield
    Patent number: 10188167
    Abstract: A helmet can include a helmet body and a shield. The helmet body can include a front portion and a tail portion, and the shield can include two ear portions connected by a brow portion. The shield can be releasably coupled to the helmet body. The ears of a helmet user can be exposed with respect to the helmet body and covered with respect to the shield. The brow portion of the shield can extend across the front portion of the helmet. The tail portion of the helmet can be tapered and the front portion of the helmet can have a rounded leading edge, such that the helmet body has a tear drop form factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Kass, Robert Wesson
  • Helmet with airflow ventilation through an earpad
    Patent number: 10098407
    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: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Kele
  • Halter bib athletic garment
    Patent number: 10076141
    Abstract: A halter bib athletic garment is described herein. A halter bib athletic garment may be removed or lowered without removing a jersey by simply pulling a halter strap over the head of a wearer. One or more embodiments of a halter bib allow wearers to more readily urinate or have a bowel movement because the halter bib may be easily lowered or removed. A halter bib athletic garment may include a lower body section, a chamois coupled to the lower body section, and an upper body section. The upper body section comprises a halter strap forming a portion of a loop of a head opening on the upper body section. The halter strap includes two front side portions and a rear side portion positioned between the front side portions. The rear side portion is coupled to the athletic garment only with the front side portions of the halter strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Karany Nhim
  • No slip one-piece strap adjustor
    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
  • Multi-component helmet construction
    Patent number: 10039335
    Abstract: A motorsport helmet includes a shell having a lower edge, a liner extending along an interior of the shell, and a support portion coupled to the shell and extending between the shell and the liner adjacent the lower edge. In some configurations, when the helmet is positioned on a DOT Standard No. 218 test head form, a portion of the lower edge is above the test line and a portion of the lower edge is below the test line, and the support portion extends from the portion of the lower edge that is above the test line to a location below the test line. The helmet may also include a muzzle adapted to cover the mouth and chin area of a wearer, and a magnetic coupling assembly releasably coupling the muzzle to the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Cram
  • Multi-body helmet construction and strap attachment method
    Patent number: 10016007
    Abstract: A helmet can comprise an upper-body comprising an upper outer shell and an upper energy-absorbing material coupled the upper outer shell. The helmet can comprise a lower-body comprising a lower outer shell and a lower energy-absorbing material coupled the outer shell, wherein the lower-body is nested within the upper-body. A strap anchor can be formed without a web and embedded within the upper-body or the lower-body between the upper-body and the nested lower-body. A strap can be coupled to the strap anchor, wherein the strap extends between the upper-body and the lower-body and is threaded through the lower-body to couple the helmet to a head of a user. The strap anchor can comprise a size less than or equal to 10-30 millimeters (mm), by 10-50 mm, by 2-10 mm. The strap anchor can be sandwiched between the upper-body and the lower-body and hidden from view within the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg T. Jacobsen
  • Protective helmet with multi-density impact liners and method for same
    Patent number: 10010127
    Abstract: A helmet and method for forming a helmet having a multi-density impact liner may include forming a puck with an interface surface and at least one side. The interface surface of the puck is placed in direct contact with a receiving surface of a cap located in an impact liner mold. Next, the interface surface of the puck is thermally fused directly to the receiving surface of the cap while contemporaneously an impact liner body is formed inside the mold. The impact liner body is fused to the at least one side of the puck, and to a majority of the receiving surface of the cap. The density of the puck may be greater than the density of the impact liner body. The puck and the impact liner body may be EPS, and the cap may be PC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Benjamin W. Penner
  • Protective helmet with integrated rotational limiter
    Patent number: 10010126
    Abstract: A helmet is disclosed for protection during an impact. An outer liner and an inner liner slidably coupled to an interior surface of 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 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: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Mark A. Busse, Rafael T. Ramirez, Eamon Briggs
  • Locking linear for helmet
    Patent number: 9986779
    Abstract: A helmet can comprise an outer shell comprising an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the outer shell comprises an integrally formed locking mechanism. The helmet can also comprise a locking liner formed of a foam material and disposed within the outer shell adjacent the inner surface of the outer shell. The locking liner can further comprise at least one side piece sized to fit between a lower edge of the outer shell and top portion of the outer shell, a top piece disposed at the top portion of the outer shell and comprising a central opening, and a rotatable foam locking piece sized to fit within the central opening and comprising a tab that is sized to mateably couple with the integrally formed locking mechanism of the outer shell to releasably couple the locking liner to the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben D. Pritz, Eamon Briggs, Benjamin W. Penner, Brian W. Eisman
  • Helmet safety lighting system
    Patent number: 9968153
    Abstract: An illuminable helmet assembly is disclosed. The helmet assembly may include a helmet body having an outer shell, an energy management layer and a fit system. A light diffuser is coupled to an outer surface of the helmet body, the diffuser having an illumination surface with an outer perimeter and defining a footprint of the illumination surface extending inward from the illumination surface to a center of the helmet body. A light source is positioned adjacent to and in some cases outside of the outer perimeter and the footprint of the illumination surface. The light source is positioned to emit light toward the illumination surface at an acute angle to the illumination surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Thompson, Samuel Kass
  • Helmet with integrated electronics and helmet visor controls
    Patent number: 9955049
    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: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Ben D. Pritz
  • Accessory mount
    Patent number: 9920876
    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: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Ximena Prugue
  • Flex spring helmet
    Patent number: 9907347
    Abstract: A helmet can include a helmet body formed of a foam energy-absorbing material in which the helmet body includes inner and outer opposing surfaces. A plurality of lower slots can be formed completely through the helmet body and can be open at a lower edge of the helmet body. A plurality of upper slots can be formed completely through the helmet body and be open at a top portion of the helmet body to form a star shape. An S-shaped panel of the helmet body can include an undulating form from the alternating and overlapping positions of the plurality of lower slots and the plurality of upper slots. A reinforcing halo can be disposed within the helmet body to reinforce areas of weakness in the helmet body resulting from the plurality of lower slots and the plurality of upper slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Allen
  • Mechanically joined helmet bodies and method for same
    Patent number: 9883709
    Abstract: A helmet can include an upper body comprising an interior surface comprising a locking flange, and a lower body positioned at least partially inside the upper body. The lower body can comprise an edge in contact with the locking flange of the upper body. At least one joining pin can be located within, and bridge, the lower body and the upper body. An at least one basket pair can comprise an upper basket comprising a pin receiver, the upper basket being at least partially embedded within the upper body. A lower basket can comprise a pin aperture, the lower basket being at least partially embedded within the lower body and positioned such that the pin aperture is aligned with the pin receiver of the basket pair. The at least one joining pin can be positioned inside both the pin aperture and the pin receiver of the basket pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin W. Penner, Ben D. Pritz, Gregg T. Jacobsen
  • Sweat management pad for protective helmets
    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
  • Bicycle helmet
    Patent number: D830639
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander J. Szela
  • Bicycle helmet
    Patent number: D831277
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander J. Szela