Abstract: A helmet designed for use in winter sports, particularly the sport of snowboarding, having a flexible ear protection member including a hearing enhancement feature disposed therein is disclosed. The hearing enhancement feature may preferably be formed as an aperture disposed through at least a portion of the ear protection member, and preferably includes a deflection element to deflect objects away from the aperture, thereby preventing objects from passing through the aperture and penetrating the ear protection member in order to protect portions of the user's ear underlying the aperture from injury. The ear protection member may be configured as a ear flap including an abrasion-resistant outer layer to provide protection against branches and the like. In one embodiment, the ear flap may be formed as part of a comfort ring supported by the helmet.

Abstract: A helmet including a strap securing device having a gripping section and/or a clip for engaging and holding a strap, for example a goggle strap, in place over the surface of the helmet is disclosed. The gripping section and clip may be utilized individually, or in combination, to engage and hold the strap. The gripping section preferably includes an outer surface which engages and secures the strap in place when utilized alone. The outer surface may be a textured surface and may include a plurality of raised nodules to enhance gripping. When utilized in combination with a clip, the strap may be sandwiched between the gripping section and the clip. The clip may, alternatively, be utilized alone to hold the strap in place. When utilized alone, the clip may be removably attached to the helmet to secure the strap between the clip and the outer shell of the helmet.

Abstract: A helmet including a selected combination or all of an outer shell, a liner and a comfort ring, the helmet being designed for use in winter sports and including climate control features to regulate the temperature, air flow and moisture within the helmet is disclosed. The helmet may include front and rear adjustable vents for selective circulation of air through the helmet to vary the temperature inside the helmet for comfort, as desired, by the user. The helmet may additionally include a comfort ring for providing abrasion resistance over exposed areas of the user, for example the ears. The comfort ring may additionally, actively contribute to controlling the interior climate of the helmet by aiding in removing and preventing moisture from contacting the skin of the user.

Abstract: A plug-in fuse device can be handled without special tools and permits convenient replacement of a burnt-out fuse element. The device has a rigid housing with a pair of plug portions. Each plug portion is shaped to plug into a socket and carries a fuse assembly which includes a pair of terminals for engagement with socket elements, a fuse element between the terminals, and a pair of conductive contacts. The terminals extend from one end surface of the plug portion, and the contacts are located at an axially opposite end surface. The plug portions are connected at their contact-bearing surfaces, and the terminals of one plug portion extend in one axial direction and the terminals of the other plug portion, in the opposite axial direction. The plug portions are also offset to different sides of the general plane of the housing. Thus, when either plug portion is plugged into the socket, its contact-bearing surface is available for continuity testing.

Abstract: A strap and buckle assembly wherein a plurality of ratchet teeth are formed on the strap and the buckle has a ratchet type of catch for releasably retaining the strap. The housing of the buckle has a slipway which receives the strap. A catch lever is pivotally mounted on the housing for movement between a locking position and a release position. The catch lever having first and second portions of its length extending from opposite sides of its pivotal axis. A shoulder is formed on the first portion of the catch lever and is arranged to be oppositely disposed with respect to the locking faces of the ratchet teeth when the catch lever is in the locking position. Resiliently deformable catch biasing arms are formed integrally with and extending from the second portion of the catch lever into contact with the housing.