Patents by Inventor Samuel J. Shaffer
Samuel J. Shaffer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230255296Abstract: A helmet for protection during an impact, wherein 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: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Mark A. Busse, Rafael T. Ramirez, Eamon Briggs
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Publication number: 20230225446Abstract: A fit system for a helmet can include an adjuster including a width adjustment track, and first and second pods moveably coupled to the width adjustment track with a first and second support arm, the second pod comprising a lateral offset from the first pod. The fit system can further include a dial moveably coupled to the adjustor, such that movement of the dial changes a size of the lateral offset between the first pod and the second pod. The fit system can further include a hanger flexibly coupled to both the first pod and the second pod and adapted to allow for adjustment of the lateral offset between the first pod and the second pod. The hanger can further be adapted to allow for movement of the first pod and the second pod in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lateral offset without movement of the dial.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2023Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: Ben D. Pritz, Samuel J. Shaffer
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Patent number: 11672295Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Mark A. Busse, Rafael T. Ramirez
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Patent number: 11647804Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 6, 2020Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Mark A. Busse, Rafael T. Ramirez, Eamon Briggs
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Patent number: 11607000Abstract: A fit system for a helmet can include an adjuster including a width adjustment track, and first and second pods moveably coupled to the width adjustment track with a first and second support arm, the second pod comprising a lateral offset from the first pod. The fit system can further include a dial moveably coupled to the adjustor, such that movement of the dial changes a size of the lateral offset between the first pod and the second pod. The fit system can further include a hanger flexibly coupled to both the first pod and the second pod and adapted to allow for adjustment of the lateral offset between the first pod and the second pod. The hanger can further be adapted to allow for movement of the first pod and the second pod in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lateral offset without movement of the dial.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.Inventors: Ben D. Pritz, Samuel J. Shaffer
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Patent number: 11419380Abstract: A helmet may include an outer liner and an inner liner disposed inward from the outer liner, the inner liner comprising an inner surface with at least one hole. A fit belt may comprise at least one pin coupled to an inner surface of the inner liner with the at least one hole mateably coupled with the at least one pin. An elastomeric strap may comprise an inner end and an outer end opposite the inner end. The outer end of the elastomeric strap may be coupled to an inner surface of the outer liner. The outer end of the elastomeric strap may comprise a recess and a fastener that extends through the recess of the outer end of the elastomeric strap to couple the elastomeric strap to the outer liner. The inner end of the elastomeric strap may be coupled to the fit belt.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2019Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Rafael T. Ramirez
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Patent number: 11266196Abstract: A helmet and method for forming a helmet having a multi-density impact liner may include forming a puck comprising an interface surface and at least one side is formed. 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 expanded polystyrene (EPS), and the cap may be polycarbonate (PC).Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2018Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Benjamin W. Penner
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Publication number: 20210030100Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Mark A. Busse, Rafael T. Ramirez, Eamon Briggs
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Publication number: 20210007431Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Mark A. Busse, Rafael T. Ramirez
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Patent number: 10834988Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 25, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: BELL SPORTS, INC.Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Mark A. Busse, Rafael T. Ramirez, Eamon Briggs
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Patent number: 10786027Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2017Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: BELL SPORTS, INC.Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Mark A. Busse, Rafael T. Ramirez
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Publication number: 20200275723Abstract: A fit system for a helmet can include an adjuster including a width adjustment track, and first and second pods moveably coupled to the width adjustment track with a first and second support arm, the second pod comprising a lateral offset from the first pod. The fit system can further include a dial moveably coupled to the adjustor, such that movement of the dial changes a size of the lateral offset between the first pod and the second pod. The fit system can further include a hanger flexibly coupled to both the first pod and the second pod and adapted to allow for adjustment of the lateral offset between the first pod and the second pod. The hanger can further be adapted to allow for movement of the first pod and the second pod in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lateral offset without movement of the dial.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Ben D. Pritz, Samuel J. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20200046057Abstract: A helmet may include an outer liner and an inner liner disposed inward from the outer liner, the inner liner comprising an inner surface with at least one hole. A fit belt may comprise at least one pin coupled to an inner surface of the inner liner with the at least one hole mateably coupled with the at least one pin. An elastomeric strap may comprise an inner end and an outer end opposite the inner end. The outer end of the elastomeric strap may be coupled to an inner surface of the outer liner. The outer end of the elastomeric strap may comprise a recess and a fastener that extends through the recess of the outer end of the elastomeric strap to couple the elastomeric strap to the outer liner. The inner end of the elastomeric strap may be coupled to the fit belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Rafael T. Ramirez
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Patent number: 10548363Abstract: A fit system for a helmet can include an adjuster including a width adjustment track, and first and second pods moveably coupled to the width adjustment track with a first and second support arm, the second pod comprising a lateral offset from the first pod. The fit system can further include a dial moveably coupled to the adjustor, such that movement of the dial changes a size of the lateral offset between the first pod and the second pod. The fit system can further include a hanger flexibly coupled to both the first pod and the second pod and adapted to allow for adjustment of the lateral offset between the first pod and the second pod. The hanger can further be adapted to allow for movement of the first pod and the second pod in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lateral offset without movement of the dial.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2015Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: BELL SPORTS, INC.Inventors: Ben D. Pritz, Samuel J. Shaffer
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Patent number: 10398187Abstract: A helmet body with an outer shell and at least two energy management liners may include an elastomeric shaft, a fixed retainer, and an adjustable retainer. The elastomeric shaft has a head, a tail, and a plurality of frustoconical ridges disposed along the elastomeric shaft between the head and the tail, the elastomeric shaft being narrower at the tail than at the head. The fixed retainer has first opening large enough to receive both the head, but a second opening is smaller than a size of the head. The adjustable retainer may have an aperture sized to receive the tail and part of the elastomeric shaft. The inner liner and the outer liner are coupled together with the fixed retainer on one side, the elastomeric shaft extending through the fixed retainer, the inner liner, and the outer liner and the adjustable retainer around the elastomeric shaft on the other side.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2017Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Bell Sports, IncInventor: Samuel J. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20190090574Abstract: A helmet includes a helmet body with an outer shell and an in-molded energy management liner inside the outer shell. The in-molded energy management liner may include an inner liner of a first material and an outer liner of a second material different from the first material, with at least one hole through the inner liner, an inside surface, an outside surface, and sides connecting the inside surface with the outside surface. The outer liner formed around the inner liner such that the outer liner extends through the at least one hole and around at least two of the sides of the inner liner, covering a majority of the outside surface and at least a portion of the inside surface, and both the inner liner and the outer liner are exposed on an inside of the in-molded energy management liner.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2017Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventor: Samuel J. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20190000174Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Mark A. Busse, Rafael T. Ramirez, Eamon Briggs
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Publication number: 20190000175Abstract: A helmet and method for forming a helmet having a multi-density impact liner may include forming a puck comprising an interface surface and at least one side is formed. 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: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Benjamin W. Penner
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Patent number: 10010127Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Benjamin W. Penner
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Patent number: 10010126Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Mark A. Busse, Rafael T. Ramirez, Eamon Briggs