Helmet holder

Abstract

An improved helmet holder having improved straps, including an engineered seat strap made of hook and loop on the face side and heavy-duty webbing on the back side with the hook and loop joint made in such a manner that it is without comers, having an edgeless hook and loop connection for a smooth seamless strap allowing all hardware to slide easily under tensioning of the strap. The back side of the seat strap has a silicone anti slip/non-slip coating to allow adhesion. The helmet holder further has an engineered helmet holding strap made of hook and loop on the face side and heavy webbing on the back side with the hook and loop joint made in such a manner that it is without comers, having an edgeless hook and loop connection for a smooth seamless strap allowing all hardware to slide easily under tensioning of the strap. to a vinyl or leather motorcycle seat and prevent slipping or loosening of the seat strap. The face side of both straps is made flush by an ultrasonic seal. The seat strap and helmet-holding strap may be included in a kit along with an alternative seat strap for use with clips on seats where appropriate.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE PATENT APPLICATION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a motorcycle accessory specifically a motorcycle helmet holder that will hold a helmet to a motorcycle passenger seat.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are a number of prior devices designed to hold helmets on motorcycles. These prior devices are often complicated or difficult to use, do not provide secure attachment of the helmet to the motorcycle, do not allow for attachment of various types of helmets, and/or are expensive to manufacture.

The helmet restraining device of Jackson (U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,877) employs a seat strap pulled taut over the seat and a restraining cup stretched over the helmet. Similarly, the published abandoned patent application of Russell (Publication No. US2004/0118888) provides a holder for a helmet including a seat strap that is attachable to a motorcycle passenger seat; and a top piece having a central mesh portion for placement over a motorcycle helmet. Two seat clips may be used to attach the seat strap to a motorcycle seat, and two tri-slides enable attachment to the seat strap of the top piece when placed over the helmet, by means of helmet holding straps attached to the sides of the central portion. Hook and loop fasteners are used to hold straps together.

Because of the movement of the motorcycle, prior helmet holders are often worked loose due to slippage of the straps that hold them on to the motorcycle. In addition, the straps of prior helmet holders are often difficult to tighten because of the comers and edges of the straps catch on the buckles or tri-slides as the straps are tightened, increasing the wear on the straps and increasing the likelihood that the straps will pull apart or rip.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide improved helmet holder having an non-slip seat strap.

It is a further object of the invention herein to provide highly improved heavy-duty helmet holding straps that are without exposed comers, having an edgeless hook and loop connection for a smooth seamless strap allowing all hardware to slide easily under tension.

Other objects and advantages will be more fully apparent from the following disclosure and appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein is an improved helmet holder having improved straps. In particular, the helmet holder of the invention has an engineered seat strap made of hook and loop on the face side and heavy-duty webbing on the back side, with the hook and loop joint made in such a manner that it is without comers, having an edgeless hook and loop connection for a smooth seamless strap allowing all hardware to slide easily under tensioning of the strap. The face sides of the hook and loop are made flush by an ultrasonic seal. The backside of the strap has heavy-duty webbing running the entire length of the strap. This design eliminates four possible comers and two hook and loop edges that could prevent the strap from being tightened under tension or could possibly allow the sewn strap stitching to tear under extreme tension. The back side of the strap has a silicone anti slip/non-slip coating to allow adhesion to a vinyl or leather motorcycle seat and prevent slipping or loosening of the seat strap.

The improved helmet holder of the invention further has an engineered helmet holding strap made of hook and loop on the face side and heavy webbing on the back side with the hook and loop joint made in such a manner that it is without comers, having an edgeless hook and loop connection for a smooth seamless strap allowing all hardware to slide easily under tensioning of the strap. The face side of the hook and loop are made flush by an ultrasonic seal. The backside of the strap has heavy-duty webbing running the entire length of the strap. This design eliminates 4 possible corners and two hook and loop edges that could prevent the strap from being tightened under tension or could possibly allow the sewn strap stitching to tear under extreme tension.

Other objects and features of the inventions will be more fully apparent from the following disclosure and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a prior helmet holder of the invention holding a helmet on a motorcycle seat (remainder of motorcycle not shown) using tri-slides without seat clips.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a motorcycle seat and the long seat strap with a buckle.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the top piece with which the helmet-holding strap of the invention is preferably used.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the face side of the long seat strap of the invention with a buckle.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the back side of the long seat strap of the invention with a buckle.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the smooth junction area of the seat strap of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the face side of the helmet-holding strap of the invention before attachment to a helmet holder top piece.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the back side of the helmet-holding strap of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a motorcycle seat having a lower thin side edge and the short seat strap, clips and tri-slides of an alternative embodiment of the seat strap of invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS THEREOF

The present invention is an improvement of the hook and loop straps used in the helmet holder, and in particular, is an improvement in the motorcycle helmet holders of Jackson and previous work of the inventor herein.

Referring now to the figures, the prior helmet holder as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a flat seat strap 12 for fastening to, and extending around a motorcycle passenger seat 14 as is known in the art; and a top piece 16 for placement over a motorcycle helmet 18. The top piece 16 is attachable to the seat strap 12 to hold the motorcycle helmet 18 firmly on the motorcycle seat 14 (FIG. 1). Each of the two tapered ends of the top piece 16 is attached to a helmet holding strap 20, preferably attached to the top piece 16 by sewing. In both the prior helmet holder and the improved helmet holder herein, both the helmet holding strap 20 and the flat seat strap 12 are inserted through separate holes of a tri-slide 40 as shown in FIG. 1 to hold the helmet on the seat.

The invention herein is an improvement in the straps of the above-described prior art helmet holder and otherwise preferably has the same components as described above; however, the improvement of the invention may be applied to other helmet holders known in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

Thus the improvement of the instant invention over the prior helmet holders having a seat strap for fastening to a motorcycle seat, and a top piece for placement over a motorcycle helmet and attachable to said seat strap to hold the motorcycle helmet firmly on the motorcycle seat provides a) an improved seat strap, and b) improved heavy-duty helmet holding straps that are without exposed comers, each of these straps having an edgeless hook and loop connection for a smooth seamless strap allowing all hardware to slide easily under tension as set forth herein. This design will prevent the straps from creeping or loosening under vibration or from wind resistance against the helmet.

The seat strap 22 of the invention herein preferably has a buckle 70 at one end as shown in FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 4-5. The preferably rectangular buckle 70 allows the strap to be cinched much tighter than an overlapping strap and is preferably positioned at the side of the seat (FIG. 2), by placing the strap end through the buckle 70 and pulling tightly on the strap end.

The free strap end (not shown in FIG. 2) when pulled through the buckle 70 is preferably at the top of the seat after being pulled through the buckle 70, and the other hardware items discussed herein slide over it. For really large seats the free will be short and may not reach the center of the middle of the top of the seat, and for smaller seats, the free end may reach all across the top and down to the lower edge of the seat on the opposite side of the seat. Wherever the position of the free strap end, once the strap is tightened in the buckle around the seat, the hook portion 46 on the free end may be evenly aligned with and fastened to the loop portion 48 below it.

The smooth cinching of the one-piece strap, structured smoothly as disclosed herein, through the buckle 70 prevents the strap from catching on the rectangular buckle 70. In use on a seat, the position of buckle 70 is easily adjusted so that it is positioned on the side of the seat. Although the buckle could be eliminated, it enables very tight cinching, and is therefore strongly preferred.

The seat strap 22 of the invention herein is preferably 36″×1½″ wide, and has a 1″ wide coating of silicone centrally placed on one side of the strap to allow the strap to adhere to the motorcycle seat without slipping. This seat strap is of a unique design without exposed comers, having an edgeless hook and loop connection for a smooth seamless strap allowing all hardware to slide easily under tension.

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the seat strap 22 of the invention has hook and loop fastening on the face side 42 and heavy-duty webbing 52 on the back side 44. The joint (FIGS. 4 and 6) between the hook portion 46, which is preferably at the free end of the seat strap as shown, and the loop portion 48 is made in such a manner that it is without comers, having an edgeless hook and loop connection for a smooth seamless strap allowing all hardware to slide easily under tensioning of the strap. Thus, at the junction of the hook portion 46 and the loop portion 48, for approximately ¼-½ inch, the two portions 46,48 are made flush on the face side of the strap by a smooth junction comprising an ultrasonic sealed portion 50, using methods known in the art. This provides a “seam” without raised edges or comers on the flat face of the seat strap 22. The seat strap 22 of the invention eliminates four possible comers (the two comers of each of the two hook & loop pieces) and two hook and loop edges which could prevent the strap from being tightened or could possibly allow the sewn strap to tear under extreme tension.

The back side 44 of the strap 22 (FIG. 5) has heavy-duty webbing 52, preferably nylon webbing so that the silicone backing adheres to the webbing (e.g., webbing from Ribbon Webbing, Chicago, Ill.). The webbing runs the entire length of the strap 22, preferably joined to the back side of the joined hook portion and loop portion by means of sewing. The back side 44 of the seat strap 22 has a silicone non-slip coating 54 to allow adhesion of the strap 22 to a vinyl or leather motorcycle seat and prevent slipping or loosening of the seat strap. This non-slipping device prevents the strap from creeping or loosening under vibration or from wind resistance against the helmet.

Alternatively, for use with those motorcycle seats 14 which have a lower thin side edge 20 on the sides of the seat 14, and in which clips 24 (as disclosed in Publication No. US2004/0118888) may be used to hold a seat strap 12 to the seat (FIG. 9), the seat strap 32 only needs to be as long as the distance between the sides of the seat 14 plus allowance for the seat strap 32 to be fastened around the two clips 24 and to extend across the top of the seat 14. In the invention herein, in contrast to that disclosed in the prior publication, this shorter strap 32 is also constructed of webbing and hook and loop as in the embodiment discussed above, and the joint between the hook portion and loop portion is made in the same manner without comers, having an edgeless hook and loop connection for a smooth seamless strap allowing all hardware to slide easily under tensioning of the strap. Thus, as in the previously discussed seat strap 22 at the junction of the hook portion and the loop portion, for approximately ¼-½ inch, the two portions are made flush on the face side of the strap by a smooth junction comprising an ultrasonic sealed portion, using methods known in the art. This provides a “seam” without raised edges or comers on the flat face of the seat strap 32 so that the four possible comers (the two comers of each of the two hook & loop pieces) are eliminated as are the two hook and loop edges which could prevent the strap from being tightened or could possibly allow the sewn strap to tear under extreme tension.

Helmet-holding strap 56 is made of hook and loop on the face side 58 and heavy webbing 62 on the back side 60 (FIGS. 7-8). The joint between the hook portion 64, which is preferably at one end of the helmet-holding strap 56 as shown, and the loop portion 66 is made in such a manner that it is without comers, having an edgeless hook and loop connection for a smooth seamless strap allowing all hardware to slide easily under tensioning of the strap, and is identical to that shown in FIG. 6 and is therefore not separately shown in cross-section. Thus, at the junction of the hook portion 64 and the loop portion 66, for approximately ¼-½ inch, the two portions 64,66 are made flush on the face side 58 of the helmet-holding strap 56 by a smooth junction comprising an ultrasonic sealed portion 68, using methods known in the art (FIG. 7). This provides a “seam” without raised edges or comers on the flat face of the helmet-holding strap 56. The helmet-holding strap 56 of the invention eliminates four possible comers (the two comers of each of the two hook & loop pieces) and two hook and loop edges which could prevent the strap from being tightened or could possibly allow the sewn strap to tear under extreme tension. Preferably the helmet-holding strap 56 is about 11½ inches long and abut 1½ inches wide.

The top piece 16 of the helmet holder improved according to the invention is tightened by inserting helmet-holding strap 56 thru tri-slide 40 and pulling upward on the helmet-holding strap 56 until the appropriate amount of tension is achieved to securely stretch the expandable mesh. Previously designed straps are sewn together with the hook overlapping the loop and stitched in place creating four comers and two edges. These corner and edges can prevent the strap from being tightened under tension or could possibly allow the sewn strap stitching to tear under extreme tension.

Any embodiment of the seat strap of the invention may further include a safety clip 72 (shown in FIG. 9), which when attached to the helmet D-rings, or to other secure portion of the helmet (not shown), provides an additional safety mechanism to be sure that the helmet remains attached to the motorcycle seat 14. A suitable safety clip is a 1.5 inch swivel snap hook (AC103, Velcro USA Inc.).

The invention herein further includes a kit for holding a helmet on a seat, comprising: a) a helmet holder top piece having helmet-holding straps as described above; b) a seat strap preferably with a buckle as described above; and for alternative use for seats in which clips may be used to attach a strap, the kit also includes a second seat strap having clips for hooking to the edge of a seat, and having a smooth junction between a hook portion and a loop portion on the face side made in such a manner that it is without comers having an edgeless hook and loop connection for a smooth and seamless seat strap, and having a non-slip back side. As disclosed in the prior art, the kit may also comprise a safety clip for use with one of the seat straps to assist in holding the helmet on the seat.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that numerous variations, modifications, and embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An improved helmet holder comprising:

a) a seat strap for placement around a seat, the seat strap having a face side and a non-slip back side, a smooth junction between a hook portion and a loop portion on the face side made in such a manner that it is without comers having an edgeless hook and loop connection for a smooth and seamless seat strap; and

b) two helmet-holding straps for attachment of a top piece of the helmet holder to the seat strap and having a face side and a back side, the helmet-holding strap having a smooth junction between a hook portion and a loop portion on the face side made in such a manner that it is without comers having an edgeless hook and loop connection for a smooth and seamless strap to tighten under tension.

2. The improved helmet holder of claim 2, further comprising a rectangular buckle on one end of the seat strap.

3. The improved helmet holder of claim 1, further comprising a safety clip on the seat strap.

4. A kit for holding a helmet on a seat, comprising: a) a helmet holder top piece having helmet-holding straps according to claim 1; b) a seat strap according to claim 1; and c) a second seat strap having clips for hooking to the edge of a seat, and having a smooth junction between a hook portion and a loop portion on the face side made in such a manner that it is without comers having an edgeless hook and loop connection for a smooth and seamless seat strap, and having a non-slip back side.

5. The kit according to claim 4, further comprising a safety clip for use with one of the seat straps.