HELMET WITH BUILT-IN STORAGE COMPARTMENT AND METHOD

Abstract

A helmet (24) having a built-in storage compartment (7) located beneath an exterior shell (2) of the helmet (24). The helmet (24), which may be a helmet (24) used in sporting activities or for work purposes, has interior shell (23) adapted to engage a head of a user, a front portion (3), a rear portion (4) and a first side (5) and an opposing second side (6). At least one storage compartment (7) is located between the exterior shell (2) and the interior shell (23) wherein the storage compartment (7) is predeterminedly sized and predeterminedly shaped. The storage compartment (7) has a base (8) and preferably four sides (9, 10, 11 and 12) extending from the base (8) which intersect with the exterior shell (2) to form the storage compartment (7). A cover (13) is secured to the helmet exterior shell (2) and is predeterminedly sized and shaped so as to substantially cover the storage compartment (7). A securing means (16), which may be a push button (17) or rotatable flange (27), retains the cover (13) in a closed position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to helmets, more particularly, a helmet with a built-in storage compartment which permits a user to carry various objects, such as cellular telephones, keys, money, etc. within the compartment.

Currently, individuals engaged in physical activities wherein the use of a helmet is recommended or required, such as when skateboarding, bicycling, rollerblading or participating in other sports activities, typically do not carry personal objects, such as cellular telephones, keys, money, etc. on his/her person for several reasons.

Whenever a person is participating in a sporting activity, the use of his/her hands is limited, thus preventing the person from holding the objects. Therefore, many individuals find it desirable to carry the objects in his/her pockets. However, if the individual is participating in a sport which may result in the person falling or being injured, there is a risk that the objects in the pocket will also become damaged. In addition, there is a risk that the objects in the pocket will fall out when the person is participating in the sport. Thus, many individuals simply do not carry personal objects in his/her pockets when participating in various sports.

In addition, if the person is wearing clothing without pockets, such as a uniform or bicycle shorts, the option of carrying objects in his/her pockets is eliminated. Although fanny packs or backpacks may be used in lieu of pockets to carry items, many individuals find wearing these items cumbersome and inhibit the individuals movement.

If the individual does not carry the objects in his/her pocket or in a fanny pack or backpack on himself/herself, he/she oftentimes leaves the objects in a remote location adjacent to the area where he/she is participating in a sport. However, if the objects are left unattended, the opportunity for theft is greatly increased.

As the person is wearing a helmet while participating in the sports activity, it would be efficient to utilize a helmet having a built-in storage compartment to permit the user to carry various objects, such as cellular telephones, keys, money, etc. within the compartment.

The relevant prior art includes the following references:

U.S. Pat. No.
(U.S. unless stated otherwise)	Inventor	Issue/Publication Date
3,496,575	Neckermann et al.	Feb. 24, 1970
4,744,106	Wang	May 17, 1988
5,508,900	Norman	Apr. 16, 1996
2004/0226079	Rainey	Nov. 18, 2004
2002/0157173	Murasko et al.	Oct. 31, 2002
3,750,192	Beresic	Aug. 07, 1973
3,765,031	Beresic	Oct. 16, 1973
5,193,226	Mortenson	Mar. 16, 1993

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a helmet with built-in storage compartment which permits a user to carry various objects, such as cellular telephones, keys, money, etc. within the compartment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a helmet with built-in storage compartment that protects a wearer's head from injury.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a helmet with built-in storage compartment that is easy to use.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a helmet with built-in storage compartment that is attractive in appearance.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a helmet with built-in storage compartment having the built-in storage compartment located beneath an exterior shell of the helmet. The helmet, which may be a helmet used in sporting activities or for work purposes, has an interior shell adapted to engage a head of a user, a front portion, a rear portion and a first side and an opposing second side. At least one storage compartment is located between the exterior shell and the interior shell wherein the storage compartment is predeterminedly sized and predeterminedly shaped. The storage compartment has a base and at least one side extending from the base which intersect with the exterior shell to form the storage compartment. A cover is secured to said helmet exterior shell and is predeterminedly sized and shaped so as to substantially cover the storage compartment. A securing means, which may be a push button or rotatable flange, retains the cover in a closed position.

The helmet may be one typically used in sports, such as skateboarding, bicycling, rollerblading, wherein the helmet includes straps, or in other sports wherein the helmet does not include straps, such as baseball. In addition, the helmet maybe a helmet typically used in the construction field or any other safety helmet, such as those worn when riding motorcycles or other vehicles.

To use the present invention, a user first opens the cover so as to expose the storage compartment. Then, he or she places an object within the storage compartment and closes the cover. Finally, he or she uses the securing means to retain the cover in the closed position.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a first embodiment of a helmet with built-in storage compartment;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with an open cover;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 without straps;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a storage compartment of the present invention having an object located therein;

FIG. 6 is a perspective plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing a securing means; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a helmet with built-in storage compartment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:

1.  helmet with built-in storage
    compartment, generally
2.  exterior shell
3.  front portion
4.  rear portion
5.  first side
6.  second side
7.  storage compartment
8.  base
9.  storage compartment first
    side
10. storage compartment second
    side
11. storage compartment third
    side
12. storage compartment fourth
    side
13. cover
14. cover top surface
15. cover bottom surface
16. securing means
17. push button
18. hinge
19. notch
20. latch
21. object
22. strap
23. interior shell
24. helmet
25. padding
26. cushion
27. flange

With reference to FIG. 1, a side plan view of a first embodiment of a helmet with built-in storage compartment is shown. The helmet with built-in storage compartment, generally 1 includes a helmet 24 and a storage compartment 7 housed within the helmet 24. The helmet 24, which may be any safety helmet used for work or non-work purposes, typically includes a rigid exterior shell 2 having a front portion 3, a rear portion 4, a first side 5 and a second side 6 (shown in FIG. 2). The helmet 24 may also include at least one strap 22 for securing the helmet 24 on a person's head. A cover 13 is preferably located on top of the helmet 24 and, when in a closed position, covers the storage compartment 7. The cover 13 is maintained in a closed position via a securing means 16 which, when activated, permits a user to access the storage compartment 7 to rest at least one object, such as a cellular telephone, keys, money, identification, etc., within the storage compartment 7 on a storage compartment base 8.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The cover 13 is preferably secured to the helmet 24 via at least one hinge 18 so as to permit opening and closing of the cover 13. The securing means 16, which is preferably a recessed push button 17 located adjacent to the cover 13, permits a user to retain the cover 13 in a closed position against the exterior shell 2.

With reference to FIG. 3, a side plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with an open cover is shown. The cover 13, has a cover top surface 14, which is preferably sized and shaped so as to be streamlined with the helmet 24 when the cover 13 is closed, and an opposing cover bottom surface 15. When the cover 13 is closed, the cover bottom surface 15 encapsulates the storage compartment 7. The cover 13 also includes a cover front surface 28 which preferably has a notch 19 located therein. When the cover 13 is open, a user is able to access the storage compartment 7 so as to place at least one object 21 within the storage compartment 7.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 without straps. The helmet 24 includes an interior shell 23, which is also preferably made of a rigid material, adapted to engage a head of the user. The helmet 24 may also include padding 25 located adjacent to the interior shell 23 so as to make wearing of the helmet 24 more comfortable. If padding 25 is used, the base 8 of the storage compartment 7 is located between the padding 25 and the interior shell 23 so as to prevent the user from hitting his/her head against the base 8 of the storage compartment 7.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a storage compartment of the present invention having an object located therein. The object 21, which is shown herewith as a cellular telephone, is housed within the storage compartment 7. The storage compartment 7 preferably has a storage compartment first side 9, a storage compartment second side 10, a storage compartment third side 11 and a storage compartment fourth side 12. The sides 9, 10, 11 and 12 extend upwardly from the storage compartment base 8 so as to intersect with the exterior shell 2 of the helmet 24, thereby forming the storage compartment 7. An optional cushion 26 may be located on the base 8, on the cover bottom surface 15 and along the sides 9, 10, 11 and 12 so as to provide extra protection of the object(s) 21 contained within the storage compartment 7

FIG. 6 shows a perspective plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing a securing means. The securing means 16 is preferably a recessed push button 17 with moveable latch 20 located on the helmet 24 adjacent to the cover 13. At least one notch 19 is located on the cover front surface 28 wherein the notch 19 is sized and shaped for the acceptance of the moveable latch 20. When the push button 17 is pressed, the latch 20 retracts from the notch 19, thereby unlocking the cover 13 from the helmet 24. Because the cover 13 is preferably secured to the helmet 24 in such a manner as to raise the cover 13 a predetermined distance above the exterior shell 2 when the push button 17 is pressed, the user may open the cover 13 and place at least one object 21 within the storage compartment 7.

Finally, FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a helmet with built-in storage compartment of the present invention. The helmet 24, which may be in the form of a construction helmet, includes an alternate securing means 16 wherein a rotatable flange 27 is used. The flange 27, which is secured to the exterior shell 2, is positioned over a portion of the cover 13 in order to retain the cover 13 in a closed position. When the rotatable flange 27 is no longer positioned over a portion of the cover 13, the cover 13 is able to be lifted, thereby exposing the storage compartment 7.

The use of the present invention will permit a user to carry various objects, such as cellular telephones, keys, money, etc. within a storage compartment located within a helmet.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims

1. A helmet with built-in storage compartment comprising:

a helmet having an exterior shell and an interior shell;

said interior shell adapted to engage a head of a user;

said helmet having a front portion;

said helmet having a rear portion;

said helmet having a first side and an opposing second side;

at least one storage compartment located between said exterior shell and said interior shell wherein said at least one storage compartment is predeterminedly sized and predeterminedly shaped;

said at least one storage compartment having a base;

said at least one storage compartment having at least one side extending from said base which intersect with said exterior shell;

a cover secured to said helmet exterior shell and predeterminedly sized and shaped so as to substantially cover said at least one storage compartment;

said cover having a top surface and a bottom surface; and

a securing means for retaining said cover in a closed position.

2. The helmet with built-in storage compartment of claim 1 wherein:

said cover is hingedly secured to said exterior shell.

3. The helmet with built-in storage compartment of claim 1 wherein:

said securing means is a rotatable flange secured to said exterior shell such that said rotatable flange is positioned over said cover in order to retain said cover in a closed position.

4. The helmet with built-in storage compartment of claim 2 wherein:

said securing means is a rotatable flange secured to said exterior shell such that said rotatable flange is positioned over a portion of said cover in order to retain said cover in a closed position.

5. The helmet with built-in storage compartment of claim 1 wherein:

said securing means is at least one push button located on said exterior shell adjacent to said cover;

said at least one push button having a moveable latch which is retracted upon depressing said at least one push button;

said cover has a front surface; and

at least one notch located on said cover front surface sized for the acceptance of said movable latch;

wherein said movable latch is located within said at least one notch in order to retain said cover in a closed position.

6. The helmet with built-in storage compartment of claim 2 wherein:

said securing means is at least one push button located on said exterior shell adjacent to said cover;

said at least one push button having a moveable latch which is retracted upon depressing said at least one push button;

said cover has a front surface; and

at least one notch located on said cover front surface sized for the acceptance of said movable latch;

wherein said movable latch is located within said at least one notch in order to retain said cover in a closed position.

7. The helmet with built-in storage compartment of claim 1 further comprising:

a predetermined amount of cushion located on said base.

8. The helmet with built-in storage compartment of claim 2 further comprising:

a predetermined amount of cushion located on said base.

9. The helmet with built-in storage compartment of claim 3 further comprising:

a predetermined amount of cushion located on said base.

10. The helmet with built-in storage compartment of claim 4 further comprising:

a predetermined amount of cushion located on said base.

11. The helmet with built-in storage compartment of claim 5 further comprising:

a predetermined amount of cushion located on said base.

12. The helmet with built-in storage compartment of claim 6 further comprising:

a predetermined amount of cushion located on said base.

13. A helmet with built-in storage compartment comprising:

a helmet having an exterior shell and an interior shell;

said interior shell adapted to engage a head of a user;

said helmet having a front portion;

said helmet having a rear portion;

said helmet having a first side and an opposing second side;

at least one storage compartment located between said exterior shell and said interior shell wherein said at least one storage compartment is predeterminedly sized and predeterminedly shaped;

said at least one storage compartment having a base;

said at least one storage compartment having at least one side extending from said base which intersect with said exterior shell;

a cover hingedly secured to said helmet exterior shell and predeterminedly sized and shaped so as to substantially cover said at least one storage compartment;

said cover having a top surface and a bottom surface;

said cover having a front surface;

a securing means for retaining said cover in a closed position;

at least one push button located on said exterior shell adjacent to said cover;

said at least one push button having a moveable latch which is retracted upon depressing said at least one push button; and

at least one notch located on said cover front surface sized for the acceptance of said movable latch;

wherein said movable latch is located within said at least one notch in order to retain said cover in a closed position.

14. The helmet with built-in storage compartment of claim 13 further comprising:

a predetermined amount of cushion located on said base.

15. A helmet with built-in storage compartment comprising:

a helmet having an exterior shell and an interior shell;

said interior shell adapted to engage a head of a user;

said helmet having a front portion;

said helmet having a rear portion;

said helmet having a first side and an opposing second side;

at least one storage compartment located between said exterior shell and said interior shell wherein said at least one storage compartment is predeterminedly sized and predeterminedly shaped;

said at least one storage compartment having a base;

said at least one storage compartment having four sides extending from said base which intersect with said exterior shell;

a cover hingedly secured to said helmet exterior shell and predeterminedly sized and shaped so as to substantially cover said at least one storage compartment;

said cover having a top surface and a bottom surface;

said cover having a front surface, a rear surface and two opposing side surfaces;

a securing means for retaining said cover in a closed position;

at least one push button located on said exterior shell adjacent to said cover;

said at least one push button having a moveable latch which is retracted upon depressing said at least one push button; and

at least one notch located on said cover front surface sized for the acceptance of said movable latch;

wherein said movable latch is located within said at least one notch in order to retain said cover in a closed position.

16. The helmet with built-in storage compartment of claim 15 further comprising:

a predetermined amount of cushion located on said base.

17. A method of using a helmet with built-in storage compartment comprising a helmet having an exterior shell and an interior shell; said interior shell adapted to engage a head of a user; said helmet having a front portion; said helmet having a rear portion; said helmet having a first side and an opposing second side; at least one storage compartment located between said exterior shell and said interior shell wherein said at least one storage compartment is predeterminedly sized and predeterminedly shaped; said at least one storage compartment having a base; said at least one storage compartment having at least one side extending from said base which intersect with said exterior shell; a cover secured to said helmet exterior shell and predeterminedly sized and shaped so as to substantially cover said at least one storage compartment; said cover having a top surface and a bottom surface; and a securing means for retaining said cover in a closed position, said method comprising the steps of:

a. opening said cover to expose said at least one storage compartment;

b. inserting an object into said at least one storage compartment; and

c. closing said cover to conceal said at least one storage compartment.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising a step after step c of:

d. securing said cover to retain said cover in said closed position.