Helmet Retention System

Abstract

A helmet retention system having a first side strap system configured to connect to a first side of a helmet and a second side strap system configured to connect to an opposite second side of a helmet is provided. A chin cup and a chin cup connecting mechanism are provided. The chin cup connecting mechanism is configured to connect the first and second side strap systems in an area about the user's chin and to vary the amount of tension in the system between at least two predefined tension states. Strap adjusters provide a cam design for tensioning the straps and retaining the adjustors fixed to the straps at the desired adjustment under external force applied to the straps. Anchors provide secure mounting of the straps to the helmet.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/498,920 filed Jun. 20, 2011.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems for retaining a helmet to a user's head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of protective and military helmets are known, such as the helmet known as the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), which was a successor to the Personnel Armor System Ground Troops (PASGT) such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 242,088. Helmet strap systems for holding a helmet to a user's head are also known, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,600,268, 5,123,121, 4,897,888 and US Patent Application Publication 2006/0179537 A1.

The present inventors recognize that it would be desirable to provide a strap system with a geometric configuration that reduces the degree of front-to-back helmet rotation that is allowed by the system.

The present inventors recognize that it would be desirable to provide a strap system with a geometric configuration that reduces the circumstances were a strap could cut up under a user's earlobe or interfere with a circum-aural ear protection or communication device.

One solution for fastening a chinstrap requires putting the closure mechanism on top of the side straps of the system which results in bulky hardware on the face, interference with weapons sighting, and the need for left and right eye-dominant configurations. The present inventors recognize that it would be desirable to eliminate the bulky hardware, weapon interference, eye-dominant configuration requirements in a helmet retention system.

The present inventors recognize that it would be desirable to eliminate the need to adjust the length of straps in the system every time the chin strap is connected rather than at the first fitting.

The present inventors recognize the need for a low profile chin strap closure mechanism.

The present inventors recognize a need for a chin strap closure mechanism that is capable of operation by one hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a helmet retention system having a first side strap system configured to connect to a first side of a helmet and a second side strap system configured to connect to an opposite second side of a helmet. A chin cup and a chin cup connecting mechanism are provided. The chin cup connecting mechanism is configured to connect the first and second side strap systems in an area about the user's chin and to vary the amount of tension in the system between at least two predefined tension states.

In one embodiment, the chin cup connecting mechanism has at least one loop, a plurality of anchor pins, a key-hole strip having a least two openings each configured to engage one or more anchor pins. The selection of the engagement of one or more openings with one or more anchor pins determines, at least in part, the tension state of the system.

In one embodiment, the chin cup comprises an upper strap portion, a first lower strap portion, and a second lower strap portion. The upper strap portion and first lower strap portion are configured to encircle a user's chin in at least one tension state. The key-hole strip is connected to the second lower strap portion.

In one embodiment, the chin cup connecting mechanism comprising at least two loops for connecting opposite sides of the chin cup to the first and second side strap systems.

In one embodiment, the first loop is connected between the upper strap portion and the first lower strap portion and the second loop configured to be located between the second lower strap portion and the first lower strap portion for at least one tension state of the system.

In one embodiment, the first side strap system comprises a first upper front strap portion configured to connect to a front portion of a helmet on a first side and a first lower side strap portion configured to extend to a rear area of a helmet on the first side. The second side strap system comprises a second upper front strap portion configured to connect to a front portion of a helmet on a second side and a second lower side strap portion configured to extend to a rear area of a helmet on the second side.

In one embodiment, the system has a nape pad configured to prevent contact of the straps of the system with portions of the back of a user's neck.

In one embodiment, the system has at least four strap anchors configured to secure opposite ends of the first and second side strap system to a helmet.

In one embodiment, the system has a least one tensioner configured to vary the length of a portion of the first or second side strap systems within a predefined range.

The tensioner has a base and a tension cam. The tension cam is pivotally connected to the base. The base has a crossbar for connecting to a first strap end of the first or second side strap systems; the base has a toothed section ahead of the tension cam opposite the crossbar. The tensioner has an open position and a closed position, the tension cam is configured to create a tortuous path where the strap can engage the teeth under tension when in the closed position.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear view of one embodiment of the helmet retention system.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a second embodiment of the helmet retention system.

FIG. 2A is a view of the connection of segments at a loop.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the helmet retention system of FIG. 1 mounted to a helmet with the chin cup released from a first side of the system.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the helmet retention system of FIG. 1 mounted to a helmet with the chin cup beginning engagement with the first side of the system.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the helmet retention system of FIG. 1 mounted to a helmet with the chin cup further engaged with the first side of the system.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the helmet retention system of FIG. 1 mounted to a helmet with the chin cup engaged with the first side of the system.

FIG. 6A a right side view a the helmet retention system of FIG. 1 with certain details not shown.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the helmet retention system of FIG. 1 mounted to a helmet with the system in a high stability state.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the helmet retention system of FIG. 1 mounted to a helmet with the system in a relaxed stability state.

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of a key-hole strip of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the key-hole strip of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a pin strip of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of chin cup connecting loop of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view D-ring of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a tensioner of the system of FIG. 1 in a locked position.

FIG. 14A is a side view of the tensioner of FIG. 14 with certain elements not shown.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a tensioner of the system of FIG. 1 in an open position.

FIG. 15A is a side view of the tensioner of FIG. 15 with certain elements not shown.

FIG. 16 is a side view of a lever of the tensioner of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a side perspective view of a base of the tensioner of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the lever of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is an exploded front perspective view of an anchor system of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 20 is an exploded rear perspective view of the anchor system of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is an unexploded side view of the anchor system of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

A helmet retention system 100, 101 is disclosed. The system has strap segments 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 168, 170, 172 connected by rings, such as D-rings 130, 132, or strap adjusters or strap tensioners 120, 122, 124, 126, 128. The D-rings 130, 132 are connected to a neck or nape pad 102 and connected to each other by strap segments 168, 170, and tensioner 124. End strap segments 150, 152, 154, 156, which are a subset of the segments, are connected at one end to an anchor 110, 112, 114, 116 for securing the system to a helmet. The combination of strap segments 168 and 170 may be one continuous piece of strap material. A first end of the combination of segments 168 and 170 has a first loop connected around the crossbar of tensioner 124, the continuous strap extends around D-ring 130 and through the tensioner and has a second loop at a second end opposite the first end that is connected around a portion of D-ring 132. By using the tensioner 124, the overall length of the strap segments 168, 170 can be adjusted and the distance between the D-rings 130, 132 can be adjusted.

In one embodiment, the system has a retaining strap 105 to secure the D-rings to the nape pad. A first end of the retaining strap 105 is secured at or adjacent to a first end 102a of the nape pad 102. A second end of the retaining strap opposite the first end is secured at or adjacent a second end 102b of the nape pad. The retaining strap extends through each of the D-rings 130, 132. As shown in FIG. 1, the retaining strap 105 is secured at the first end 102a of the nape pad and extends over a left portion of the D-ring 132 and extends under a right portion of the D-ring 132 and continues under strap segments 170 and 168, and further it continues extending under a left portion of the D-ring 130 and over a right portion of the D-ring 130 and is secured to the second end 102b of the nape pad 102.

The system includes a first lower side strap portion 151 and an opposite second lower side strap portion 161. The system includes a first upper front strap portion 157 and an opposite second upper front strap portion 167. The first lower side strap portion 151 comprises strap segments 160, 162. The second lower side strap portion 161 comprises strap segments 164, 172. The first upper front strap portion 157 comprises strap segments 156, 158. The second upper front strap portion 167 comprises strap segments 150, 166. The rear strap portion 169 comprises strap segments 168, 170.

The system comprises a first side strap system 155 and a second side strap system 165. The first side strap system comprises segments 154, 156, 158, 160, 162. The second side strap system comprises strap segments 150, 152, 166, 164, 172. The system also comprises first and second chin cup-engaging strap portions 153, 163. The first chin cup engaging strap portion 153 comprises strap portions 151, 157. The second chin cup engaging strap portion 163 comprises strap portions 161, 167. In one embodiment, the strap portions 151 and 157 comprise a continuous piece of strap material. A first chin cup connecting loop 142 defines the boundary between strap portion 151 and strap portion 157. The loop 142 is positionable along the overall length of first chin cup engaging strap portion 153 as the system is adjusted using tensioners 126, 128. Likewise, a second chin cup-connecting loop 140 defines the boundary between strap portion 161 and strap portion 167. The loop 140 is positionable along the overall length of first chin cup engaging strap portion 153 as the system is adjusted using tensioners 120, 122.

In one embodiment, each of the first and second chin cup engaging portions comprises one continuous piece of strap material. In this arrangement, a first end of a first continuous piece of material of the first chin cup engaging portion forms a first loop around the cross bar of tensioner 126. The strap then continues around the D-ring 132, extends through tensioner 126, extends through loop 142, extends through tensioner 128, loops through anchor 116 and a second end opposite the first end of the first continuous piece of material forms a second loop around the cross bar of tensioner 128.

A first end of a second continuous piece of material of the second chin cup engaging portion forms a first loop around the cross bar of tensioner 122 continues around the D-ring 130, extends through tensioner 122, extends through loop 140, extends through tensioner 120, loops through anchor 110 and a second end opposite the first end of the second continuous piece of material forms a second loop around the cross bar of tensioner 120.

As shown in FIG. 2A, segments 164 and 166 are one continuous piece of strap material. The segments are secured to each other by stitching rows 166a, 166b to form a loop portion 166c around the loop 140 so as to secure the loop in a position along the lengths of segments 164 and 166. The segments 164 and 166 overlap each other in a V-fashion so that there is a V-shaped overlap portion 166d. The stitching rows 166a and 166b extend through the V-shaped portion onto each of the segments 164, 166. This overlap arrangement is also provided on segments 160, 158 at loop 142. The segments 182, 186 are secured by one or more stitching rows 182a at loop 140 of the chin cup in an arrangement similar to that described regarding segments 164, 166 at loop 140.

The system 100 has a chin cup 181 for engaging on or about a user's chin as shown in FIGS. 3-7. The chin cup 181 has an upper chin strap portion 186, a first lower chin strap portion 182, and a second lower chin strap portion 188. The first lower chin strap portion 182 has an anchor pin strip 180. The second lower chin strap portion 188 connects with a keyhole strip 190. In one embodiment, the second lower chin strap portion 188, the upper chin strap portion 186, and the first lower chin strap portion 182 comprise one continuous piece of strap material where a first end 187 of the first lower chin strap portion is attached at a predefined position along the strap comprising portions 186 and 188 as is shown in FIG. 1. The attachment at the first end edge 184 at the connection of the first end 187 to the upper chin strap portion 186 may be by means known in the art such as gluing, stitching, or the like. The stitching arrangement may be the same as the stitching 182a across segments 182 and 186. In one embodiment, the chin cup 181 is one continuous piece of webbing. The chin cup 181 comprises a second end 185 opposite a first end 187 which is defined by where the loop 140 engages to continuous strap that comprises strap portions 186 and 182. Therefore, the loop 140 is positionable along the strap that comprises strap portions 186 and 182 to define the boundaries of the upper chin strap portion 186 and the first lower chin strap portion 182 respectively. The second lower chin strap portion 188 is configured to be threaded through the first chin cup connecting loop 142.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the second end 185 of the chin cup 181 may be attached to either side of the system. For example in FIG. 1, the second end 185 of the chin cup 181 is threaded through the second chin cup connecting loop 140. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the second end of the chin cup 181 is threaded through the first chin cup connecting loop 142. This connecting point may decided at the place of manufacture or, in one embodiment, the first end 187 of the first lower chin strap portion 182 may be releasably connected to the upper chin strap portion 186 and the second lower chin strap portion 188. The pin strip may be removed and the chin cup may be taken out of the second chin cup connecting loop 140 and placed in the first chin connecting loop 142 or vice versa.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the keyhole strip 190 is shown in more detail. The keyhole strip 190 is configured to engage the pin strip 180. The strip 190 has a first raised portion 210 connected to a recess portion 246 by a sloping section 212. The recess portion 246 adjoins a second raised portion 240 at a step edge 242 opposite the first raised portion 210. The recess portion 246 has a first keyhole opening 220 and a second keyhole opening 230 located along the length of the recess portion 246. Each keyhole opening has large openings 224, 234 contiguous with small openings 222, 232 respectively. The large openings 224, 234 are larger than the pinheads 252, 258 so that the pin heads may be received through large openings.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first raised portion has a corresponding lower portion 211 on the back face of the keyhole strip. A rising slope section 213 corresponds to be sloping section 212 and connects the recess portion on the backside with the lower portion 211. Unlike the first raised portion 210 the second raised portion does not have a corresponding lowered portion. Instead the raised back surface 244 comprises the length of the recess portion 246 and the second raised portion 240. As a result the thickness in the second raised portion is greater than that of the thickness in the recess portion 246 and the first raised portion 210. Each of the large openings 224, 234 of the key hole openings 220, 230 have a dish or angled portion 225, 235 which provides a recess from the back surface 244 to accommodate the pin heads 252, 258 of the pin strip 180. One skilled in the art will recognize that while two keyhole openings are provided, any number of keyhole openings may be provided in the keyhole strip to correspond to the number of pinheads provided in the pin strip. The strap portion 188 may be connected on the lower portion 211 so that the strap portion 188 is in line with the recess portion 246. A slot (not shown) may be formed through the lower portion 211 and thread can be used to secure the strap portion 188 to the lower portion 211. Other means of attachment may also be used.

FIG. 11 provides a detailed view of the pin strip 180. The pin strip 180 comprises a strip body 261. The strip body 261 has four elongated slot openings 260, 262, 264, 266, a first pin 250, and a second pin 256. Two of the four elongated slot openings are center elongated slot openings 262, 264 and are located along the strip body 261 between the two pins 250, 256. The other two of the four elongated slot openings are outside elongated slot openings 260, 266. Outside elongated slot opening 260 is located opposite center elongated slot openings 262 with pin 250 located therebetween. The outside elongated slot opening 266 is located opposite center elongated slot opening 264 with pin 256 located therebetween. Each pin 250, 256 comprises a pin shaft 259 (not shown for pin 250) and a pin head 252, 258. The pin shaft spaces the pin head from the strip body 261.

The strip body 261 comprises an upper arched area 253, 257 and a corresponding lower arched area 251 (not shown for pin 250). The arched areas have a common center with the center of the pin heads 252, 256. The pin heads 252, 256 have a greater radius than the radius of the arched areas. The pin strip may be secured to the first lower chin strap portion 182 via stitching, adhesive, or by securing fasteners through the elongated slot openings 260, 262, 264, 266, or other means known in the fastening art.

In one configuration, the first pin 250 is configured to engage with the first keyhole opening 220 of the keyhole strip, and the second pin 256 is configured to engage with the second keyhole opening 230 of the keyhole strip. In one embodiment, the strip body 261 has an arc that is configured to approximate the under chin contact of a user and provide a comfortable contact therebetween. The keyhole strip has an arch that is substantially similar to the arch of the strip body 261 to provide a conforming contact between the keyhole strip and the strip body when the pins 250, 256 are engaged in the keyhole openings 220, 230 respectively.

Referring to FIG. 10, to secure the keyhole strip 190 to the pin strip 180 each of the large openings 224, 234 are positioned under the pin heads 252, 258. A keyhole strip 190 is raised in that direction A shown in FIG. 10 and the pins pass through the large openings 224, 234 until the pin heads clear at least the lowest portion of the dished areas 225, 235. To lock the keyhole strip and the second lower strap in place, the keyhole strip is then moved so that pin shafts 259 (not shown for pin 250) engage the small opening 222, 232 respectively, shown as the direction B in FIG. 10. To remove key hole strip from the pin strip 180 the keyhole strip is moved in the direction opposite of direction B shown in FIG. 10 so that the pin heads 252, 258 align over the large openings 224, 234.

FIGS. 3-8 shows the system in various stages of use. In FIG. 3, the chin cup 181 is shown disconnected from the first chin cup engaging strap portion 153. The chin cup 181 is attached to the second chin cup engaging strap portion 163 by second chin cup connecting loop 140. The anchors 110, 112, 114, 116 are attached to the helmet 50 to hold the system to the helmet. FIG. 6A shows a right side view, with details not shown, of the system as it is attached to a helmet 50 at a front side attachment location 55 and a rear side attachment location 54. The anchor 110 connects at attachment location 55 and anchor 112 connects at attachment location 54.

In FIG. 4, the keyhole strip 190 has been inserted through the first chin cup connecting loop 142 so that the first chin connecting loop 142 is located between the first keyhole opening 220 in the second keyhole opening 230. In FIG. 5, the keyhole strip 190 has been pulled through the first chin cup connecting loop 142 and along the second lower chin strap portion 188 until the loop 142 reached the first end edge 184 which is where the upper chin strap portion 186 meets the first lower chin strap portion 182.

Each connecting loop 140, 142 has parallel arm portions 140a, 140b connected at each end to end segments to form the loop, as shown in FIG. 12. To secure the chin cup in position the second lower chin strap portion 188 is folded over one of the two arm portions 140a, 140b of the first chin cup connecting loop 142. As the second lower chin strap portion 188 is folded over the first chin cup connecting loop 142, the first and second keyhole openings 220, 230 of the keyhole strip 190 are aligned with the first pin 250 and the second pin 256 of the pin strip. The keyhole strip is then engaged with the pin strip as explained above to secure the chin cup in position between the first and second chin cup connecting loops 140, 142.

The system has at least two tension settings as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. A high stability tension setting is shown in FIG. 7. In the high stability tension setting the first and second keyhole openings 220, 230 are engaged with the first and second pins 250, 256 to cause the upper chin strap portion 186 of the chin cup to be located between the lower edge of the chin of a user and the user's lips as shown in FIG. 7. In the high stability tension setting, both the upper strap portion 186 and the first lower strap portion 182 are more fully engaged with the user's face about the user's chin.

A relaxed tension setting is shown in FIG. 8. In this configuration, less than all the keyhole openings are engaged with less than all of the pins. In the relaxed tension setting shown, only one keyhole opening is engaged with one of the pins. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the second keyhole opening 230 is engaged with the first pin 250. In this configuration, the first end edge 184 is not necessarily in contact with the first chin cup connecting loop 142. The second pin 256 is not engaged with the keyhole opening. In the relaxed tension setting, more slack is provided in the chin cup 181 between the chin cup connecting loops 140,142 so that the upper chin strap portion is located at a lower position relative to the user's chin than in the case of the high stability tension setting. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the upper chin strap portion 186 is located below the user's chin 52 along a least a portion of the upper chin strap portion's length. The relaxed tension setting also allows compatibility with CBRN masks.

The system provides a strap link adjustability mechanism where the length of any one of the strap portions 151, 157, 161, 167, 169 may vary within a predefined range by the use of tensioners 120, 122, 124, 126, 128. Each of tensioners 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 is identical to the others, therefore only one tensioner will be described in detail. Each tensioner has an open position in a locked position. The open position as shown in FIGS. 15 and 15A; the locked position is shown in FIGS. 14 and 14A. Component parts of the tensioner are shown in FIGS. 16, 17, and 18.

Each tensioner has a base 300. The base has opposing base side walls 304, 306 joined by a crossbar 302 and a front bar such as a tooth bar 308. The outward facing surface of the side walls each have a series of parallel vertical grip bars 316 to aid a user's grip for sliding or adjusting the location of the tensioner. Adjacent to the grip bars 316 are pivot lever mounting holes 320, 322 for connecting with a pivot lever 330. The tooth bar 308 is located at the front of the base 300. The tooth bar 308 has a front surface 309 opposite a back surface. The back surface of the tooth bar has a plurality of teeth 310 extending rearward towards the crossbar 302. The tooth bar has an upper surface that is recessed below the highest surface of the side walls as shown in FIG. 17. On the inside surface of the side walls between the tooth bar and a crossbar is a lever pin channel 324, 326 that extends from the top edge of the side wall down to the pivot lever mounting holes 320, 322.

The pivot lever 330 is shown in FIGS. 16 and 18. The lever has a front edge 351, a first sloping upper front surface 348 continuing on the top side to a second upper sloping surface 346 continuing on the top to a rear tail surface 356 and connecting with a tail tooth 360. On the underside of the lever from the front edge 351 is a first bottom sloping section 350 connecting to a concave second bottom sloping section 352 further connecting to a third bottom portion 354 connecting with the tail tooth 360. The lever has opposite lateral lever sidewalls 341, 343. Each side has a base-engaging pin 336, 338. Since the pins 336,338 are mirror image identical across a longitudinal, vertical center plane of the lever (which center plane contains the curved line L in FIG. 18), only the pin 336 need be described. The pin 336 extends outward from the side wall. The pin 336 joins the side wall at a dish portion 342. The dish portion 342 provides a smooth concave transition between the sidewall 341 and the shaft 345. The outer face of the pin provides a vertical section 340 and an angled section 339. The vertical section 340 comprises half of the outer face of the pin and the angled section 339 comprises the second half. The angled section of the surface of the pin is designed smooth the connection between the base and is the first component of the pin to contact the channels 326, 324 when the lever is attached to the base. In one embodiment, the pins 336, 338 are aligned over the channels 326, 324 so that the angled portions 339 (not labeled or shown for pin 338) are closest to the channels. Downward force is then applied to the upper surface 348, 346 of the lever to force the pins down through the channels to a snapped engagement in the pivot lever mounting holes 322, 320.

Each of the lever sidewalls 341, 343 of the lever include locking nubs 332, 337. Each of the inside surfaces of the sidewalls 306, 304 of the base 300 have locking nub recesses 303 (not shown for sidewall 306). The locking nub recess 303 may be located so that when the lever is in a closed position, the top surface of the lever is parallel with the top surface of the sidewalls of the base portion. In another embodiment, locking recess may be located so that when the lever is in a closed position, the top surface of the lever is above or below the top surface of the side walls of the base portion. The locking nub has a snapped engagement with the locking recess to ensure proper closure and prevent accidental release.

The location of the base engaging pins 336, 338 and the shape of the front of the lever, including the first bottom sloping section 350, a front edge 351 in the first sloping upper front surface portion 348, forms a cam end 353. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 the lever pins are received in the lever pinholes of the base and the lever is pivotable about the lever pinholes between an open and a locked position. Strap segment 160 has a loop end 160a secured around the crossbar 302. The loop end is formed by the strap being folded over on itself and is secured to itself. Strap 162 is threaded over the tooth bar 308 under the cam end of the lever and over the crossbar to extend out the rear end of the tensioner.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 14A, when the lever is moved to the locked or closed position that cam end of the lever pivots about the lever pins forwardly towards the teeth 310. Therefore, the strap 162 is secured between the teeth and the cam end of the lever including the front edge 351. In one embodiment, the lever does not provide pressure between the strap 162 and the crossbar 302. In one embodiment, the pressure provided between the strap 162 and the crossbar is negligible and the holding force is provided between the cam end of the lever and the teeth 310 of the tooth bar 308.

Referring to FIG. 14A, in one embodiment, when the tensioner is in a locked position the lever 330 including the cam end 353, the tooth bar 308, and the crossbar 302 create a tortuous path where the strap 162 will engage the teeth 310 under tension. The tortuous path, beginning at the left in FIG. 14A, has a downward segment which encounters the teeth 310 between the tooth bar 208 and the front of the cam end 353 and an upward extending segment that follows along the bottom of the lever over the crossbar 302 and out the rear of the tensioner. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 14A, the teeth come in close proximity to the cam but the teeth do not touch the cam. While the teeth may contact or come in close proximity to the cam, because of the tortuous path, it is not necessary for the cam end 353 to put excessive pressure on the strap between the teeth to secure the strap in position. This may reduce wear on the teeth and other components and extend the working life of the tensioner. In FIG. 15A, the tensioner is in the open position. When the tensioner is in the open position, the strap is relieved from the tortuous path in that the strap is not forced in contact with the teeth 310 and the strap extends along a top portion of the lever including along the first sloping upper front surface 348.

The cam end has an over-center design such that the cam end 353 is urged to rotate when subjected to strap tension. Strap 162 extends around the cam end 353 that is radially spaced from the pivot axis at the base engaging pins 336,338 wherein pivoting of the lever from an open position to the locked or tensioning position pulls the strap about the cam tending to shorten the effective length of strap via the tortuous path that has a longer length, as compared to the open path when in the open position, and produces a tension in the strap. If the strap 162 is further drawn in the direction D shown in FIG. 14A when the tensioner is in the locked position, the additional drawing force will urge the lever to rotate with respect to the base 300 toward the closed position as the strap draws upward on the front bottom sloping section 350 and the front edge 351 about the pivot axis, which creates a rotational force or moment on the cam end 353 and increases the griping force of the tensioner on the strap.

In operation, to extend the strap's effective length, strap 162 is moved in the direction C shown in FIG. 14 so that more of strap 162 is located in front of the cam end of the lever. To reduce the strap's effective length, strap 162 is moved in the direction opposite of the directions C shown in FIG. 14 so that more of the strap 162 is located to the rear of the crossbar 302.

As is shown in FIG. 14, tail tooth 360 is recessed from the plane defined by rear surfaces 301, 305 of the sidewalls 304, 306 of the base 300 to avoid the tail tooth snagging unintentionally on other elements that may be close to the system. However, the tail tooth 360 provides a grip or contact point that allows the tensioner to be operated while the user is wearing gloves.

The D-ring 130, 132 is shown in FIG. 13. The D-ring has strap engaging links 133, 134, 135 joined together by intervening shorter links 136, 137, 138 respectively.

Each of the anchors 110, 112, 114, 116 is identical. An anchor system 400 is shown in FIGS. 19, 20, and 21. The anchors system includes an anchor 110, 112, 114, 116, a screw receiver such as a t-nut 410, and a screw 440. The anchor includes a helmet mounting portion 428 and a strap connecting portion 452. The helmet mounting portion 428 includes a mounting hole 426. The back surface of the helmet mounting portion 428 includes a diamond recess 430. The t-nut 410 includes a shaft portion 412 and a diamond shaped plate portion 414. The t-nut includes a threaded bore 416 that extends through the shaft portion 412 and the diamond shaped plate portion 414. The diamond shaped plate portion 414 is sized to fit in the diamond recess 430 so as to prevent substantial rotation of the T-nut 410. The screw 440 has a threaded shaft portion 442 connected to a non-threaded shaft portion 446, which is connected to the head 444.

The strap connecting portion 452 includes a strap opening 422 adjacent to a strap bar 420. The strap connecting portion 452 is angled away from or setoff from the plane defined by the helmet mounting portion 428 to prevent the strap from pinching against a helmet mounting surface. In one embodiment, the set off is 3 mm. The anchor may include an oblong center opening 424 for reducing the weight of anchor.

As shown in FIG. 21, the shaft portion 412 of the t-nut is received in the mounting hole 426 of the anchor and the diamond recess 430 is receives the diamond shaped plate portion 414 of the t-nut that so that shaft portion 412 extends beyond the surface of the anchor opposite the diamond shaped recess. The screw may be threaded into the bore 416 until the non-threaded shaft portion 446 contacts the shaft portion 412 or is in close proximity thereto, or until sufficient resistance is created between the screw head and the helmet. Therefore, the anchor is secured to a helmet between the screw thread and a helmet engaging portion 428 in a helmet engaging area 450.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.

Claims

1. A helmet retention system, comprising:

a first side strap system configured to connect to a first side of a helmet;

a second side strap system configured to connect to an opposite second side of a helmet a chin cup; and

a chin cup connecting mechanism configured to connect the first and second side strap systems in an area about the user's chin, and to vary the amount of tension in the system between at least two predefined tension states.

2. The helmet retention system of claim 1, wherein the chin cup connecting mechanism comprises at least one loop, a plurality of anchor pins, a key-hole strip having a least two openings each configured to engage one or more anchor pins, wherein the selection of the engagement of one or more openings with one or more anchor pins determines, at least in part, the tension state of the system.

3. The helmet retention system of claim 2, wherein the chin cup comprises an upper strap portion, a first lower strap portion, and a second lower strap portion, the upper strap portion and first lower strap portion configured to encircle a user's chin in at least one tension state, the key-hole strip connected to the second lower strap portion.

4. The helmet retention system of claim 1, wherein the chin cup comprises a chin cup connecting mechanism, wherein the chin cup connecting mechanism comprising at least two loops for connecting opposite sides of the chin cup to the first and second side strap systems.

5. The helmet retention system of claim 4, wherein a first loop of said at least two loops is connected between the upper strap portion and the first lower strap portion, and a second loop of said at least two loops configured to be located between the second lower strap portion and the first lower strap portion for at least one tension state of the system.

6. The helmet system of claim 1, wherein the first side strap system comprises a first upper front strap portion configured to connect to a front portion of a helmet on a first side and a first lower side strap portion configured to extend to a rear area of a helmet on the first side; and

the second side strap system comprises a second upper front strap portion configured to connect to a front portion of a helmet on a second side and a second lower side strap portion configured to extend to a rear area of a helmet on the second side.

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. The helmet system of claim 1, comprising at least one tensioner configured to vary the length of a portion of the first or second side strap systems within a predefined range.

11. The helmet system of claim 10, wherein the at least one tensioner comprises a base and a tension cam.

12. The helmet system of claim 10, wherein the tensioner comprises a base and a tension cam pivotally connected to the base, the base has a crossbar for connecting to a first strap end of the first or second side strap systems, the base has a toothed section ahead of the tension cam opposite the crossbar.

13. The helmet system of claim 12, wherein the tensioner has an open position and a closed position, the tension cam is configured to create a tortuous path where the strap will engage the teeth under tension when in the closed position.

14. A strap adjuster comprising:

a base having opposing base side walls joined by a crossbar and a front bar, the crossbar spaced apart and parallel to the front bar;

a pivot lever pivotally connected to the side walls about a pivot axis, having an open position and a closed position with respect to the base depending on the pivoted position of the pivot lever, the pivot lever having a front edge, wherein when the pivot lever is in the closed position a tortuous path for a strap is formed between the base side walls and extending above the crossbar, below the front edge of the pivot lever tooth bar, and above the front bar, the pivot lever having an over-center design such that when the pivot lever is pivoted into the closed position, increasing strap tension acts to exert a moment on the lever about the pivot axis that is directed to urge the lever to pivot toward the closed position with respect to the base.

15. The strap adjuster according to claim 14, wherein the pivot lever comprises a cam end, formed by the front edge, a first sloping upper front surface continuing on the top side to a second upper sloping surface, wherein when the lever is in the open position and is rotated into the closed position, the cam end exerts a tensioning force on a strap that is threaded between the base side walls, over the crossbar under the cam end and over the front bar, until the pivot lever reaches the closed position.

16. The strap adjuster according to claim 14, wherein the front bar has a front surface opposite a back surface, the back surface of the front bar having a plurality of teeth extending rearward towards the crossbar.

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. The strap adjuster according to claim 14, wherein the pivot lever comprise opposite lever sidewalls and each of the lever sidewalls include a locking nub, and wherein each inside surface of the base side walls have locking nub recesses, the locking nub recess located such that the locking nubs have a snap engagement with the locking recess when the pivot lever is rotated into the closed position.

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. A helmet retention system, comprising:

a first lower side strap portion and an opposite second lower side strap portion;

a first upper front strap portion connected at one end at an angle to the first lower side strap portion and connectable to a helmet at an opposite end, and an opposite second upper front strap portion connected at one end at an angle to the second lower side strap portion and connectable to the helmet at an opposite end;

a first loop connected to the first upper front strap portion at the connection between the first upper front strap portion and the first lower side strap portion;

a second loop connected to the second upper front strap portion at the connection between the second upper front strap portion and the second lower side strap portion;

the first lower side strap portion connected to a first ring and the second lower side strap portion connected to a second ring; and

a first rear upper strap portion connected at one end to the first ring and connectable at an opposite end to the helmet, and a second rear upper strap portion connected to the second ring at a first end and connectable at an opposite end to the helmet; and

a chin cup connected between the first and second loops.

32. The helmet retention system according to claim 31, comprising a plurality of strap adjusters each for adjusting strap length and one of each arranged respectively on the first lower side strap portion and the opposite second lower side strap portion.

33. The helmet retention system according to claim 31, comprising a plurality of strap adjusters each for adjusting strap length and one of each arranged respectively on the first upper front strap portion and the opposite second upper front strap portion.

34. The helmet retention system according to claim 31, comprising a nape pad and a restraining strap, wherein a first end of the retaining strap is secured at or adjacent to a first end of the nape pad, a second end of the retaining strap opposite the first end is secured at or adjacent a second end of the nape pad, wherein the retaining strap extends through each of the rings.

35. An anchor system for connecting straps to a helmet, comprising:

an anchor;

a screw receiver; and

a screw, the anchor including a helmet mounting portion and a strap connecting portion, the helmet mounting portion including a mounting hole, the back surface of the helmet mounting portion including a shaped recess open into the mounting hole, the screw receiver including a shaft portion and a shaped plate portion, the screw receiver includes a threaded bore that extends through the shaft portion and the shaped plate portion, the threaded bore configured to receive the screw for attaching the anchor to a helmet, the shaped plate portion is sized to fit in the shaped recess, wherein the shape of the shaped plate portion and the shape of the shaped recess prevent substantial rotation of the screw receiver with respect to the helmet mounting portion; and

the strap connecting portion includes a strap opening adjacent to a strap bar for connecting a strap.

36. The anchor system according to claim 35, wherein the strap connecting portion is angled off from the helmet mounting portion.