Full-face-type helmet windshield prop

Abstract

The invention pertains to full-face-type helmet windshields, like motorcycle helmet windshields. A modern full-face-type motorcycle helmet, where the windshield is free to be opened and closed as a piece separate from the helmet proper, has a fully open position which stops before the top protective surface or crown area of the helmet, a fully closed position where the windshield rests on the bottom protective surface or chin guard of the helmet, and 1 or more intermediate catches between the fully opened and fully closed positions. At speeds around or above 55 mph the catches do not hold the windshield in place—wind resistance forces it fully open or fully closed. To permit airflow into the helmet and prevent the windshield from being blown completely open or closed an auxiliary prop is required.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefits of the provisional patent application 61/642,442 filed on May 3, 2012.

INTRODUCTION

Currently, no stand-alone full-face-type helmet windshield prop exists. A modern full-face-type helmet, where the windshield is free to be opened and closed as a piece separate from the helmet proper, has a fully open position which stops before the top protective surface or crown area of the helmet, a fully closed position where the windshield rests on the bottom protective surface or chin guard of the helmet, and 1 or more intermediate catches between the fully opened and fully closed positions. At speeds around 55 mph most catches do not hold the windshield in place—wind resistance forces it fully open or fully closed. To permit airflow into the helmet, enabling defogging if applicable, and prevent the windshield from being blown completely open or closed an auxiliary prop is required. The aerodynamics when the helmet windshield is almost fully closed prevents it from being blown open and the prop prevents it from full closure, leaving approximately a 5 mm gap for air to circulate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a full-face-type helmet containing an opening and closing windshield, for example, a full-face-type motorcycle helmet. The present invention is optimally applied to an on-road driving full-face-type helmet such as a motorcycle helmet.

One embodiment of this invention improves on the integrated full-face-type helmet windshield prop as it is stand-alone and can be used on any full-face-type helmet. It can also be removed while riding, quickly and easily, to allow the windshield to close completely if required.

Another embodiment of this invention improves on the multiple catches most full-face-type helmets employ as it will barely keep the windshield open which promotes ventilation and defogging. It will not keep windshield in any position, it just prevents the windshield from closing completely.

The primary objective of a preferred embodiment of this invention is to provide a universal full-face-type helmet prop that facilitates ventilation and defogging. The prop attaches to the bottom or top of the windshield where the windshield comes in contact with the chin guard—if attached to the bottom, or where the windshield comes in contact with the crown area—if attached to the top, of the helmet when the windshield is in the closed position. The prop does not span the entire bottom or top of the windshield. It only takes up approximately 5 mm of the windshield length and does not impede field of vision. The prop is shaped like a closed U and the shape is what holds it in place on the windshield. The prop is made from a static resistant semi-pliable/semi-rigid memory resident rubber and/or plastic compound. The prop will keep the windshield from completely closing leaving a minimal gap between the chin guard or crown area and the windshield for ventilation and defogging purposes.

It is, therefore, an objective of the present invention to provide a universal full-face-type helmet windshield prop that prevents the windshield from closing completely which facilitates ventilation and defogging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a close up view of the invention (approximately 2× larger than the actual size);

FIG. 2 is an action view of a full-face-type helmet showing the windshield in both an open and closed position with the invention affixed to the bottom of the windshield;

FIG. 3 is an action view of a full-face-type helmet showing the windshield in both an open and closed position with the invention affixed to the top of the windshield.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 it can be seen that an embodiment of present invention consists of a top area whereby the two sides come together and touch but are not bonded together, like a closed U for example (1). The top area of the propis what affixes it to the full-face-type helmet windshield (1). The bottom of the prop consists of a piece parallel to the ground like the bottom of a U (2). The bottom of the prop is what keeps the full-face-type helmet windshield from completely closing leaving a minimal gap between the chin guard or crown area and the windshield for ventilation and defogging purposes (2).

Referring to FIG. 2 it can be seen that this embodiment of the present invention is usable on the bottom of the full-face-type helmet windshield. FIG. 2 shows the windshield in both open and closed position. (3) shows the prop affixed to the windshield with the windshield closed. Note the visible gap in the drawing of the windshield were closed (8). (4) shows the invention affixed to the windshield with the windshield open. (5) is the full-face-type helmet windshield. (7) is the chin guard of the full-face-type helmet.

Referring to FIG. 3 it can be seen that the prop is usable on the top of the full-face-type helmet windshield. FIG. 3 shows the windshield in both the open and closed position. (3) shows the prop affixed to the windshield with the windshield closed, note the visible gap in the drawing if the windshield were closed (8). (4) shows the prop affixed to the windshield with the windshield open. (5) is the full-face-type helmet windshield. (6) is the crown area of the full-face-type helmet.

In one embodiment, the prop is made from a static resistant semi-pliable/semi-rigid memory resident rubber and/or plastic compound. The rubber/plastic compound is injected into a template and allowed to cure accordingly. Once the rubber/plastic compound is cured it can be removed from the template and used on a full-face-type helmet windshield.

Use by sliding onto the bottom or top of the full-face-type helmet windshield.

Claims

1. A full-face-type biker helmet windshield prop in the form essentially of a saddle wherein said prop is positioned between a biker helmet windshield and a helmet proper to prevent said windshield from complete closure permitting ventilation and/or defogging.

2. The full-face-type helmet windshield prop of claim 1 made of a shatter resistant, static resistant, semi-pliable/semi-rigid memory resident rubber and/or plastic material or compound.

3. The full-face-type helmet windshield prop of claim 1 comprising of a top area whereby the two sides come together and touch but are not bonded together, like a closed U.

4. The full-face-type helmet windshield prop of claim 1 wherein said saddle-shaped prop is positioned such that the base of said saddle-shaped prop is oriented essentially horizontal, wherein said base of the prop keeps said full-face-type helmet windshield from completely closing thereby leaving a gap between the chin guard or crown area and said windshield for ventilation, defogging or both.