Helmet Cover

Abstract

A decorative removable cover is provided for fitting over a ski helmet with an opening in the rear for passage of a goggle strap. The cover includes a decorative band of faux fur that may be removable for replacement purposes. The cover is made of single ply stretchable material.

Description

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Provisional Patent Application 61/627,713 filed Oct. 17, 2011.

This invention relates to a decorative cover for a rigid sports helmet. More particularly, this invention relates to a removable decorative cover for a rigid sports helmet including a ski helmet, snowboard helmet, skateboard helmet, bicycle helmet and motorcycle helmet.

As is known, helmets have been provided with various types of decorative elements. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,122 describes a decorative removable helmet cover comprised of two liners with the outer liner having projecting inverted cones. Other decorative covers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,155,981; 6,061,836; and 6,256,799.

It is an object of this invention to provide a decorative cover particularly for ski helmets that is simple to manufacture and to use.

It is another object of the invention to provide a decorative cover for a rigid helmet that is aesthetically attractive.

It is another object of the invention to provide a way to easily identify and differentiate one helmet from another.

It is another object of the invention to provide extra warmth but still allow for breathability.

Briefly, the invention provides a cover for a rigid helmet comprised of a center panel of stretch fabric and a pair of side panels of stretch fabric that are secured to and along opposite sides of the central panel to define a shape for mounting on a rigid helmet.

In addition, an elastic band extends along an outer edge of each of the side panels and along a forward edge of the center panel and a rear edge of the center panel. This elastic band is sized to draw in the shape of the cover to a hemispherical shape when mounted about a rigid helmet and allows a user to readily slip the cover onto a rigid helmet and to remove the cover from a helmet when desired. At the same time, the elastic band holds the cover securely in place when mounted on a helmet.

The center panel is also provided with an opening in a rear portion thereof for passage of an eye glass (goggles) securing tab or strap of a ski helmet as well as a grommet or other fastener for the strap o he helmet.

The cover also has a decorative band secured to and around the center panel and pair of side panels. This decorative band may be removably mounted on the cover so that different decorative bands may be used with the cover from time to time. Alternatively, the decorative band may be stitched or otherwise secured to the cover. In addition there is an approximate ¾″ by 3″ Velcro hook and loop strip that attaches to the inside of the center front panel to secure the cover's position on the helmet.

The cover provides an aesthetic appearance to a rigid helmet, In the case of a ski helmet, the decorative band can provide a personalized appearance, particularly where a user is clothed in ski clothes and a helmet that mask the user's appearance.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a helmet cover according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a broken front view of the helmet cover of FIG. 1 on a ski helmet in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a view of a side panel for making the helmet cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of a center panel for making the helmet cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a broken rear view of the helmet cover on the ski helmet of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 illustrates a view of a decorative band to be secured to a helmet cover in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of a modified decorative band for use with the helmet cover.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the helmet cover 10 is fabricated with a center panel 11 of stretch fabric, e.g. made of spandex, having an opening 12 in a rear portion thereof; a pair of side panels 13 of similar stretch fabric secured to and along opposite sides of the central panel; and an elastic band 14 (not shown) that extends along an outer edge of each of the side panels 13 and along a forward edge of the center panel 11 and a rear edge of the center panel 11. The three plies are each made of single ply material.

The center panel 11 is initially of a rectangular shape, as indicated in FIG. 4, having dimensions of 21 inches by 4.25 inches while each side panel 13 is cut in the shape of a semi-circle, as indicated in FIG. 3, and having a width of 13.75 inches and 21 inches around the curved edge.

Each side panel 13 is secured to a side of the center panel 11 by sewing or otherwise so that two seams 15 are formed in the cover as indicated in FIG. 5, for example, by a zig-zag stitch along raw edges of the panels 11, 13.

After securing the panels 11, 13 together, the elastic band 14 (see FIG. 5) is secured in place, for example, by folding the outer edges of the panel 11, 13 over the band 14 to create a “tunnel” and stitching the folded over edges in place to contain the elastic band 14. The elastic band 14 is a ⅛ inch elastic band sewn together at the ends and sized so as to form the panels 11, 13 into a hemispherical shape for mounting on a rigid helmet when the band is in a relaxed state.

As indicated in FIG. 2, the cover 10 is sized to fit over a rigid ski helmet 16 or other like rigid helmet with a snug fit.

Typically, the size of the elastic band 14 is sufficient to fit within the inside of a helmet 16 so that the cover 10 is snugly held against the exterior surface of the helmet 16.

As indicated in FIG. 5, the center panel 11 has an opening 12, e.g. of 3 inch width, in a rear portion and a reinforced edge 17 that surrounds the opening 12. The reinforced edge 17 may be formed by a separate piece of material (not shown) that is sewn into the underside of the center panel 11 and that has a slit corresponding to the opening 15 in the center panel 11.

As indicated in FIG. 1, when mounted on the helmet 16, the opening 12 in the rear of the cover 10 allows passage of an eye glass (goggles) securing tab or strap 18 on the helmet 16 for holding of goggles (not shown) thereon. In this regard, the helmet 16 has a grommet (not shown) for receiving a button 19 on the securing tab 18 in mating relation upon pressing of the button 19 against the material of the cover 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the cover 10 also has a decorative band 20 secured about the lower edge, i.e. to and around the center panel 11 and side panels 13, to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance, for example, being made of faux fur or the like. The band 20 may be stitched to the fabric of the cover 10 in a permanent manner or may be removably mounted on the cover 10, such as by the known hook and loop fastening device so that the aesthetic appearance of the cover can be changed from time-to-time.

Referring to FIG. 7, the decorative band 20 may be a knitted band that is secured to the cover.

The panels 11, 13 of the cover 10 may be of the same color or of disparate colors from each other. In addition, the panels 11, 13 may have a variegated color design and/or an embroidered design with sequins and the like sewn in place.

Alternatively, the elastic band 14 may be extended outwardly of the rear edge of the center panel 11 and provided with a clip that is slidably mounted on the elastic band 14 for adjusting the length of the elastic band 14 extending from the center panel 11 whereby the cover 10 can be adjustably tightened relative to the helmet 16.

In use the cover 10 is manually slipped over the helmet 16 while allowing the goggle strap 18 to pass through the opening 12 in the rear of the center panel 11. The free end of the goggle strap 18 may then be secured to the helmet 16 by pressing the button 19 on the securing tab 18 against the material of the cover 10 and onto the grommet (not shown) on the helmet 16. After pulling the sides of the cover 10 over the helmet 16, the cover 10 may be loosened or tightened by sliding the clip 21 forwardly or rearwardly to adjust the length of the elastic band 14 extending from the center panel 11.

The invention thus provides a decorative cover that is of simple construction and that can be easily slipped onto or off a ski helmet and like helmets to individualize the helmet to the user. The cover is particularly adaptable to ski helmets that are provided with a goggle strap and grommet arrangement.

The invention further provides a decorative cover for a ski helmet that has a removable band of decorative material, such as faux fur, that can be removed and replaced by other aesthetically pleasing decorative bands

Claims

1. A cover for a rigid helmet comprising

a center panel of stretch fabric having an opening in a rear portion thereof;

a pair of side panels of stretch fabric secured to and along opposite sides of said central panel; and

an elastic band extending along an outer edge of each of said pair of side panels and along a forward edge of said center panel and a rear edge of said center panel.

2. A cover as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a decorative band secured to and around said center panel and said pair of side panels.

3. A cover as set forth in claim 2 wherein said decorative band is removably mounted on said center panel and said pair of side panels.

4. A cover as set forth in claim 2 wherein said decorative band is stitched to said center panel and said pair of side panels.

5. A cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said center panel and said pair of side panels define a hemispherical shape for mounting on a rigid helmet.

6. A cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said center panel has a reinforced edge surrounding said opening therein.

7. A cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elastic band extends outwardly of said rear edge of said center panel and which further comprises a clip slidably mounted on said elastic band for adjusting the length of said elastic band extending from said center panel whereby the cover is adjustably tightened relative to a helmet.

8. In combination,

a rigid helmet having a goggle strap secured thereon and a fastener secured thereon to receive an end of said strap in locking relation, and

a cover removably mounted on said helmet, said cover having an opening in a rear portion thereof with said strap and said fastener extending therethrough; and

a decorative band secured to and around said center panel and said pair of side panels.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said cover further comprises a center panel of stretch fabric having said opening in a rear portion thereof; a pair of side panels of stretch fabric secured to and along opposite sides of said central panel; and an elastic band extending along an outer edge of each of said pair of side panels and along a forward edge of said center panel and a rear edge of said center panel.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said decorative band is removably mounted on said center panel and said pair of side panels.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 9 said elastic band extends outwardly of said rear edge of said center panel and which further comprises a clip slidably mounted on said elastic band for adjusting the length of said elastic band extending from said center panel whereby said cover is adjustably tightened relative to said helmet.