Retrofit Sliding Helmet Visor

Abstract

A horizontally extendable retrofit assembly for a helmet visor that extends for protection of the wearer's the face. A retrofit visor attachment for a helmet visor includes a flexible polymer visor shaped to connect to existing fixed helmet visors commonly found on motocross helmets. Such an add-on will fit a multitude of helmet configurations. The retrofit includes a visor and a stowage mechanism for enabling the visor to extend and retract underneath the preexisting fixed visor. When in the usage position, the retrofit visor increases the horizontal surface area of visor-retrofit combination so that the amount of protection provided by the fixed visor is substantially increased. Thus, so is the amount of protection to the exposed portions of a wearer's face.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:

U.S. Patents

Pat. No.	Kind Code	Issue Date	Patentee
4,475,254	A	Oct. 9, 1984	Bay
4,581,776	A	Apr. 15, 1986	Kie
5,105,475	A	Apr. 21, 1991	Lynd et al.
5,208,916	A	May 11, 1993	Kelman
5,477,566	A	Dec. 26, 1995	Massman
5,647,066	A	Jul. 15, 1997	Joslin et al.
8,250,669	B2	Aug. 28, 2012	Gafforio et al.
8,358,254	B2	Jan. 22, 2013	Baudou

U.S. Patent Application Publications

	Publication Number	Kind Code	Publ. Date	Applicant
	None found

Foreign Patent Document

IT 1.177.250 by Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft (BMW)

ER-A-1 393 642 by the applicant Osbe Srl

Nonpatent Literature Documents

None found

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT AND TRADE DRESS

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and trade dress rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to retrofit visors providing protection to the user from the sun and ancillary impact with foreign objects for helmets such as motorcycle helmets, sports helmets, safety helmets, crash helmets and face protectors with small existing visors included thereon.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

In the past, a variety of different helmets with visors for the protection of motorcyclists and others wearing them have been provided. Typically, this type of helmet has a plastic visor located around the forehead to protect the face of the user,

In recent years, it has been common for some riders to provide their shields having snaps with a small visor to shade the user's eyes and sometimes the visors are removably attached to the helmet shield. In the case of helmets having snap portions located above the user's eyes for attaching a transparent shield, it has been suggested to use an additional snap portion on the shield to accept a rigid polymer visor. However, a great many helmet or retrofit assemblies lack the ability to fully protect the eyes and face of the user while leaving the riders and nose exposed to the air. This inadequate coverage on most helmets today has not been solved because there is no way proposed to add a visor extension to a helmet that has not yet made provision for one. Such a retrofit poses an additional challenge caused by the difficult stresses that the visor must endure, such as wind, dust and debris,

Prior art devices of this type have relied on a variety of different face shield configurations that are positioned on safety helmets for motorcycles and the like, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,105,475, 5,208,916 and 5,365,651. However, all of the aforementioned rely on retrofitting the helmet to completely cover the wearer's face. This has several deleterious consequence originating from the lack of air on and around the face and the tremendous amounts of heat generated by those engaged in motorcycle riding activities.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,475, a head gear with eye glass is disclosed wherein the head gear is provided with a head element adapted to be worn by a person which includes an eye shield carried by the head element which can be movably positioned with respect to the head element in either shielding or covering position relative to the wearers eyes or in a stored position. The device is pivotally secured to a portion of the head gear so that it can be moved away from the wearer's eyes as noted.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,916 a sunglass assembly for visored head gear is disclosed in which the head gear includes a mounting device on which can be positioned a lens in front of the wearer's eyes extending from the brim portion of a cap. The device is designed to clip over the brim portion and have a movable adjustable mounting fixture for the transparent plastic or glass.

Finally, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,615 discloses a head gear face shield with non-invasive universal mounting in which a plastic face shield is illustrated being removably positioned by mechanical fasteners about a portion of the head gear so as to extend over the person's face in spaced relation thereto.

Furthermore, it is known in the art to provide protective helmets for motorcyclists with an additional visor for partly shielding the sun's rays which overlaps, in part, the visor, usually transparent, intercepting the viewing aperture of the helmet,

Actuation of said additional visor is mechanically separate from actuation of the interception visor and must allow the user to engage or disengage said additional visor with or from the field of vision of said user, separately from the position taken by the transparent visor.

The Italian patent IT 1.177.250 by the applicant Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft (BMW) describes a similar protective helmet for motorcyclists, in which the additional visor for partly shielding the sun's rays is mounted, with at least a degree of freedom, on the cap of the helmet so that it is in an internal position with respect to the transparent visor. The particular constraint of said additional visor inside the cap allows said additional visor to move between a position partly intercepting the viewing aperture of the helmet and a position disengaged therefrom, wherein said additional visor is housed inside a seat specifically provided in said cap.

The internal configuration of the addition visor with respect to the transparent visor allows greater protection thereof against st external agents and also prevents the additional visor from being accidentally actuated by the user. In this way, the additional inner visor does not obstruct the aerodynamic function of the outer visor and, if said inner visor is of the type for partly shielding the sun's rays, it acts only as an anti-dazzle visor, without necessarily having to protect the user from other external agents.

The European patent application EP-A-1 393 642 by the applicant Osbe Srl relates to a protective helmet comprising an addition visor for partly shielding the sun's rays, positioned internally with respect to the transparent visor. This additional visor described in the Osbe application is hinged at the side to the cap and is provided with a kinematic actuation mechanism comprising a tie constrained in rotation to one end of the inner visor and constrained, at the other end thereof, to a manual control, positioned on the outside of the cap of the helmet.

In the Kie patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,776, a visor is disclosed that slides vertically on tracks attached at each earguard of the helmet. The visor can be moved only in the vertical plane. A set of tracks is installed surrounding the wearer's earguards. When the visor is being raised, it moves along these tracks to reach the up position. When the visor is in the up position, the wearer's facial area and the visor are exposed to the elements. Also, because the tracks disclosed surround the ear n semi-circular manner, the visor may only move along the tracks up or down in the vertical plane. No lateral movement can be achieved.

There exists the need for a universal retrofit visor which can be attached to the existing visor of a helmet, at the option of the helmet owner, without damaging the helmet. Moreover, the prior art does not provide for such a retrofit which may be attached with sufficient strength and with sufficient flex to remain in place when exposed to strong wind, weather, or other natural elements affecting riders in harsh conditions.

SUMMARY

Herein is disclosed a horizontally extendable retrofit assembly for a helmet visor that extends for protection of the wearer's the face. A retrofit visor attachment for a preexisting helmet visor includes a flexible polymer visor shaped to connect to existing fixed helmet visors commonly found on motocross helmets. Such an add-on will fit a multitude of helmet configurations. The retrofit includes a visor and a stowage mechanism for enabling the visor to extend and retract underneath the preexisting fixed visor. Several techniques are provided for attaching the retrofit visor portion to the fixed visor, included with the helmet in a manner to support the visor even under great stress. When in the usage position, the retrofit visor increases the horizontal surface area of visor-retrofit combination so that the amount of protection provided by the fixed visor is substantially increased, Thus, so is the amount of protection to the exposed portions of a wearer's face.

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a universal retrofit visor which can be attached to the existing visor of a helmet such as those worn by motocross riders. This horizontally adjustable retrofit visor may be comprised of a flexible polymer shaped to be attached to the preexisting helmet's short visor. The retrofit visor assembly comprises a visor bill portion and a support portion for supporting the retrofit to the existing visor portion. The retrofit support portion has an arcuate support portion shaped to follow the contour of the existing visor when flexed thereabout and to flex with the attachment of the retrofit to the existing short helmet visor.

Means are provided for removably securing the retrofit visor portion to a preexisting short helmet visor in a manner which will allow it to be extended and retracted horizontally. Such means include, but are not limited to, special rails for grasping the edge of the retrofit visor when installed onto a preexisting helmet visor. The rails may be adapted to be releasably coupled to grooves or teeth protruding from the sides of the retrofit visor.

In one embodiment, the retrofit visor may be provided with a plurality of toothed notches to better facilitate positioning the retrofit along the horizontal axis of the existing helmet visor. The notches work in conjunction with the special rails to make sure that the retrofit is held securely in whatever position, whether fully extended, in the stowage position, to anywhere in between with sufficient strength and flex to prevent the visor from snapping loose under strong wind or weather elements.

A unique feature of horizontally moving visors is that any visor not in use will be protected underneath the preexisting helmet visor, thereby preventing scratching, denting, and warping thereby increasing the life of the visors. Because the visor not in use has been moved underneath the preexisting helmet visor in the stowage position, the hard shell casing acts as a shield to protect the visor.

In one embodiment of the present invention, tabs are added to the leading edge of the retrofit visor to assist in the movement of the visors from the stowage position to the usage position. In one preferred embodiment, a tab may be located in the upper corner portions of the leading edge of the visors. By placing tabs on the leading corner portions of the retrofit visor, the wearer of the helmet can extend and retract the visor even while wearing gloves without obstructing his or her field of vision with theft hand or arm. This positioning of the tabs allows them to be gripped together or individually allowing the retrofit visor to be moved easily even with one hand.

A one-piece adjustable safety visor for motorcycle helmets and the like that provides for a versatile self-contained face shield protection is provided. This visor is removably retrofit to the helmet of choice by a unique combination of groves on the visor assembly and rails secured to the preexisting helmet visor above and about the face opening of the helmet.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a retrofit helmet visor that can be adjusted to the users desire for increased protection from the elements while preventing premature deterioration of the inner visor and is also simple to install in any helmet with a preexisting visor.

Embodiments of the invention will appear evident as the description proceeds. To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

Figures

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retrofit sliding helmet visor with the visor in the usage position according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a retrofit sliding helmet visor according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a first profile view of a retrofit sliding helmet visor according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a retrofit sliding helmet visor according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a retrofit sliding helmet visor according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a retrofit sliding helmet visor with the visor in the stowage position; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a retrofit sliding helmet visor without toothed notches.

In the following, reference is made to embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to specific described embodiments. Instead, any combination of the following features and elements, whether related to different embodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practice the invention. Furthermore, in various embodiments the invention provides numerous advantages over the prior art. However, although embodiments of the invention may achieve advantages over other possible solutions and/or over the prior art, whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment is not limiting of the invention. Thus, the following aspects, features, embodiments and advantages are merely illustrative and are not considered elements or limitations of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s). Likewise, reference to “the invention” shall not be construed as a generalization of any inventive subject matter disclosed herein and shall not be considered to be an element or limitation of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s).

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements or signals, electrically, mechanically or otherwise. Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled, but not mechanically or otherwise coupled; two or more mechanical elements may be mechanically coupled, but not electrically or otherwise coupled; two or more electrical elements may be mechanically coupled, but not electrically or otherwise coupled. Coupling (whether mechanical, electrical, or otherwise) may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a retrofit sliding helmet visor which, when installed, will horizontally extend to substantially increase the amount coverage to the exposed areas of a wearer's face. Shaped to connect to existing fixed helmet visors commonly found on motocross helmets, such an add-on will fit a multitude of helmet configurations.

FIG. 1 illustrates a protective helmet 10 having a hard casing 12 designed to wrap around and protect a human head. An face opening 14 is shown exposing the area around a wearer's eyes while worn, thereby protecting the nose and mouth, forehead, back, and side areas of the head. A preexisting visor 16 is show attached to the helmet 10. An air vent 11 is shown installed in a chin protector region to allow air exchange between inside and outside the helmet 10. The preexisting visor 16 is located on the forehead region of the helmet 10 and is held in place by a fastening means 18 such as a screw, pin, or bolt around the temple region of the helmet 10. The leading edge 22 of a first retrofit visor 20, preferably opaque, can be seen extending from underneath the preexisting visor 16. When the retrofit visor 20 is extended, as illustrated in this figure, it 20 substantially increases the amount of protection to the exposed parts of the wearer's face. In the preferred embodiment, the retrofit visor 20 is made of a flexible plastic material. This flexible material allows the retrofit visor 20 to bend when inserted into the preexisting visor 16 to conform to its shape.

At least one tab 24 protrudes from a corner of the leading edge of the retrofit visor 20 to assist in moving the visor 20 from a stowage position underneath the preexisting visor 16 to a usage position shielding the face opening 14, protecting the eyes, nose and mouth area of the face. When retracted, the visor is protected from any normal hazard such as scratching or road grime. Tab 24 also acts as a stop guide to prevent the retrofit visor 20 from being pushed too far underneath the preexisting visor 16.

In one embodiment of the retrofit visor 20, the left and right side edges are provided with a plurality of toothed notches 26. These notches may assist the user to more easily adjust the exact length he/she wants the visor extended. Furthermore, the notches 26 help hold the retrofit visor 20 securely in place when the helmet 10 is being worn by a wearer on a motorbike and it 20 is moving through the air at a rapid pace. During operation of the retrofit visor 20, the helmet wearer grips a tab 24 and moves the retrofit visor 20 either out of or back into the hard casing of the preexisting visor 16 of the helmet 10. This prevents exposure of the wearer's facial area by elongating the horizontal coverage area provided by the preexisting visor 16.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a retrofit sliding visor helmet attachment 20 according to the present invention. This angle illustrates the arcuate nature of the invention when installed onto the preexisting helmet visor 16, The retrofit visor 20 need not be sold as an arcuate piece. However, it may be formed of a polymer material that makes it sufficiently flexible to conform to different shapes of preexisting helmet visors 16 such as the one illustrated here.

FIG. 3 is a profile view of a retrofit sliding visor helmet attachment 20 according to the present invention. This angle illustrates the substantial increase in protection provided by the retrofit 20 to the face opening 14 and the exposed areas of the rider's face. This substantial increase can be critical to ensuring a motorcycle ride's safety. As in motocross and other high speed activities requiring the use of a helmet, those who participate in these activities rely on their sight to navigate treacherous environments. When, in the past, they had been let down by the lack of protection provided by the preexisting helmet visors 16, the retrofit sliding attachment 20 remedies this problem.

FIG. 4 is a top-down view of a retrofit sliding visor helmet attachment which illustrates how at least one tab 24 protrudes from a corner of the leading edge of the retrofit visor 20 to assist in moving the visor 20 from a stowage position underneath the preexisting visor 16 to a usage position. In one embodiment, the tab 24 also acts as a stop guide to prevent the retrofit visor 20 from being pushed too far underneath the preexisting visor 16. During operation of the retrofit visor 20, the helmet wearer grips a tab 24 and moves the retrofit visor 20 either out of or back into the hard casing of the preexisting visor 16 of the helmet 10. This prevents exposure of the wearer's facial area elongating the horizontal coverage area provided by the preexisting visor 16. A second tab 28 may also be used for added convenience such as for rider's who prefer to use a different hand to engage the retrofit visor 20 while on the move.

FIG. 5 is a bottom-up view of a retrofit sliding helmet visor 20 according to the present invention. FIG. 5 illustrates how, in one embodiment, the retrofit visor 20 is mounted between two guides a right guide 52 and a left guide 54. The guides, 52 and 54, may be implemented in a number of embodiments. In the preferred method, the guides, 52 and 54, are comprised of a flexible plastic material and extend in parallel configuration adjacent to the edge of the preexisting visor 16 furthest away from the facial opening (not shown). In one embodiment of the guides, 52 and 54, there are U-shaped grooves which extend the entire length of their respective guides 52 and 54 and are configured so as to face each other when install on the preexisting visor 16. In one embodiment of the retrofit visor 20 it has a plurality of toothed notches 26, the toothed notches 26 fit inside the grooves within the right guide 52 and the left guide 54. In one preferred embodiment, the guides, 52 and 54, are attached to the preexisting visor 16 by using a high strength adhesive such as glue. In another embodiment, the guides, 52 and 54, may be attached by placing VELCRO fastener strips along the guides, 52 and 54, and corresponding VELCRO of the preexisting visor 16. However, any method of attachment of the guides, 52 and 54, can be used without changing the spirit of the invention. The main requirement is to hold the retrofit visor 20 securely in place, and allows horizontal motion.

In the embodiment of the invention where the retrofit visor 20 comprises a plurality of toothed notches 26, the visor 20 may be releasably coupled to the guides, 52 and 54, by guides selected to grasp at any one of the notches 26 to secure the visor 20 at that position. In one embodiment, the guides, 52 and 54, are provided with a tab which may be depressed by a user to release a toothed notch 26 from the grasp of either guide, 52 or 54. Tabs may be spring loaded to a locked position where it securely grasps the retrofit visor 20 at any one of the locations of notches 26.

Moreover, although the guides 52 and 54 are depicted as located in one particular position and are of one particular length. However, this is exemplary and not intended on being limiting on the scope of the invention. Applicant contemplates the possibility that the guides may me longer or shorter and utilize a variety of means for holding the retrofit visor 20 securely in place. These changes may be made without depart from the scope of the invention so long as they keep the retrofit visor 20 securely in place while a rider in engaged in motorcycle riding activity or any other activity a wearer of the helmet 10 comprising the retrofit visor 20 may engage in.

The right guide 52 and left guide 54 allow removal of the entire retrofit visor cartridge 20 from the preexisting visor 16. Once the retrofit visor 20 has been removed replacement visors can then be inserted by placing a new visor between the guides, 52 and 54, then moving the visor forward along the guides until the visor is contained underneath the preexisting visor 16 (it is also foreseeable that, in one embodiment, the retrofit visor 20 may fit above the preexisting visor 16). This allows simple replacement of the visors, when they become scratched or soiled.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view depicting the retrofit sliding helmet visor with the retrofit visor 20 in the stowage position underneath the preexisting visor 16. As is evident from this figure, at least one tab 24 protrudes from a corner of the leading edge of the retrofit visor 20 to assist in moving the visor 20 from a stowage position underneath the preexisting visor 16 to a usage position shielding the face opening 14, protecting the eyes, nose and mouth area of the face. Finally, FIG. 7 is exemplary of perspective view of a retrofit sliding helmet visor 30 without toothed notches.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, retrofit helmet visor may be illustrated as in a motocross helmet embodiment even though the inventor contemplates the possibility that the apparatus may be modified to suit a variety of different helmets all the while comprising the properties of the invention. Accordingly, is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

The teachings provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described herein. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the retrofit visor with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be constructed to limit the retrofit visor to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above description section explicitly define such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosed retrofit visor. The above description of embodiments of the retrofit visor is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed above or to a particular field of usage. While specific embodiments of a retrofit visor are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible which those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.

While certain aspects of the retrofit visor are presented below in particular claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the retrofit visor in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the retrofit visor.

Claims

1. A retrofit visor assembly for a helmet with a preexisting visor comprising in combination:

an existing helmet visor;

a retrofit visor made of a flexible polymer shaped to be attached to two edge portions of said existing helmet visor;

said retrofit visor having a bill portion and a grooved portion comprising a plurality of grooves; and

a means for attaching said retrofit visor grooved portion to said existing helmet visor including at least two rails for releasably coupling at least one of a plurality of said groves at a time when said retrofit visor is flexed to follow the arcuate contour of said existing visor thereby converting said existing visor to a existing/retrofit visor combination.

2. A helmet comprising:

a curved solid protective member shaped to cover portions of a human head, wherein said protective member has a top portion, forehead portion side portions, a back portion, chin portion an interior, an exterior, and a facial opening;

a preexisting visor having a front, back, right, and left side affixed to the forehead portion of the protective member;

at least two side guides horizontally affixed to the preexisting visor one along said right side and one along said left side;

a retrofit visor engaged in said guides so as to be horizontally moveable along said guides forward and backward between usage and stowage positions, wherein said retrofit visor extends the area covered by said preexisting visor over said facial opening when horizontally moved to said usage position.

2. The helmet according to claim 2 wherein the side guide extends within the underside of said preexisting visor.

3. The helmet according to claim 2 wherein the side guide extends within the topside of said preexisting visor.

5. A protective head covering comprising:

a preexisting visor, a hard shell casing covering the sides, back, chin and crown of the human head, leaving the facial area exposed;

a pair of grasping means therein hand extending completely along the interior of the preexisting visor, said guides being attached to the preexisting visor substantially parallel to each other and proximate to the left and right of the facial area; and

at least one opaque retrofit visor, wherein said retrofit visor slides within the grasping means to allow bi-directional horizontal movement of said retrofit visor along the guides in the preexisting visor.

6. The helmet according to claim 5 wherein the side guide extends within the underside of said preexisting visor.

7. The helmet according to claim 5 wherein the side guide extends within the topside of said preexisting visor.