UNIVERSAL CHIN GUARD ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A chin guard assembly has a shell having at least one first slot formed therethrough adjacent one end of the shell and at least one second slot formed therein adjacent a second end of the shell, a first strap extending through the first slot and having an end defining a first loop extending outwardly of the shell, a second strap extending through the second slot and having an end defining a loop extending outwardly of the shell, a first ring received by the first loop, and a second ring received by the second loop. A third strap can have an end affixed to the first ring and a fourth strap has an end affixed to the second ring.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/587,630, filed on May 5, 2017, and entitled “Adapter for Attaching a Chin Strap to a Helmet and Assembly Including the Same”, presently pending. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/587,630 claimed priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/398,921, filed on Sep. 23, 2016 and entitled “Universal Chin Guard and Strap Assembly and Adapter for Use Therewith”.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIALS SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to chin guards for use with helmets. More particularly, the present invention relates to straps for securing chin guards. The present invention also relates to a chin guard assembly that is adaptable for use with a variety of helmets and a variety of chin guard connectors on such helmets.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98

Protective helmets to minimize head injuries have been known and used for many years. For example, football helmet shells have been produced from injection molded ABS, or polycarbonate plastic. Helmets intended for youth usage have usually been produced from ABS plastic, and helmets for adult usage have usually been produced from polycarbonate plastic. ABS plastic is significantly less expensive than polycarbonate, but ABS plastic is not as structurally rigid as polycarbonate. As the level of intensity of contact in youth football is significantly lower than that as the adult level, ABS has been accepted as a satisfactory material for use at the youth level. For adult helmets, however, the structural rigidity of the polycarbonate material is essential to minimize the flex and deformation of the shell under extreme impact conditions. The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) has been responsible for setting minimum performance criteria for football helmets. Through the continuous testing of NOCSAE, it has been established that the rigidity of polycarbonate shells, in comparison to ABS shells, leads to significantly lower IS results. From these tests, it is believed that there is a correlation between the rigidity of the shell material and improved safety performance.

Protection is also improved by the addition of a face mask attached to the helmet. For example, football helmets are usually equipped over the exposed face area with a vinyl coated wire or other metal structure, or an injection molded plastic face mask. The obvious purpose of the face mask is to protect the face of the player from injury, while not obstructing the player's vision unnecessarily. The addition of a face mask can also increase the rigidity of the shell which improves performance. Face masks have been mounted to the exterior surface of the helmet shell behind the front edge of the helmet face opening. Helmet shells are specifically designated with smooth spherical surfaces to allow the shells to glance and slide on impact.

Protective helmets usually include a chin strap to retain the helmet, particularly during impact. In the past, chin straps were frequently constructed using a molded plastic cup made of compression or injection-molded plastic material. A pad, usually of a felt or foam material, was bonded or otherwise attached to the plastic cup. This cup construction is preferable to non-padded chin straps which have been standard equipment on football helmets. Non-padded chin straps do not offer any impact protection to the chin area and only serve to secure the helmet to the player's head. Padded chin cups provide an added measure of protection to the chin from impacts, in addition to securing the helmet to the player's head. Improvement in the impact absorption performance of padded chin straps is desirable. Most molded plastic chin cups currently used are molded in a manner which allows the formed cup to flex to a degree upon impact. An improved construction is a rigid material which does not flex on impact to an undesirable degree, thus distributing the impact force over a larger area of the chin.

One of the problems with existing chin guard assemblies is the relationship between the strap and the chin guard. Certain chin guards have adjustable straps whereby the position of the strap relative to the chin guard can be directly adjusted at the chin guard. Unfortunately, during the strong impacts of football play, the chin guard can slip and move relative to the strap. As a result, the chin guard will be in an undesirable and unsafe location. As such, a need has developed so as to provide a chin guard whereby the strap is positioned in a fixed relationship relative to chin guard. The strap should be suitably affixed in a safe and convenient manner.

In the past, various patents have issued relating to adjustable chin guard assemblies. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,368, issued on Mar. 3, 1987 to Infusino et al, shows an adjustable chin strap assembly that has a flexible piece of material which forms a chin cup, a pair of support straps slideably attached to the chin cup, two adjustment pieces through the support straps slideably intersect, and a set of four slidable snaps which releasably fasten the support straps to an athletic helmet. The attitude of the flexible chin cup can be adjusted by sliding the adjustment piece along the lengths of the support straps to each side of the chin cup thereby allowing for maximum user comfort.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,274 issued on Aug. 18, 1998 to N. Kraemer, teaches a chin protector for a helmet. This chin protector has an inner member and an outer member. A suspension arrangement is provided for at least partially suspending a portion of the outer member in spaced relationship to a central portion of an inner member. This forms a gap between the inner and outer members.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,932 issued on Jul. 4, 2000 to N. Kraemer, describes a chin strap assembly for use with an athletic helmet. This chin strap assembly has a chin cup member having a flexible strap on each side of the chin cup member. A flexible strap passes through a plurality of slots formed in the chin cup member. In particular, this strap is threaded through the slots of the cup and is adjustably maintained relative to the cup.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,024, issued on Nov. 19, 2002 to S. P. Grant, shows a protective chin strap device for securing a helmet to a wearer's head. The chin strap includes a hard outer shell, an inner member made of a self-supporting, cushioned material, and straps attached to the outer shell for securing the chin strap to a helmet. The inner member is secured with respect to the outer shell so as to contact the outer shell adjacent to wearer's chin.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,735,160 issued on Jun. 15, 2010, to the present inventor, provides a chin guard apparatus that has a shell with a cup suitable for fitting upon a human chin, a resilient layer received within the cup of the shell and having a periphery overlying the outer peripheral edge of the shell, a first strap affixed to one side of the shell and extending outwardly therefrom, and a second strap affixed to an opposite side of the shell and extending outwardly therefrom. A bladder is affixed to a surface of the resilient layer opposite the shell.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,886,370, issued on Feb. 15, 2011 to M. M. Winningham, provides a protective chin pad assembly that has an outer shell of a plastic material and straps attached thereto. An inner cushion member is attached to the shell independently of the straps. The shell has an outer surface and an inner surface providing a pocket with a pair of openings formed in the shell between the inner and outer surfaces. The inner cushion member is received in the pocket of the shell. An attachment mechanism has a pair of elongate members extending from an outer surface of the cushion member. Each of the elongate members is received through a separate one of the openings in the shell and coupled outwardly from the outer surface of the shell to releasably attach the cushion member to the shell independently of the straps.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,921,475, issued on Apr. 12, 2011 to Nascimento et al, discloses an impact-attenuating chin protector. The chin protector has a hard outer shell and a narrowed central area. An inner foam member is affixed to the shell. The foam member includes a series of alternating foam columns and recesses with perforations at controlled locations. The inner surface of the foam member is configured so that almost the entire interior surface contacts the wearer's chin. The columns and recesses are configured so that the recesses are located around two pressure points on the chin.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,006,322, issued on Aug. 30, 2011 to the present inventor, teaches a chin guard that has a shell with a cup suitable for fitting upon a human chin and a resilient layer received within the cup of the shell. The resilient layer has a periphery overlying the outer peripheral edge of the shell. The resilient layer has a support layer in surface-to-surface contact with the surface of the shell. A plurality of padded sections are integrally formed with the support layer.

U.S. Design Pat. No. D606,707, issued on Dec. 22, 2009 to the present inventor, shows a chin guard design in which a foam resilient layer has a plurality of bumps formed on the surface thereof

FIG. 1 shows an example of a chin guard 10 generally as shown in several previous patents to the present inventor. The chin guard 10 includes a cup 12 with a resilient layer 14 positioned therein. Top straps 16 and 18 extend outwardly from the chin guard 10 and are affixed to, preferably, snap post hookups adjacent the temple on the helmet of the wearer. Bottom straps 20 and 22 extend outwardly from the chin guard 10 and are affixed to attachments on the helmet adjacent the jaw or chin of the wearer. In chin guards produced by the present inventor, typically the straps 16 and 20 are a single strap which is threaded through the cup 12 of the chin guard 10. Similarly, straps 18 and 22 are a single strap. This arrangement prevents slippage of the straps and unnecessary adjustments so as to secure the helmet and chin guard to the wearer's head.

Chin guards produced by the present inventor are preferred by many athletes. It is believed that the present inventor supplies many chin guards used by players in the National Football League, for example.

Certain football helmets on the market today include a recess or opening formed on a surface thereof. This recess is intended to receive various appliances therein. One type of appliance has been utilized in such a recess has been a ratchet mechanism. This item is referred to as a “ratchet hook-up” and can be used with chin straps so as to fix a position of the chin strap relative to the helmet. The ratchet mechanism is removably received within this recess in the helmet in a lower position adjacent to the jaw of the wearer. Unfortunately, this ratchet mechanism and ratchet-type chin strap have proven to be problematic during use. For example, the ratchet mechanism may attach the chin guard too tightly or too loose to the chin of the wearer. This can be uncomfortable, distracting and potentially dangerous. In other circumstances, a tight chin strap can become dislodged during play and can be lodged over the chin or neck of the wearer. It can become very difficult to move or detach the chin guard from the neck back on to the chin. In certain circumstances, the tight strap could possible a choke the wearer. As such, need has developed so as to avoid or to improve the use of such a ratchet mechanism on football helmets.

In the past, one approach that has been taken is to replace this ratchet mechanism is by drilling holes through the helmet to receive the male threaded screw of a traditional snap post. This is a poor solution because additional holes in a helmet can compromise the integrity of the structure. Additionally, the removal of the ratchet mechanism creates an unsightly gap or irregularity on the surface of the helmet.

Another type of helmet currently on the market includes an internal strapping mechanism within the helmet. This type of helmet is sold by Xenith. The Xenith helmet has a chin guard assembly that is connected to the internal strapping of the helmet. Unfortunately, many football players did not like the chin guard assembly that is provided with the Xenith helmet. As such, they often desire to have a different chin guard that can be connected to the internal strapping of the Xenith helmet.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a chin guard assembly that allows the chin guard to be affixed to a helmet.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a chin guard assembly that is adaptable for use with the connection mechanisms of various helmets.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a chin guard assembly which can be easily secured to a variety of existing helmets without the need for special tools.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a chin guard assembly that is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture.

It is another further object of the present invention to provide a chin guard assembly that enhances the strength of the connection between the chin guard and the helmet.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a chin guard assembly which aesthetically enhances the appearance of the chin guard assembly and the helmet.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a chin guard assembly that comprises a shell having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end and a second end. The shell has a first slot formed therethrough adjacent to the first end. The shell has a second slot formed therethrough adjacent the second end. A first strap extends through the first slot and has a first end extending outwardly of the shell. The first strap has a second end defining a first loop extending outwardly of the shell. A second strap extends through the second slot. The second strap has a first end extending outwardly of the shell and a second end defining a second loop extending outwardly of the shell. A first ring is received by the first loop. A second ring is received by the second loop.

A first fastener is affixed adjacent to the second end of the first strap and to the shell so as to fix the first loop to the shell. A second fastener is affixed adjacent to the second end of the second strap and to the shell so as to fix the second loop to the shell. A resilient layer is affixed against the inner surface of the shell. The first strap has a portion interposed between the resilient layer and the shell. The second strap has a portion interposed between the resilient layer and the shell. The first loop extends through an interior of the first ring. The second loop extends through an interior of the second ring.

A third strap has a first end affixed to the first ring and extends outwardly therefrom. A fourth strap has a first end affixed to the second ring and extends outwardly therefrom. The first end of the third strap defines a looped portion received in the first ring. The first end of the fourth strap defines a looped portion received in the second ring. The looped portions of the third and fourth straps are secured by fasteners to the respective straps. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the fasteners is removable. The third strap has a snap affixed thereto adjacent the second end of the strap. The fourth strap has another snap affixed thereto adjacent a second end of the fourth strap. The third strap is affixed to a first buckle. The first buckle has the second end of the third strap threaded therethrough. The fourth strap is affixed to a second buckle. The second buckle has the second end of the fourth strap threaded therethrough.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a first adapter has a snap post thereon. The first adapter is adapted to be removably affixed to a helmet. The snap post of the first adapter removably receives the buckle of the third strap thereon. A second adapter also has a snap post thereon. The second adapter is adapted to be affixed to an opposite side of the helmet. The snap post of the second adapter removably receives the buckle of the fourth strap thereon. A helmet has the first and second adapters affixed on opposite sides thereof.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a first ratchet strap has one end affixed to the first ring. A second ratchet strap has one end affixed to the second ring. In each of the embodiments, the first strap in the second strap are single straps.

The foregoing Section is intended to describe, with particularity, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It is understood that modifications to these preferred embodiments can be made within the scope of the present claims. As such, this Section should not be construed, in any way, as limiting of the broad scope of the present invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the chin guard assembly of the prior art and, in particular, by the patents of the present inventor.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view showing the chin guard assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the chin guard assembly of the present invention and, in particular, the loops formed for securing the rings to the chin guard assembly.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a ring that secures the chin strap to the chin guard.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the fastener that secures a looped portion of the chin strap to the ring of the chin guard.

FIG. 6 is a frontal view of an alternative embodiment of the chin guard assembly of the present invention and, in particular, for use with a ratchet strap.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the adapter as used with a helmet in an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the adapter as used with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the adapter of the present invention as positioned within a recess of a helmet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 2, there shown the chin strap and chin guard assembly 50 in accordance with a preferred embodiment the present invention. The chin guard assembly 50 contains the shell 12 and the resilient layer 14 of the traditional chin guard 10 (as shown by the prior art of FIG. 1). First strap 16 and second strap 18 are shown as extending outwardly of the shell 12. The first strap 16 and the second strap 18 have respective buckles 24 and 26 affixed thereto. Each of the buckles 24 and 26 includes a snap thereon for attachment to the upper hook-up posts which are present on all helmets.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the first strap 16 extends through a pair of slots 17 formed adjacent to one end of the shell 18. The second strap 18 also extends through a pair of slots 19 that are formed through the shell 12 adjacent to an opposite end of the shell 12. This configuration of threading through the pair of slots 17 and 19 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3. Importantly, an opposite end of the first strap 16 defines a loop 21 that extends outwardly of the shell 12. Ring 52 is received by the loop 21. The second strap 18 has a loop 23 at the second end thereof that extends outwardly of the shell 12. Loop 23 receives a ring 54 therein. The chin guard assembly 50 of the present invention includes rings 52 and 54 in place of conventional bottom snaps. The rings 52 and 54 can be of any suitable shape. However, FIG. 4 shows a unique form of the rings that can be used in association with the present invention. Third strap 56 extends outwardly from ring 52. Fourth strap 58 extends outwardly from ring 54. It can be seen that the third strap 56 includes a looped portion 25 that receives the ring 52 therein. The fourth strap 58 includes a looped portion 27 that receives the ring 54 therein. Removable fasteners 58 are used to secure the looped portions 25 and 27 to the respective third and fourth straps 56 and 58. These removable fasteners 59 can be in the form of a Chicago screw or the other removable attachments. Rivets or other non-removable attachments can also be used. Traditional buckles 60 are attached to the third strap 56 and to the fourth strap 58. These traditional buckles 60 includes snaps or receptacles thereon that are used for attachment to lower hook-ups of football helmets that have snap posts. The chin guard assembly 50 can be utilized with conventional helmets having snap post hookups on both the upper and lower portions of the helmet.

Importantly, in FIG. 2, the third strap 56 and the fourth strap 58 are removable even if by cutting the straps so as to allow the chin guard assembly 50 to be adapted for use with the internal strapping of a Xenith helmet. In other words, the internal strapping of a Xenith helmet can be utilized so as to be secured to the rings 52 and 54. As such, when the third and fourth straps 56 and 58 are removed, the chin guard assembly 50 is properly adapted for use with a conventional Xenith helmet.

FIG. 3 illustrates the construction of the basic form of the chin guard assembly 50 of the present invention. In particular, chin guard assembly 50 includes the first strap 16 and the second strap 18. Each of the straps 16 and 18 are single straps. The use of single straps assures the structural integrity of the chin guard assembly 50 in order to prevent possible breakage of the chin guard assembly 50 due to great impacts. Importantly, the first strap 56 extends through a pair of slots 17 formed on the shell 12. As such, it can be threaded through the pair of slots 17 in the manner shown in FIG. 2. Importantly, the second end of the strap 16 is wrapped around so as to form the looped portion 21. The second end 31 of the first strap 16 will be interposed between a portion of the strap 16 and the inner surface of the shell 12. A fastener 33, in the form of a rivet, secures the second end 31 of the first strap 16 in a sandwiched arrangement between the inner surface of the shell 12 and the inner surface of the first strap 16. As a result, the looped portion 21 is formed. This configuration of riveting assures a strong connection between the first strap 16 and the shell 12 with two separate points of contact. One point of contact will be the forces urged by the end 31 of the first strap 16 so as to sandwich another portion of the strap 16 against the inner surface of the shell 12. Furthermore, the outer portion of the first strap 16 will urge against the end 31 of the first strap 16 so as to establish a strong frictional contact. The use of the fastener 33 assures that the strap 16 will be virtually flush against the inner of the shell 12.

The first ring 52 receives the looped portion 21 therein. In particular, the interior of the ring 52 will have the looped portion 21 threaded therethrough. The ring 52 will extend outwardly of the periphery of the shell 12 below the upper portion of strap 16. The second strap 18 has a similar construction with respect to the looped portion 23. Another fastener 35 secures the looped portion 23 against the inner surface of the shell 12. The second ring 54 receives the looped portion through an interior thereof.

In FIG. 3, there is a resilient layer 14 that is placed against the inner surface of the shell 12 so as to reside within the interior of the cup defined by the shell 12. This resilient layer 14 will overlie the surfaces of the looped portions 21 and 23 of the first and second straps 16 and 18. As such, the person that wears the chin guard assembly 50 will have minimal exposure to the surfaces of the straps 16 and 18.

FIG. 4 shows the first ring 52 used to secure the strap 56 to the shell 12. Ring 54 will have a similar construction. In particular, the ring 52 is of a generally oval configuration with generally straight sides 70 and 72 and curved outer ends 74 and 76. As such, the ring 52 will have straight surfaces that are received by the looped portion 21 of the strap 16 extending from the shell 12 and with the looped portion 25 of the strap 56. This serves to avoid the curvature associated with conventional D-rings. The straight sides 70 and 72 will minimize wear and tear on the loops and looped portions. The straight sides 70 and 72 also serve to properly orient the strap relative to the helmet.

FIG. 5 shows how the strap 56 is secured to the ring 52. In particular, there is a looped portion 80 that will wrap through the interior of the ring 52 and extend so as to lie against the side 82 of strap 56. Typically, the strap 56 will have holes that are aligned. As such, the Chicago screw 84 can be inserted through these holes. The female portion 86 of the Chicago screw 84 will extend through the hole so as to open at the opposite side of the portion 80. The male portion 88 of the Chicago screw 84 can be threadedly received within the female portion 86 and then rotated so that the respective heads 90 and 92 will have strong abutting forces against the outer surfaces of the strap 56. As result, the looped portion 80 will be fixedly and removably secured to the surface 82 of the strap 56. Strap 58 will have a similar mechanism for connection to the ring 54.

The configuration of the chin guard assembly 50 of the present invention allows the straps 56 and 58 to be removable from the respective rings 52 and 54. In particular, it is only necessary to unscrew the male portion 88 from the female portion 86 of the Chicago screw 84. The portion 80 of the strap 56 can then slide outwardly of the interior of the ring 52. This configuration is important with certain types of helmets. Often, it is desirable to join the chin guard assembly to the interior strap configuration of a Xenith helmet. As such, the interior strap configuration of a Xenith helmet can be connected to the chin guard assembly. Also, if there are other unique helmet configurations with different strapping mechanisms, the rings 52 and 54 are adapted so as to uniquely receive the straps of these other helmet configurations.

FIG. 6 shows the chin guard assembly 50 of the present invention as used in association with a ratchet strap 94. In particular, the ratchet strap 94 has an end 95 that is affixed over the ring 54. The end 95 of the ratchet strap 94 can be molded onto the ring 54 or secured by mechanical attachments. The strap 18 is illustrated as threaded through the pair of slots 19 in the shell 12 of the chin guard assembly 50. As such, strap 58 will have a looped portion 23 that is adapted to receive the ring 54 therein. As a result, ratchet strap 94, which has its end 95 secured to the ring 54, can extend outwardly and downwardly from the chin guard assembly 50.

The ratchet strap 94 is, in particular, adapted to be used with a Riddell FLEX™ helmet. This helmet includes a ratchet mechanism formed on the interior of the helmet. This ratchet mechanism can be used in association with the ratchet strap 94 to draw the chin guard assembly 50 tighter against the chin of the wear or to loosen the fit of the chin guard assembly 50 against the chin of the wearer.

The ratchet mechanism of the Riddell FLEX™ helmet is removably attached to a slot formed within the helmet. As such, the chin guard assembly 50 of the present invention can be utilized in association with an adapter that is configured to replace the ratchet mechanism of the Riddell FLEX™ helmet. FIGS. 7-9 illustrates the use of the adapter with the chin guard assembly 50 of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, there shown the adapter 130 in accordance with the present invention. The adapter 130 includes a body 131 having a first face 136 and a second face (not shown) in generally parallel relation. The body 131 includes a forward edge 133 and a rearward edge 134. The body 131 also include side edges 132 and 135. There is a curvature extending between the side edge 132 and the rearward edge 134. Another curvature extends between the side edge 131 and the forward edge 133. Another curvature extends between the forward edge 133 and the side edge 135. Still another curvature extends between the side edge 135 and the rearward edge 134. These curvatures avoid any sharp corners that could result in damaging contact between the adapter 130 and the human body.

In FIG. 7, a snap post 145 is affixed to the first face 136 of the body 131. The snap post 145 is adapted to receive a snap post buckle attached to the chin strap. In particular, the snap post 145 includes a metallic ring 137. It can be seen that a tool-receiving head 139 is located centrally within the ring 137. As will be described hereinafter, the tool-receiving head 139 is associated with a screw that will be received within a threaded receptacle in the body 131. The tool-receiving head 139 securely mounted the snap post 145 to the body 131.

FIG. 8 shows an opposite view of the adapter 130 of the present invention. Importantly, it can be seen that there is an outwardly extending portion 134 that is positioned on the second face 141 of the body 131. There is a threaded receptacle 140 affixed to or formed in the body 131. The threaded receptacle 140 will open at the first face 136 and will also open at the outer surface of the outwardly extending portion 138. The outwardly extending portion 138 is generally positioned adjacent to the rearward edge 134 of the body 131. As such, the snap post 145 will also be positioned generally adjacent to this rearward edge 134.

FIG. 9 shows the adapter 130 of the present invention as installed within a recess 143 of a helmet 148. It can be seen that the body 131 has the first face 136 in the second face 141. The first face 136 is in generally parallel relationship with the second face 141. The body 131 includes a forward edge 133 and the rearward edge 134. The outwardly extending portion 138 projects outwardly of a portion of the second face 141. The body has the threaded receptacle 140 formed therein. The threaded receptacle 140 is shown as opening at the first face 136 and at the outer surface of the outwardly extending portion 138.

The snap post 145 is affixed to the first surface 136 of the body 131. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the snap post 145 is adapted to receive the snap post buckle 24 of the chin strap 56 thereon. These strap 56 is of the type shown in FIG. 1 of the prior art.

An attachment wheel 144 has a screw 146 extending therefrom. The screw 146 is removably received in the threaded receptacle 140 of the body 131 at the outwardly extending portion 138. In particular, the head of the attachment wheel 144 will cause the surface of the football helmet 148 to be sandwiched between the head of the attachment wheel 144 and the outwardly extending portion 138 of the body 131. As such, the adapter 130 is securely mounted within the recess 143 of the helmet 148.

The body 131 has a generally rectangular configuration. There is a radiused edge extending between the forward edge 131 and the first face 136. Another radiused edge extends between the rearward edge 134 and the first face 136. These radiused edges prevent any sharp areas of contact on the outer surfaces of the adapter 130. This further works to minimize potential for injury when the adapter 130 is applied to the football helmet 148. The body 131 is formed of a polymeric material. The outwardly extending portion 138 (as further shown in FIG. 8) has a generally square or rectangular configuration.

The recess 143 includes a first recessed area 151 and a second recessed area 153. The first recessed area 151 has a first depth. The second recessed area 153 has a second depth extending from the bottom surface of the first recess 151. The outwardly extending portion 138 is received in the second recess. The second face 141 of the body 131 is juxtaposed against the bottom surface of the first recess 151. As such, the first face 136 will be generally flush with the outer surface of the football helmet 148. Once again, since the first face 136 of the body 131 is flush with the outer surface of the football helmet 148, there are no outwardly projecting surfaces which could potentially cause injury. This flush-mounting further enhances the aesthetic appearance of the adapter 130 with respect to the football helmet.

The outwardly extending portion 138 has a thickness approximately equal to the second depth of the second recess 153. A hole 155 exists in the wall of the second recess 153. This hole 155 allows the screw 146 of the attachment wheel 144 to extend into the threaded receptacle 140. The can be seen that the threaded receptacle 140 both receives the tool-receiving head 139 used to secure the snap post 145 and also serves to receive the screw 146 of the attachment wheel 144.

The adapter 130 is easily mounted within the recess 143. First, any appliance that previously existed within the recess 143 is removed. The adapter 130 is placed within the recess 143 so that the outwardly extending portion 138 resides in the second recess 153 and such that the body 131 resides in the first recess 151. The attachment wheel 144 can then be positioned on the opposite side of the helmet 148. The screw 146 will extend into the threaded receptacle 140 and rotated until the head of the attachment wheel 144 abuts the surface of the football helmet. This will securely mount the body 131 in its proper position within the recess 143. After attachment, the snap post buckle 24 can be snapped on to the snap post 145 such that the third strap 56 after attachment, the snap post buckle 60 can be snapped on to the snap post 145 such that the third strap 56 is secured to the football helmet 148.

Importantly, in the present invention, the adapter 130 actually positions the snap post 145 and the outwardly extending portion 138 in a rearward position. As such, the forwardly extending portions of the adapter 130 serve to provide further resistance against any torquing effects that can be applied to the helmet and/or to the chin strap. When a pulling force is applied to the snap post 145, the forwardly extending surfaces of the adapter 130 create a cantilever effect on the adapter 130 so as to resist these forces. Since all of the surfaces of the of the adapter 130 are relatively smooth and since the adapter 130 extends generally flush with the outer surface of the helmet 148, any potential damaging contact between the sharp edges of the adapter 130 are avoided.

Importantly, the adapter 130 of the present invention is used in association with the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2. In particular, the third and fourth straps 56 and 58 adjoin to the rings 52 and 54, respectively. The snap post buckles 60 are threaded onto the respective straps 56 and 58. As such, the chin guard assembly 50, as shown in FIG. 2, can be used in association with a conventional football helmet having upper and lower hook-ups or with an adapter for the Riddell FLEX™ helmet. As such, the construction of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, provides a universal chin guard that can be utilized with connection mechanisms of virtually all types of football helmets.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A chin guard assembly comprising:

a shell having an outer surface and an inner surface and a first end and a second end, said shell having a first slot formed therethrough adjacent said first end, said shell having a second slot formed therethrough adjacent said second end;

a first strap extending through said first slot, said first strap having a first end extending outwardly of said shell, said first strap having a second end defining a first loop extending outwardly of said shell;

a second strap extending through said second slot, said second strap having a first end extending outwardly of said shell, said second end of said second strap defining a second loop extending outwardly of said shell;

a first ring received by said first loop; and

a second ring received by said second loop.

2. The chin guard assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a first fastener affixed adjacent said second end of said first strap and to said shell so as to fix said first loop to said shell; and

a second fastener affixed adjacent said second end of said second strap and to said shell so as to fix said second loop to said shell.

3. The chin guard assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a resilient layer affixed against said inner surface of said shell.

4. The chin guard assembly of claim 3, said first strap having a portion interposed between said resilient layer and said shell, said second strap having a portion interposed between said resilient layer and said shell.

5. The chin guard assembly of claim 1, said first loop extending through an interior of said first ring, said second loop extending through an interior of said second ring.

6. The chin guard assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a third strap having a first end affixed to said first ring and extending outwardly therefrom; and

a fourth strap having a first end affixed to said second ring and extending outwardly therefrom.

7. The chin guard assembly of claim 6, said first end of said third strap defining a looped portion received in said first ring, said first end of said fourth strap defining a looped portion received in said second ring.

8. The chin guard assembly of claim 7, said looped portion having an end that is secured by a removable fastener to said third strap, said looped portion of said fourth strap having an end secured to said fourth strap by another removable fastener.

9. The chin guard assembly of claim 1, said first slot comprising at least a pair of slots, said second slot comprising at least another pair of slots.

10. The chin guard assembly of claim 6, said third strap having a snap or receptacle affixed thereto adjacent a second end of said third strap, said fourth strap having another snap or another receptacle of affixed thereto adjacent a second end of said fourth strap.

11. The chin guard assembly of claim 10, said third strap affixed to a first buckle, said first buckle having said second end of said third strap threaded therethrough, said fourth strap affixed to a second buckle, said second buckle having said second end of said fourth strap threaded therethrough.

12. The chin guard assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a first adapter having a snap post thereon, said first adapter adapted to be affixed to a helmet, said snap post of said first adapter removably receiving the buckle or receptacle of said third strap thereon; and

a second adapter having a snap post thereon, said second adapter adapted to be affixed to the helmet, said snap post of said second adapter removably receiving the another buckle or another receptacle of said fourth strap thereon.

13. The chin guard assembly of claim 12, further comprising:

a helmet having said first and second adapters affixed at opposite sides thereof.

14. The chin guard assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a first ratchet strap having one end affixed to said first ring; and

a second ratchet strap having one end affixed to said second ring.

15. The chin guard assembly of claim 1, said first strap being a single strap, said second strap being a single strap.

16. An apparatus comprising:

a helmet having a pair of upper hook-ups on opposite sides thereof, said helmet having at least a pair of lower hook-ups on opposite sides thereof; and

a chin guard assembly comprising: a shell having an outer surface and an inner surface and a first end and a second end, said shell having a slot formed therethrough adjacent said first end, said shell having a second slot formed therethrough adjacent said second end; a first strap extending through said first slot, said first strap having a first end extending outwardly of said shell, said first strap having a second end defining a first loop extending outwardly of said shell; a second strap extending through said second slot, said second strap having a first end extending outwardly of said shell, said second end of said second strap defining a second loop extending outwardly of said shell; a first ring received by said first loop; and a second ring received by said second loop;

a third strap having a first end affixed to said first ring and extending outwardly therefrom; and

a fourth strap having a first end affixed to said second ring and extending outwardly therefrom, the first ends of said first and second straps removably attachable to the pair of upper hook-ups of said helmet, the second ends of said third and fourth straps being attached to said pair of lower hook-ups of said helmet.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

a first adapter having a snap post thereon, said snap post of said first adapter removably receiving a buckle or receptacle of said third strap thereon; and

a second adapter having a snap post thereon, said second adapter affixed to said helmet, said second adapter having a buckle or receptacle removably receiving the snap post of said fourth strap thereon.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, said third strap having a snap affixed thereto adjacent a second end of said third strap, said fourth strap that having another snap affixed thereto adjacent a second end of said fourth strap.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, said first end of said third strap defining a looped portion received in said first ring, said first end of said fourth strap defining a looped portion received in said second ring, said looped portion of said third strap being secured to said third strap by a removable fastener, said looped portion of said fourth strap having an end secured to said fourth strap by another removable fastener.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, each of said third and fourth straps comprising a ratchet strap, said ratchet strap adjustably received by a ratchet mechanism on said helmet.