Chin Protector Cover
A cover includes a receiver having a concave-shaped inner surface and a flap including a first side coupled to the receiver and a second side including a fastener. The flap may be movable relative to the receiver from an open position to a closed position. The fastener may be configured to be coupled to the receiver when the flap is in the closed position.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/454,168 filed Feb. 3, 2017 entitled “Chin Protector Cover”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to a cover and, more particularly, to a cover for a helmet retention strap chin protector.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment there is a cover comprising a receiver having a concave-shaped inner surface and a flap including a first side coupled to the receiver and a second side including a fastener. The flap may be moveable relative to the receiver from an open position to a closed position. The fastener may be configured to be coupled to the receiver when the flap is in the closed position. The receiver may include a first sidewall having a first edge, a second sidewall having a second edge, and a central portion coupled to each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The flap may be adjacent the first edge and the second edge and may be spaced from the central portion when the flap is in the closed position. The first sidewall may include an end having an end height and a center having a center height. The center height may be greater than the end height. The second sidewall and the fastener may have substantially the same shape. The second sidewall may be configured to couple to the fastener. At least one of the fastener and the second sidewall may include a plurality of hooks and the other of the fastener and the second sidewall include a plurality of loops configured to engage the hooks. The flap may be configured to fold over the second edge such that the fastener is adjacent the second sidewall. The cover may be configured to receive a chin protector. The cover may be configured to receive a chin protector coupled to a helmet. An inside surface of the receiver may be shaped to correspond to an outside surface of a chin protector. The fastener may be spaced downwardly from a user's face when the user's chin is within the chin protector.
In a further embodiment, the cover may include piping on at least a portion of a perimeter of the cover. The receiver may be comprised at least partially of neoprene. The flap may be comprised of an elastomeric material. The flap may be perforated. The fastener may be crescent shaped. The flap may be generally planar in the closed position. The fastener may be generally perpendicular to the portion of the flap extending across the receiver in the closed position.
In one embodiment, there is a method of covering a chin protector comprising obtaining a cover including a receiver having a concave-shaped inner surface and a flap having a first side coupled to the receiver and a second side including a fastener. The method may include positioning the concave inner surface of the cover adjacent a convex outer surface of the chin protector and folding the flap over the chin protector such that the fastener is coupled to the receiver. The chin protector may include a first edge, a second edge, and a central portion, and the folding step may include folding the flap over the chin protector such that the flap is adjacent the first edge and the second edge and is spaced from the central portion of the chin protector.
In a further embodiment, the method may include placing a user's chin within the chin protector such that the flap stretches to contact the central portion of the chin protector. The second side of the flap is spaced from a user's face when the user's chin is within the chin protector. The chin protector may be coupled to a helmet prior to the positioning step. In a further embodiment, the method includes uncoupling the fastener from the receiver and removing the cover from the chin protector while the chin protector is coupled to the helmet.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments of the chin protector cover, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings of an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. For example, although not expressly stated herein, features of one or more various disclosed embodiments may be incorporated into other of the disclosed embodiments.
In the drawings:
Chin protectors may be coupled to retention straps of a helmet or hat and help secure the helmet or hat on a user's head and provide padding to the user's chin. The user's chin sits inside a concave side of the chin protector. Chin protectors can be difficult or time consuming to remove from the retention straps and therefore are difficult to keep clean. Detaching the chin protector from the retention straps and/or detaching the retention straps from the helmet increases the risk that a user fails to properly reattach the components and potentially leading to injury. To avoid adsorbing sweat and dirt, chin protectors are often made of plastic that can be irritating to the user's skin. Chin protectors coupled to a helmet are primarily designed for safety and thus aesthetics of the chin protector itself may only be a secondary consideration. Sleeve covers have been used to provide extra padding and moisture absorption and help keep the chin protector clean. However, such chin protector covers require the user to slide the cover over the chin protector when the protector or retention straps are detached from the helmet. It may not be feasible to remove the chin protector to put on the cover when the chin protector is permanently fixed to the retention straps.
Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown a cover, generally designated 10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the cover 10 provides a washable pad and desired appearance without having to detach the chin protector and/or retention straps.
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In one embodiment, the central portion 24 includes indicia 25. The indicia 25 may include one or more of an image such as a team logo, word or phrase such as a team name, number such as a player's jersey number, and picture. The indicia 25 may be a different color than the central portion 24. The indicia 25 may be a different material than the central portion 24. In one embodiment, the indicia 25 is stitched into the central portion 24. In other embodiments, the indicia 25 is printed or otherwise affixed to the outer surface of the central portion 24. The central portion 24 may include a first arcuate portion of a circle 13 (
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The cover 10 may be provided separately or as part of a kit with two or more covers. The kit may include covers having different appearances from one another such as different color schemes and/or indicia. Turning to
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The method may include placing a user's chin within the chin protector 54 such that the flap 40 stretches to contact the central portion 62 of the chin protector 54. The method may include removing a user's chin from the chin protector 54 such that the flap 40 is spaced from the central portion 62 of the chin protector 54. The chin protector 54 may be coupled to a helmet 56 by a connector 58. The connector 58 of the chin protector 54 may be coupled to the helmet 56 prior to positioning the cover 10 on the chin protector 54. The method may further include uncoupling the fastener 46 from the receiver 12 and removing the cover 10 from the chin protector 54 while the chin protector 54 is coupled to the helmet 56. The method may further include coupling a second cover 66 to the chin protector 54. The second cover 66 may have a different appearance than cover 10 (
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the exemplary embodiments shown and described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. For example, specific features of the exemplary embodiments may or may not be part of the claimed invention and various features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined. The words “right”, “left”, “lower” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the cover. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”.
It is to be understood that at least some of the figures and descriptions of the invention have been simplified to focus on elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements that those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate may also comprise a portion of the invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not necessarily facilitate a better understanding of the invention, a description of such elements is not provided herein.
Further, to the extent that the methods of the present invention do not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the particular order of the steps should not be construed as limitation on the claims. Any claims directed to the methods of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the steps may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A cover comprising:
- a receiver having a concave-shaped inner surface; and
- a flap including a first side coupled to the receiver and a second side including a fastener, the flap moveable relative to the receiver from an open position to a closed position,
- wherein the fastener is configured to be coupled to the receiver when the flap is in the closed position.
2. The cover of claim 1, wherein the receiver includes a first sidewall having a first edge, a second sidewall having a second edge, and a central portion coupled to each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
3. The cover of claim 2, wherein the flap is adjacent the first edge and the second edge and is spaced from the central portion when the flap is in the closed position.
4. The cover of claim 2, wherein the first sidewall includes an end having an end height and a center having a center height, wherein the center height is greater than the end height.
5. The cover of claim 2, wherein the second sidewall and the fastener have substantially the same shape.
6. The cover of claim 2, wherein the second sidewall is configured to couple to the fastener.
7. The cover of claim 6, wherein at least one of the fastener and the second sidewall include a plurality of hooks and the other of the fastener and the second sidewall include a plurality of loops configured to engage the hooks.
8. The cover of claim 2, wherein the flap is configured to fold over the second edge such that the fastener is adjacent the second sidewall.
9. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured to receive a chin protector.
10. The cover of claim 9, wherein an inside surface of the receiver is shaped to correspond to an outside surface of the chin protector.
11. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured to receive a chin protector coupled to a helmet.
12. The cover of claim 9, wherein the fastener is spaced downwardly from a user's face when the user's chin is within the chin protector.
13. The cover of claim 1, further comprising piping on at least a portion of a perimeter of the cover.
14. The cover of claim 1, wherein the receiver is comprised at least partially of neoprene.
15. The cover of claim 1, wherein the flap is comprised of an elastomeric material.
16. The cover of claim 1, wherein the flap is perforated.
17. The cover of claim 1, wherein the fastener is crescent shaped.
18. The cover of claim 1, wherein the flap is generally planar in the closed position.
19. The cover of claim 1, wherein the fastener is generally perpendicular to a portion of the flap extending across the receiver in the closed position.
20. A method of covering a chin protector, comprising:
- obtaining a cover including a receiver having a concave-shaped inner surface and a flap having a first side coupled to the receiver and a second side including a fastener;
- positioning the concave inner surface of the cover adjacent a convex outer surface of the chin protector; and
- folding the flap over the chin protector such that the fastener is coupled to the receiver.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the chin protector includes a first edge, a second edge, and a central portion, and
- wherein the folding step includes folding the flap over the chin protector such that the flap is adjacent the first edge and the second edge and is spaced from the central portion of the chin protector.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising placing a user's chin within the chin protector such that the flap stretches to contact the central portion of the chin protector.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the second side of the flap is spaced from a user's face when the user's chin is within the chin protector.
24. The method of claim 20, wherein the chin protector is coupled to a helmet prior to the positioning step.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising uncoupling the fastener from the receiver and removing the cover from the chin protector while the chin protector is coupled to the helmet.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 1, 2018
Publication Date: Nov 28, 2019
Applicant: Xenith, LLC (Detroit, MI)
Inventors: Kyle Lamson (Chelmsford, MA), Ryan Patrick Sullivan (Detroit, MI), David William Selby (Wixom, MI)
Application Number: 16/480,873