GOALIE MASK

Abstract

A goalie helmet is disclosed with a mask adapted to cover a front portion of a wearer's head and a face, the mask having opposite side mask portions. A back plate is adapted to cover a rear portion of the wearer's head and cooperating with the mask to surround the wearer's head. The back plate is received between the side mask portions. A liner includes a mask padding layer and a back plate padding layer, the back plate padding layer extending laterally outward of the periphery of the back plate, away from a median sagittal plane of the helmet. A harness system includes a plurality of straps interconnecting the back plate and the mask, each of the straps having a portion defined between the back plate and a connection of the strap with the mask. A crisscrossing configuration of straps is also disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority on United States patent application No. 63/442,848 filed Feb. 2, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The application relates generally to helmets and, more particularly, to helmets used in sports such as ice hockey.

BACKGROUND

Typical helmets worn by ice hockey goaltenders (“goalies”) are usually formed of a mask and a back plate which cooperate to substantially surround the head of the wearer. The back plate and mask are generally interconnected by a plurality of straps which extend along an outer surface of the back plate and are received in slots defined through the mask along a rear edge thereof. A substantial portion of the straps is left exposed and can be subject to damage or become entangled during use. Such type of helmet may also be prompt to relative displacement between the mask and the back plate when worn during the practice of the sports such as hockey because of abrupt movement of the goaltenders or impact with foreign object or other individuals. Improvements as to the fit and adequate impact protection capabilities of the helmet remain sought.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an aim of the present disclosure to provide an improved sports helmet, particularly an improved goalie helmet.

In one aspect, there is provided a goalie helmet comprising: a goalie helmet comprising: a mask adapted to cover a front portion of a head and a face of a wearer, the mask including a window defined therein for minimizing an interference of the mask with a vision of the wearer, the mask having opposite side mask portions; a back plate adapted to cover a rear portion of the head of the wearer, the back plate and the mask cooperating to surround the head of the wearer, the back plate received between the side mask portions, the back plate having a periphery; a liner including a mask padding layer and a back plate padding layer, the back plate padding layer extending laterally outward of the periphery of the back plate, away from a median sagittal plane of the helmet; and a harness system including a plurality of straps interconnecting the back plate and the mask, each of the straps having a portion defined between the back plate and a connection of the strap with the mask.

The goalie helmet as defined above and described herein may also include one or more of the following features, in whole or in part, and in any combination.

Further in accordance with the above aspect, for example, the back plate padding layer has a convex outer surface with a portion of the convex outer surface facing the side mask portions.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the periphery of the back plate includes segments of edges of the back plate in a bottom half of the back plate, the segments defining a widest portion of the back plate.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, a lateral gap is defined between the side mask portions and the segments of the edges in the bottom half of the back plate, the lateral gap filled by the back plate padding layer.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the back plate padding layer has lateral ends on opposite sides of the median sagittal-plane, the lateral ends abutting corresponding lateral ends of the mask padding layer when the goalie helmet is donned.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the lateral ends of the back plate padding layer and the lateral ends of the mask padding layer have a complementary shape at an interface therebetween.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the interface is defined in a plane where the lateral ends of the mask padding layer and the back plate padding layer have straight surfaces facing each other.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the lateral ends of the mask padding layer have end surfaces extending between inner and outer surfaces of the mask padding layer, the end surfaces facing inwardly towards the median sagittal plane.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the lateral ends of the back plate padding layer have end surfaces extending between inner and outer surfaces of the back plate padding layer, the end surfaces facing outwardly towards the side mask portions.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the back plate has an outer surface, and slots defined through the outer surface adapted to receive at least some of the plurality of straps.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the back plate includes a rigid outer shell defining a substantial part of the outer surface of the back plate.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the slots are defined through the rigid outer shell.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the slots are located along the periphery of the back plate so as to leave a center portion of the convex outer surface of the back plate unobstructed by the at least some of the plurality of straps.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the back plate has a top-left portion and a bottom-left portion on one side of the median sagittal plane, and a top-right portion and a bottom-right portion on an opposite side of the median sagittal plane, wherein the top-left portion and the top-right portion each include a pair of the slots, each pair of the slots receives a respective first strap and a second strap of the plurality of straps.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the slots of each pair of the slots are spaced from each other in a direction of insertion of the strap received therein.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, each pair of the slots are recessed in a recess of the back plate.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, a segment of the first strap that extends between the slots of a pair of the slots is recessed in the recess.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the connection of the strap with the mask includes an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a length of the strap between the portion defined between the back plate and the connection of the strap with the mask.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the adjustment mechanism includes a buckle engaged to the strap.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the adjustment mechanism includes a quick release fastener.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, each of the straps of the plurality of straps includes a respective adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a length of the strap between the portion defined between the back plate and a connection of the strap with the mask.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the helmet includes at most three of the adjustment mechanisms.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a goalie helmet comprising: a mask adapted to cover a front portion of a head and a face of a wearer, the mask including a window defined therein for minimizing an interference of the mask with a vision of the wearer; a back plate adapted to cover a rear portion of the head of the wearer, the back plate and the mask cooperating to substantially enclose the head of the wearer; and a harness system including a plurality of straps interconnecting the back plate and the mask, each of the straps having a portion defined between the back plate and a connection of the strap with the mask, at least some of the straps of the plurality of straps have a crisscrossing configuration along a surface of the back plate.

The goalie helmet as defined above and described herein may also include one or more of the following features, in whole or in part, and in any combination.

Further in accordance with the above aspect, for example, the surface of the back plate is a concave inner surface of the back plate.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the goalie helmet further comprises a liner including a back plate padding layer stacked with the back plate, wherein the crisscrossing configuration is between the back plate and the back plate padding layer.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the back plate padding layer includes a back plate inner liner and a back plate mid liner stacked with the back plate inner liner, the back plate inner liner adapted to extend between the wearer's head and the back plate mid liner.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the back plate padding layer includes at least one channel in a convex outer surface of the back plate padding layer, a respective one of the straps in the crisscrossing configuration extending within the at least one channel.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the back plate padding layer includes a recess in the at least one channel, the recess in the at least one channel engaging with a corresponding recess in the back plate.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the respective straps in the crisscrossing configuration extends from a top-right portion to a bottom-left portion of the back plate padding layer, or from a top-left portion to a bottom-right portion of the back plate padding layer.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the harness system includes a plurality of adjustment mechanisms engaged to respective ones of the plurality of straps, the plurality of adjustment mechanisms adapted to adjust a length of the portion of the respective ones of the plurality of straps between the back plate and the connection of the respective ones of the plurality of straps with the mask.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, at least one of the straps of the plurality of straps is connected to the back plate at a back plate attachment point located in a topmost area of the back plate and to the mask.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the at least one of the straps of the plurality of straps is connected to the mask at a top attachment point located on an inner surface of the mask.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the at least one of the straps of the plurality of straps extends in a front-back direction relative to the helmet, in a median sagittal plane of the helmet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a helmet according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the helmet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear, partially exploded, perspective view of the helmet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of components of a back plate of the helmet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of components of a harness system for cooperating with the components of the backplate as in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a schematic front perspective view of the helmet of FIG. 1, with hidden components and showing a cross-section of padding of the helmet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a hockey goalie helmet is generally shown at 10. Although the invention is shown and described as being applied to a hockey goalie helmet, it is understood that the invention can be applied to other types of helmets, such as for example lacrosse helmets, and baseball helmets and facemasks.

The helmet 10 comprises a front shell or mask 12, and a rear shell or back plate 14, which cooperate to surround the head of the wearer so as to substantially enclose the wearer's head. In the embodiment shown, the mask 12 is adapted to substantially protect the face as well as a front portion of the head of the wearer. The mask 12 includes a top mask portion 16 covering part of the top of the head, a front mask portion 18 extending from the top mask portion 16 over a major part of the face, a bottom mask portion 20 protruding from the front mask portion 18 below the head to protect the jaw and neck, and side mask portions 22 extending between the top and bottom mask portions 16, 20 on each side of the front mask portion 18 to cover the ears and rear part of the jaw. As can be seen in FIGS. 1-2, the front mask portion 18 includes a window 24 defined therethrough, so as to minimize the interference of the mask 12 with the wearer's vision. A plurality of protection members 26 extend across the window 24 in criss-crossing fashion to prevent entry of foreign objects such as pucks and portions of sticks therethrough. The mask 12 has an inner surface 271 facing towards the wearer's head when the helmet 10 is donned, and an opposite outer surface 270, which may receive visually enhancing features, such as decals, paint, artwork, etc.

The back plate 14 is adapted to substantially cover a rear portion of the head of the wearer, and in use extends partly inwardly of the mask 12. As shown, the back plate 14 is received between the side mask portions 22. The mask 12 and back plate 14 can be made of any type of adequate material, including but not limited to fiber reinforced materials, thermoplastics, and a combination thereof.

The back plate 14 has an inner surface 281 facing towards the wearer's head when the helmet 10 is donned, and an opposite outer surface 280, which may also receive visually enhancing features, such as decals, paint, artwork, etc. In most embodiments, the back plate 14 may define an outermost layer of a stack of impact protection components adapted to protect a rear portion of the wearer's head. In an embodiment, the back plate 14 defines an outermost rigid shell of a stack of impact protection components adapted to protect a rear portion of the wearer's head. The back plate 14 is substantially more rigid than any other impact protection components to which it is stacked to which, when assembled, form the rear impact protection device of the goalie helmet 10. The back plate 14 has a rigid outer shell which may form a substantial part (e.g., at least 90%), if not an entirety, of the outer surface 280 of the back plate 14. In an embodiment, the rigid outer shell includes a plastic material, such as vinyl nitrile (VN), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or other thermoplastics, carbon reinforced material, or a combination of these materials, for example.

The back plate 14 has a periphery 14P or outline. The periphery 14P includes edges 14E which define the boundary of the back plate 14. The outline defined by the edges 14E may substantially correspond to the outline of the mask 12, at least in the top mask portion 16, as shown, though this is optional.

The back plate 14 has slots 29 adapted to receive straps 41, 42 of a strap assembly 40 (described later). The slots 29 may be defined through the rigid outer shell, as shown. These slots 29 are located generally along the periphery 14P of the back plate 14, so as to leave a substantial part of the convex outer surface 280 unobstructed at center of the back plate 14. These slots 29 may allow the straps to run along the inner surface 281 of the back plate 14 for the most part. Stated otherwise, the straps are partially concealed within the helmet 10, thereby not visually obstructing the visually enhancing features that may be present on outer surface 280, and may extend out, through the back plate 14, via these slots 29. Referring to FIG. 2, the back plate 14 may be separated into four virtual quadrants, a first quadrant Q1 containing a top-left portion of the back plate 14, a second quadrant Q2 containing a top-right portion of the back plate 14, a third quadrant containing a bottom-right portion of the back plate 14 and a fourth quadrant Q4 containing a bottom-left portion of the back plate 14. The quadrants Q1,Q4 are on one side of a median sagittal plane PP, and the quadrants Q2,Q3 are on the opposite side of the quadrants Q2, Q3. In the embodiment shown, each one of the quadrants Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 contains one of more of the slots 29. As shown, in at least some embodiments, the quadrants Q1, Q2 each contain a pair of the slots 29 through which one of the strap 41 or strap 42 extends. The quadrants Q3,Q4 each contain one of the slots 29 through which one of the strap 41 or strap 42 extends. The dual slot or single slot configurations in the respective quadrants Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 could be reversed, or each one of the quadrants could have a single slot configuration or a dual slot configuration, as other possibilities. As can be seen, in at least some embodiments in which the strap assembly 40 includes another strap 47 extending from a topmost portion of the back plate 14 (described in more detail below), the back plate 14 may include one (at least one) of the slots 29 in a location that overlaps between the first and second quadrants Q1, Q2.

The dual slot configuration of quadrant Q1 and quadrant Q2 will now be further described according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. As shown, the slots 29 in the dual slot configuration extends transversely to a direction of insertion of the strap 41, 42 therein. The slots 29 are spaced apart from each other in the direction of insertion of the strap 41, 42 therein. In the dual slot configuration, as shown, the strap 41, 42 may extend along part of the inner surface 281 of the back plate 14 to engage through one of the slot 29, then extends along part of the outer surface 280 of the back plate 14 to then engage in the oppositely facing slot 29 to re-enter along the inner surface 281 of the back plate 14. As such, as can be seen, a segment of the strap 41, 42 extending between the slots 29 of the pair of slots 29 may extend along the outer surface 280 of the back plate 14 (and therefore be visible from the exterior of the helmet 10), with other segments of the strap 41, 42, on opposite sides of that, extending along the inner surface 281 of the back plate 14. Other possible strap and slot configurations may not have such type of strap engagement with a part of the outer surface 280 of the back plate 14, in variants.

In at least some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 2, recesses 28R may be defined in the outer surface 280 of the back plate 14. The recesses may have a bottom surface 28RB extending between the oppositely facing slots 29. This can be seen in quadrant Q1 and quadrant Q2 in FIG. 2. As shown, the slots 29 may be recessed within the recess 28R. The bottom surface 28RB of the recess 28R may be delimited on opposite sides by a bottommost edge 29B. Having the slots 29 recessed as shown may allow the strap 41, 42 to extend in the recess 28R from one slot 29 to the oppositely facing other slot 29. The segment of the strap 41, 42 visible between the slots 29 may thus be less prompt to lateral slippage or displacement, entanglement, and/or provide a sleeker visual appearance of the backplate envelope with the partially visible straps 41, 42 extending through it. With continued reference to FIG. 2, in the dual slot configuration shown in quadrant Q1 and quadrant Q2, the direction of insertion of the straps 41, 42 in the respective pair of slots 29 is oblique with respect to the median sagittal plane PP. The direction of insertion of the strap 41, 42 may be at an angle θ between 15 degrees and 75 degrees with respect to the median sagittal plane PP in most embodiments. A similar obliqueness of the insertion direction of the straps 41, 42 within the slots 29 in quadrants Q3, Q4 is shown in FIG. 2.

The single slot configuration which is present in quadrants Q3, Q4 will now be further described. As shown, the slot 29 in these quadrants Q3, Q4 are opened towards a bottom-left side of the mask 12, and a bottom-right side of the mask 12 (FIG. 2). In the embodiment shown, other recesses 28R are defined in the back plate 14 with their respective bottom surfaces 28RB extending from the bottommost edge 29B of the slots 29. As shown, the straps extend from quadrant Q1 or quadrant Q2 towards a diagonally facing quadrant Q3 or quadrant Q4 extend through the single slot 29, then along the bottom surface 28RB of the recess 28R and then extends beyond the periphery 14P of the back plate 14 to connect to the side of the mask 12 (here shown on the outer surface 270 of the mask 12). As mentioned above, in variants, the dual slot or single slot configurations in the respective quadrants Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 could be reversed, or each one of the quadrants could have a single slot configuration or a dual slot configuration, as other possibilities. With continued reference to FIG. 2, as can be seen, segments of the edge 14E of the back plate 14 in quadrants Q3, Q4 are at a greater distance from the median sagittal plane PP than a remainder of the edge 14E. Stated otherwise, in the embodiment shown, a widest portion of the back plate 14 extends in quadrants Q3, Q4, or stated otherwise, the bottom half of the back plate 14. As such, the widest portion of the back plate 14 may generally follow or extend along the widest portion of the mask 12, thereby reducing a lateral gap LG between the edge 15E of the back plate 14 and the side mask portions 22. The curvature of the back plate 14 is such that a lateral projection of the back plate, in a direction away from the median sagittal plane PP, projects forwardly in addition to outwardly so as to wrap forwardly about the rear portion of the wearer's head. The edge 15E of the back plate 14 may not abut the side mask portion 22 and mask padding layer because of the configuration of the back plate padding layer and/or the mask padding layer, as will be described later below.

Referring to FIG. 3, the helmet 10 includes a liner 30, which may be referred to as inner padding layer, having a plurality of padding parts which may be attached together and/or move relative to each other, for instance to allow adjustment or fit of the helmet 10 based on the anatomy of the wearer, and/or relative displacement of the padding parts upon impact on the helmet 10. The inner padding layer 30 includes a mask padding layer 32 secured to the mask 12, and a back plate padding layer 34 secured to the back plate 14. The mask padding layer 32 is secured to the inner surface 271 of the mask 12 in at least some embodiments via fasteners and/or adhesives, for example. Similarly, the back plate padding layer 34 is secured to the inner surface 281 of the back plate 14 in at least some embodiments. The mask padding layer 32 may be secured along a portion of the mask 12 only, in some embodiments. As such, free portions of the mask padding layer 32 may be free to move relative thereto. Similarly, the back plate padding layer 34 may be secured along a portion of the back plate 14 only, in some embodiments. As such, free portions of the back plate padding layer 34 may be free to move relative to the back plate 14.

FIG. 4A illustrates components of the rear of the helmet 10 in an exploded view, including the back plate 14. The back plate 14 is the outermost protective layer of a stack of impact protection components. The back plate 14 has a concave inner surface 281 that is oriented towards the wearer's head when the helmet 10 is worn, and an opposite convex outer surface 280. Similarly to the outer surface 270, the convex outer surface 280 may receive visually enhancing features, such as decals, artwork, etc. The back plate padding layer 34 includes a back plate mid liner 34A, which faces the concave inner surface 281. The back plate mid liner 34A has a concave inner surface 34AI facing towards the head of the wearer and an opposite convex outer surface 34AO facing towards the back plate 14. In at least some embodiments, the back plate mid liner 34A may contact the concave inner surface 281 of the back plate 14, and may be secured thereto. The back plate mid liner 34A has channels 34AC in its convex outer surface 34AO. The channels 34AC are adapted to receive straps 41, 42 (FIGS. 1-3, 4B) interconnecting the mask 12 and the back plate 14. The channels 34AC face the concave inner surface 281 of the back plate 14. Channels may also be defined in the back plate 14, in addition to or instead of the convex outer surface 34AO of the back plate mid liner 34A. The channels 34AC may allow an unobstructed path for the straps 41, 42 while minimizing the overall thickness of the back plate 14 and other stacked impact protection components. The back plate mid liner 34A may include a recess 34R in a bottom surface of the channels 34AC. If present, as shown, the recess 34R may be aligned with the corresponding recess 28R in the outer surface 280 of the back plate 14 (described above). The respective recesses 28R, 34R may matingly engaged. In at least some embodiment, the bottommost edge 29B of the slots 29 that extends the closest to the bottom surface of channel 34AC extends in a same plane as the bottom surface of the channel 34AC. As shown, the bottom surface 28RB of the recess 28R in the outer surface 280 and which extends between oppositely facing slots 29 of the back plate 14 may be coplanar with immediately adjacent portions of the bottom surface of the channel 34AC just across the respective oppositely facing slots 29. Although advantageous in at least some embodiments and allowing such configuration described above, the channels 34AC are optional. The back plate padding layer 34 may further include a back plate inner liner 34B stacked with the back plate mid liner 34A. The back plate inner liner 34B may be adapted to extend between the wearer's head and the back plate mid liner 34A. The back plate inner liner 34B may include a single or more padding elements forming, when assembled, the back plate inner liner 34. The padding element(s) of the back plate inner liner 34B may be movable relative to each other, or fixed, depending on the embodiments. The back plate inner liner 34B may be molded (e.g., co-molded, over molded) with the back plate mid liner 34A. The back plate inner liner 34B may be interlocked, fastened, or adhered to the back plate mid liner 34A as some other possibilities. The back plate inner liner 34B and mid liner 34A may be integrally formed so as to form a single, continuous, part, as another possibility. While two layers of liner (back plate inner liner 34B and mid liner 34A) are present in the embodiment shown, there could be more layers in some variants.

The back plate padding layer 34 may have a portion of its convex outer surface 34AO facing part of the inner surface 271 of the mask 12. This can be seen at least in FIGS. 1-2. The back plate padding layer 34 extends laterally outward of the periphery 14P of the back plate 14, away from the median sagittal plane PP of the helmet 10. More particularly, the back plate padding layer 34 has an overall width that is greater than that of the rigid outer shell forming the outer surface 280 of the back plate 14, such that when viewed from the rear, the back plate padding layer 34 projects laterally on either side of the rigid outer shell of the back plate 14. The back plate padding layer 34 may also extend beyond the periphery 14P of the back plate 14 in a top region thereof (FIG. 3). When the helmet 10 is donned, the back plate padding layer 34 may thus extend inside the mask 12, laterally between the back plate 14 and the side mask portions 22. The back plate padding layer 34 may fill the lateral gap LG (or “spacing”) between the edge 15E of the back plate 14 and the side mask portions 22 (see FIG. 2). This may give a better wrapping feeling and a better fit of the helmet 10 on the wearer's head. It may also prevent the edge 15E of the back plate 14 to contact the inner surface 271 of the mask 12 in the side mask portions 22, thereby preventing the edges 15E of the back plate 14 from damaging the inside of the mask 12.

In an embodiment, the back plate padding layer 34 may cover one or more attachment points 44, 48 (described later) on the inner surface 271 of the mask 12. As such, a removal of the back plate 14 from engagement with the mask 12 may provide access to the attachment points 44, 48 (seen at least on FIG. 3, and described below) for quick manual connection/disconnection, for example.

Referring to FIG. 5, lateral ends 34E of the back plate padding layer 34, because the back plate padding layer 34 is wider than the rigid outer shell of the back plate 14 and thus projects laterally relatively thereto, may abut rear surface(s) of the mask padding layer 32 located on the inner sides of the front portion of the helmet, when the helmet 10 is donned and upon appropriate adjustment of the mask 12 and back plate 14. The lateral ends 34E of the back plate padding layer 34 may thus come into contact with lateral ends 32E of the mask padding layer 32. This may prevent rigid edges of the back plate 14 from damaging the inside of the mask 12. Direct abutment of the back plate padding layer 34 on the mask padding layer 32 may also better transmit and spread impact energy within the liner 30 upon impact on the mask 12 and/or back plate 14. In at least some embodiments, the back plate padding layer 34 and the mask padding layer 32 may have a complementary shape at an interface INT therebetween. The back plate padding layer 34 and the mask padding layer 32 may register at such interface INT. This may p rovide more continuity in the liner 30 at a junction between the back plate padding layer 34 and the mask padding layer 32, which may provide better impact protection. The interface INT may be defined in a plane in embodiments where the opposing ends 32E, 34E are defined by straight surfaces extending between inner and outer surface of the back padding layer and mask padding layer. It may also be contemplated to have uneven surfaces or relief at the interface INT. In the embodiment shown, the opposing lateral ends 32E, 34E are angled. The lateral ends 34E of the back plate padding layer 34 has an end surface extending between the inner and outer surface of the back plate padding layer 34, with the end surface facing outwardly towards the side mask portions 22. The lateral ends 32E of the mask padding layer 32 has an end surface extending between the inner and outer surface of the mask padding layer 32, with the end surface facing inwardly towards the median sagittal plane PP. Other orientations of these respective end surfaces could be contemplated in other embodiments. The interaction between the mask padding layer 32 and the back plate padding layer 34 described above may be between the back plate inner liner 34B and the mask padding layer 32, exclusively, or between the back plate inner liner 34B, the back plate mid liner 34A and the mask padding layer 32, depending on the embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 4B. the mask 12 and back plate 14 are interconnected by a strap assembly 40, which may be also referred to as a harness system. The strap assembly 40 allows fitting adjustment of the helmet 10 on the wearer's head and holding of the back plate 14 at the desired location at the rear of the helmet 10, relative to the wearer's head. The straps 41, 42 of the strap assembly 40 are elastic straps, but they could be not extendable in some variants. Returning to FIGS. 1-3, the strap assembly 40 includes a first strap 41 and a second strap 42, each extending from a front-top to a bottom-side of the mask 12. As shown, the first and second straps 41, 42 are adapted to intersect at the back of the wearer's head. The straps 41, 42 cross for a wrapping adjustment, front top to bottom and left to right. As can be seen, the straps 41, 42 are crisscrossing generally at a center of the back plate 14, in an area between the back plate 14 and the back plate mid liner 34A. This may leave a large area of the convex outer surface 280 of the back plate 14 free, to have decals, artwork or other visually enhancing features. The crisscrossing is also visible on FIG. 4B.

The straps 41, 42 extends at least partially between the concave inner surface 281 of the back plate 14 and the convex outer surface 34AO of the back plate mid liner 34A. The straps 41, 42 runs through the channels 34AC defined in the back plate mid liner 34A.

As indicated above, the straps 41 ,42 form part of a harness system that allows fitting adjustment of the helmet 10 on the wearer's head and holding of the back plate 14 at the desired location at the rear of the helmet 10, relative to the wearer's head. In an embodiment, the straps 41, 42 are each connected respectively to a first attachment point 44 on the mask 12, at one of their ends 41E1, 42E1 and to a second attachment point 45 on the mask 12, at another one of their ends. In at least some embodiments, these attachment points 44 are located on an inner surface 271 of the mask 12. In the embodiment shown, the attachment points 44 in the top mask portion 16 are located on the inner surface 271 of the mask 12, whereas the attachment points 45 are located on the outer surface 270 of the mask 12, in the side mask portions 22.

At least the attachment points 45 may include quick release fasteners 46, such as a snap fastener, hooks, loops, or interlocking features allowing removable connection. In some embodiments, all attachment points 44, 45 of the straps 41, 42 may allow removable connection. Yet, in some embodiments, the straps 41, 42 may permanently connected to the mask 12, such as by riveting, adhesives, molding, etc. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the harness system or strap assembly 40 may include a third strap 47 connected to the back plate 14 and to the top mask portion 16 at respective ends thereof. The third strap 47 may extend in a front-back direction relative to the helmet 10, in the median sagittal plane PP of the helmet 10. The third strap 47 may be connected to the mask 12 at a top attachment point 48. The third strap 47 may be referred to herein as the top strap at least for these reasons. The top attachment point 48 is located on an inner surface 271 of the mask 12 and may be similar as the attachment points discussed above. Together, the attachment points 44, 45 and the top attachment point 48 may be the only attachment points on the mask 12 that secure the back plate 14 with the mask 12 (or vice versa). As shown, the third strap 47 may be connected to the back plate 14 at a back plate attachment point 49. As shown, the back plate attachment point 49 may be located in a topmost area (i.e., top quarter) of the back plate 14, leaving a large area of the convex outer surface 280 of the back plate 14 free, to have decals, artwork or other visually enhancing features. The back plate attachment point 49 could be located elsewhere on the back plate 14 in other embodiments, such as in a bottommost region of the back plate 14, for instance.

The straps 41, 42, 47 and/or the attachment points 44, 45, 48, 49 may include adjustment mechanisms 50. The adjustment mechanisms 50 may include one or more buckles 51, 52, 53, or other devices to tighten and/or adjust the length of the straps 41, 42, 47 between the attachment points 44, 45, 48, 49. These adjustment mechanisms 50 may allow adjustment or fit of the helmet 10 based on the anatomy of the wearer while the helmet 10 is worn, or adjustment before the helmet 10 is donned. In at least some embodiments, the plurality of straps 41, 42, 47 and adjustment mechanisms 50 may allow adjustment of the helmet 10 via only three adjustment mechanisms 50, such as only three buckles 51, 52, 53 as shown in FIG. 4B (one at the top, and one on each side), while the strap assembly 40 has more than three attachment points, in the embodiment shown counting five attachment points. There could be less than three adjustment mechanisms 50 in some variants. Minimizing the number of adjustment mechanisms 50 may simplify the adjustment of the back plate 14 and/or fit of the helmet 10 as a whole relative to the wearer's head. Less adjustment mechanisms 50 to adjust the straps yet still obtaining great stability and fit of the helmet 10 on the head may be achieved at least because of the crisscrossing configuration of the straps 41, 42 as described herein. With the harness system described herein, in the region of the back plate 14, the straps 41, 42, 47 principally extend within the helmet 10, and as such have a minimal risk of becoming entangled with other equipment or damaged during play.

The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed.

Claims

1. A goalie helmet comprising:

a mask adapted to cover a front portion of a head and a face of a wearer, the mask including a window defined therein for minimizing an interference of the mask with a vision of the wearer, the mask having opposite side mask portions;

a back plate adapted to cover a rear portion of the head of the wearer, the back plate and the mask cooperating to surround the head of the wearer, the back plate received between the side mask portions, the back plate having a periphery;

a liner including a mask padding layer and a back plate padding layer, the back plate padding layer extending laterally outward of the periphery of the back plate, away from a median sagittal plane of the goalie helmet; and

a harness system including a plurality of straps interconnecting the back plate and the mask, each of the straps having a portion defined between the back plate and a connection of the strap with the mask.

2. The goalie helmet of claim 1, wherein the back plate padding layer has a convex outer surface with a portion of the convex outer surface facing the side mask portions.

3. The goalie helmet of claim 1, wherein the periphery of the back plate includes segments of edges of the back plate in a bottom half of the back plate, the segments defining a widest portion of the back plate.

4. The goalie helmet of claim 3, wherein a lateral gap is defined between the side mask portions and the segments of the edges in the bottom half of the back plate, the lateral gap filled by the back plate padding layer.

5. The goalie helmet of claim 1, wherein the back plate padding layer has lateral ends on opposite sides of the median sagittal-plane, the lateral ends abutting corresponding lateral ends of the mask padding layer when the goalie helmet is donned.

6. The goalie helmet of claim 5, wherein the lateral ends of the back plate padding layer and the lateral ends of the mask padding layer have a complementary shape at an interface therebetween.

7. The goalie helmet of claim 5, wherein the lateral ends of the mask padding layer have end surfaces extending between inner and outer surfaces of the mask padding layer, the end surfaces facing inwardly towards the median sagittal plane.

8. The goalie helmet of claim 5, wherein the lateral ends of the back plate padding layer have end surfaces extending between inner and outer surfaces of the back plate padding layer, the end surfaces facing outwardly towards the side mask portions.

9. The goalie helmet of claim 1, wherein the back plate has an outer surface, and slots defined through the outer surface adapted to receive at least some of the plurality of straps.

10. The goalie helmet of claim 9, wherein the back plate has a top-left portion and a bottom-left portion on one side of the median sagittal plane, and a top-right portion and a bottom-right portion on an opposite side of the median sagittal plane, wherein the top-left portion and the top-right portion each include a pair of the slots, each pair of the slots receives a respective first strap and a second strap of the plurality of straps.

11. The goalie helmet of claim 10, wherein the slots of each pair of the slots are spaced from each other in a direction of insertion of a strap of the plurality of straps received therein.

12. The goalie helmet of claim 10, wherein each pair of the slots are recessed in a recess of the back plate.

13. The goalie helmet of claim 1, wherein the connection of the strap with the mask includes an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a length of the strap between the portion defined between the back plate and the connection of the strap with the mask.

14. The goalie helmet of claim 13, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a quick release fastener.

15. The goalie helmet of claim 1, wherein each of the straps of the plurality of straps includes a respective adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a length of the strap between the portion defined between the back plate and a connection of the strap with the mask.

16. The goalie helmet of claim 15, wherein the helmet includes at most three of the adjustment mechanisms.

17. A goalie helmet comprising:

a mask adapted to cover a front portion of a head and a face of a wearer, the mask including a window defined therein for minimizing an interference of the mask with a vision of the wearer;

a back plate adapted to cover a rear portion of the head of the wearer, the back plate and the mask cooperating to substantially enclose the head of the wearer; and

a harness system including a plurality of straps interconnecting the back plate and the mask, each of the straps having a portion defined between the back plate and a connection of the strap with the mask, at least some of the straps of the plurality of straps have a crisscrossing configuration along a surface of the back plate.

18. (canceled)

19. The goalie helmet of claim 17, further comprising a liner including a back plate padding layer stacked with the back plate, wherein the crisscrossing configuration is between the back plate and the back plate padding layer.

20. The goalie helmet of claim 19, wherein the back plate padding layer includes at least one channel in a convex outer surface of the back plate padding layer, a respective one of the straps in the crisscrossing configuration extending within the at least one channel, and the back plate padding layer includes a recess in the at least one channel, the recess in the at least one channel engaging with a corresponding recess in the back plate.

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. The goalie helmet of claim 17, wherein at least one of the straps of the plurality of straps is connected to the back plate at a back plate attachment point located in a topmost area of the back plate and to the mask, and the at least one of the straps is connected to the mask at a top attachment point located on an inner surface of the mask and extends in a front-back direction relative to the helmet, in a median sagittal plane of the helmet.

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)