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EP-4136997-B1 - HELMET WITH ADJUSTABLE FIT SYSTEM

EP4136997B1EP 4136997 B1EP4136997 B1EP 4136997B1EP-4136997-B1

Inventors

  • GARRISON, Jesse
  • WILKE, MARK
  • KUANG, ERIC

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20220810

Claims (10)

  1. A helmet (100), comprising: an outer shell (105); an impact absorbing layer (110) adjacent to the outer shell; and a fit system mounted to the impact absorbing layer, wherein the fit system includes: a rear portion (120) that includes a rotational mount (140) having a ball (145) and an extension (150) mounted to the ball; and a rear mount (130) that includes a plurality of grooves (135), wherein each groove in the plurality of grooves is configured to receive the rotational mount of the rear portion of the fit system, characterized in that the ball rotates within a groove to enable rotation of the rear portion (120) of the fit system between a first position in which the rear portion of the fit system is lowered to extend downward from a bottom of the helmet when the helmet is worn by a user and a second position for storage of the helmet in which the rear portion of the fit system is raised and does not extend below the bottom of the helmet, wherein each groove in the plurality of grooves (135) is a curved channel that includes a first portion (155), a second portion (160), and a third portion (165), wherein the ball (145) of the rotational mount (140) is configured to rest within the third portion (165) of the curved channel, wherein the extension (150) mounted to the ball (145) is positioned in the curved channel, and wherein the curved channel supports the extension (150) in the first position and the second position.
  2. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the rear mount (130) is incorporated into the impact absorbing layer (110).
  3. The helmet of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of grooves (135) are stacked vertically in the rear mount (130) such that the rear portion (120) of the fit system can be raised or lowered relative to a top of the helmet (100).
  4. The helmet of claim 3, wherein the plurality of grooves (135) comprises three grooves.
  5. The helmet of any preceding claim, wherein the fit system further includes a front portion (125) mounted to the impact absorbing layer (110).
  6. The helmet of claim 5, further comprising a cord (190) that connects the rear portion (120) of the fit system to the front portion (125) of the fit system, wherein the front portion (125) of the fit system includes a track (175) configured to receive at least a portion of the cord.
  7. The helmet of claim 6, wherein a portion of the track (175) includes a first track path (180) and a second track path (185), and wherein the first track path positions the fit system at a first location relative to the bottom of the helmet (100) and the second track path positions the fit system at a second location relative to the bottom of the helmet (100).
  8. The helmet of claim 7, wherein the first track path (180) and the second track path (185) are stacked vertically in the helmet (100).
  9. The helmet of claim 5, wherein the front portion (125) of the fit system includes a first terminal end on a right side of the helmet and a second terminal end on a left side of the helmet, and wherein each of the first terminal end and the second terminal end includes a track (175) having a first track path (180) and a second track path (185).
  10. The helmet of claim 9, wherein the first track path (180) and the second track path (185) on the right side of the helmet and on the left side of the helmet are positioned between an ear and forehead of a wearer of the helmet.

Description

BACKGROUND A cycling helmet is often worn by bicyclists as a safety precaution. Traditional helmets utilize a stiff foam material such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) surrounded by a rigid shell to help reduce the peak energy of an impact. Traditional helmets also utilize an adjustable strap system such that the helmet can be securely fastened to the user's head. Additionally, some helmets include foam padding in various areas to improve comfort and prevent chafing. KR 101617366 (Nanux Networks Inc.) discloses a bicycle helmet, comprising: a helmet main body; a hair band which is adjustable to the head shape of a user; a sliding guide having a sliding slot which is perforated and formed as a long hole toward a free end portion from a fixing element connected to any one of the helmet main body and the hair band, wherein a plurality of resistance protrusions protruding inwards are arranged with maintaining grooves therebetween in a length direction on the sliding slot; a slider connected to the other of the helmet main body and the hair band, wherein the slider is inserted into the sliding slot to pass across the length direction of the sliding slot, thereby exposing both ends to both sides of the sliding slot, so the slider can slide; and a hanger for connecting the hair band and the slider. The hanger includes a pair of connection arms which are connected to both ends of the slider, respectively. SUMMARY An illustrative helmet includes an outer shell and an impact absorbing layer adjacent to the outer shell. The helmet, according to the claimed invention, includes a fit system mounted to the impact absorbing layer. The fit system includes a rear portion that includes a rotational mount having a ball and an extension mounted to the ball. The fit system also includes a rear mount that includes a plurality of grooves. Each groove in the plurality of grooves is configured to receive the rotational mount of the rear portion of the fit system. An illustrative method of making a helmet includes thermoforming a first carbon section for a helmet. The first carbon section includes a first overlap area. The method also includes thermoforming a second carbon section for the helmet. The second carbon section includes a second overlap area. The method also includes aligning the first overlap area with the second overlap area such that there is a gap between the first overlap area and the second overlap area. The method further includes placing an adhesive in the gap to adhere the first carbon section to the second carbon section to form a carbon cage. The first overlap area may comprise a first plurality of overlap areas and the second overlap area may comprise a second plurality of overlap areas. The aligning may comprise aligning the first plurality of overlap areas with the second plurality of overlap areas such that there is a corresponding plurality of gaps between the first plurality of overlap areas and the second plurality of overlap areas. Placing the adhesive may comprise placing the adhesive in each gap of the plurality of gaps to adhere the first carbon section to the second carbon section. The method may further comprise forming an impact absorbing layer that covers at least a portion of the carbon cage. A first portion of an exterior shell of the helmet may be formed by the carbon cage and a second portion of the exterior shell of the helmet may be formed by the impact absorbing layer. The first carbon section may form a rear portion of the carbon cage and the second carbon section may form a front portion of the carbon cage. Other principal features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, the detailed description, and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Illustrative embodiments will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements. The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1A is a first cross-sectional view of a helmet with an adjustable fit system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.Fig. 1B is a second cross-sectional view of the helmet with an adjustable fit system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.Fig. 1C is a partial cross-sectional close up view of a rear mount for the adjustable fit system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.Fig. 1D is partial cross-sectional view of the helmet that depicts the front portion of the fit system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.Fig. 1E is a