Headset-accommodating, load-balancing, helmet strap system

Abstract

A self load-balancing, headset-wearing accommodating helmet strap system useable with a helmet shell having front, rear and opposite lateral sides, and including (a) a chin-strap cinching subsystem having (1) a pair of opposite-side, elongate, flexible, lateral strap elements intended for use on opposite lateral sides of such a helmet shell, and (2) an elongate chin-engaging component with opposite ends slideably mounted on and between the opposite ends of different ones of the lateral strap elements, and (b), for each of the lateral strap elements, a pair of attaching devices, with one such device being designed for attaching one end of a lateral strap element adjacent an associated front lateral side of a helmet shell, and the other attaching device being designed for attaching the other end of the same lateral strap element adjacent an associated rear lateral side of the helmet shell. The system of the invention accommodates other helmet-internal componentry (namely, a suspension and attached load-cushioning pads) in a manner easily enabling lateral self-load-balancing of an entire helmet system, and in a context which also accommodates the non-interfering wearing of an audio communication headset.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to prior-filed, co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 653,744, filed Feb. 16, 2005, for “Headset-Accommodating, Load-Balancing, Shock-Cushioning Helmet System”. The entire disclosure content of that prior-filed provisional application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a self-load-balancing helmet strap system which featuring a chin-strap cinching, or simply a chin-strap, subsystem which uniquely accommodates the wearing and use, along with a load-cushioning helmet per se, of an audio headset communication system of the type having the usual central, elongate, overhead band (headband), and pair of lateral earphone units mounted adjacent opposite ends of this band. Very specifically, the system of the present invention is designed especially to accommodate both (a) automatic lateral load balancing, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] As will be seen, the system of the present invention, which is largely featured in the structure of and mounting for a unique chin-strap cinching subsystem, accommodates this other helmet-internal componentry (suspension and load-cushioning pads) in a manner easily enabling lateral self-load-balancing of an entire helmet system, and in a context which, in the bargain, so-to-speak, also uniquely accommodates non-interfering presence of an audio communication headset of the type generally described above. In other words, the system of the present invention not only easily accommodates the cooperative wearing, with a helmet, of an audio headset, but does so in a manner, and with features, which uniquely also accommodate and offer proper lateral self-load-balancing on a wearer's head.

[0009] Thus, in prior art structures there is, effectively, an interference-space conflict which typically exists between the space occupied by a simultaneously worn helmet system and a headset. Very specifically, conventional lateral strap components which form parts of a typical chin-strap cinching subsystem in an overall helmet system are so constructed with “rigidified” positions relative to a helmet shell, that they effectively nearly always overlie lower perimeter regions of a wearer's ears, and do so in a manner which interferes with easy, comfortable and safe wearing of a headset along with a helmet load-cushioning system.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional helmet systems, and especially the chin-strap cinching subsystems which are employed in such systems, present non-adaptable configurations at the lateral sides of a helmet with respect to the features of conventional chin-strap subsystems.

This non-adaptability, and the adverse conditions which it creates, are particularly experienced near the lower perimeter portions of a wearer's ears where such non-adaptability creates unacceptable spatial-interference conflicts with auxiliary equipment, such as with the earphone units in communication audio headsets.

Such conflicts lead to significant, and potentially uncomfortable, not to mention dangerous, wearing conditions for a wearer such as a soldier.

Thus, in prior art structures there is, effectively, an interference-space conflict which typically exists between the space occupied by a simultaneously worn helmet system and a headset.

Very specifically, conventional lateral strap components which form parts of a typical chin-strap cinching subsystem in an overall helmet system are so constructed with “rigidified” positions relative to a helmet shell, that they effectively nearly always overlie lower perimeter regions of a wearer's ears, and do so in a manner which interferes with easy, comfortable and safe wearing of a headset along with a helmet load-cushioning system.

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