Shock-absorbing facemask attachment assembly

a technology of attachment assembly and face mask, which is applied in the field of attachment assembly, can solve the problems of little, if any, shock absorption of conventional face mask mountings, and the presence of face masks in umpire masks and other helmets that include facemasks, and neither the design of conventional facemask mounts nor the materials used in conventional facemask mounts provide much impact absorption. , to achieve the effect of greatly improving shock absorption

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-07-10
WILSON SPORTING GOODS
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]Any of the shock-absorbing facemask attachment assembly embodiments described herein may be applied to catcher's masks, umpire's masks, lacrosse helmets, football helmets, hockey helmets, and any other helmet that includes a facemask. Regardless of the type of helmet, shock-absorption is greatly improved by using any of the mounting schemes in this invention.

Problems solved by technology

However, conventional facemask mountings provide little, if any, shock absorption.
This problem is also present in umpire masks and other helmets that include facemasks.
Neither the design of conventional facemask mounts nor the materials used in conventional facemask mounts provide much impact absorption.

Method used

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  • Shock-absorbing facemask attachment assembly

Examples

Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0028]Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a helmet having a shock-absorbing facemask attachment assembly is indicated generally at 20. The helmet 20 of FIG. 1 is configured as a catcher's helmet; however, the invention can also be applied to other types of helmets, such as, for example, an umpire's helmet and / or mask, a lacrosse helmet, a football helmet, a hockey helmet, and practically any other type of helmet that includes a facemask. The helmet includes a shell 22, a padding assembly (or head support assembly) (not shown), and a facemask 24.

[0029]The shell 22 is a generally hemispherically-shaped head covering, which forms a cranial cavity 26 configured to generally cover and protect the upper portion of a user's head. The shell 22 has a dome-like crown 28, a generally continuous circumferential side wall 30, first and second ear protective regions 32 and 34, and a neck protective region 36 that surrounds a wearer's neck. Preferably, the crown 28, side wall 30, first and second ear prot...

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Abstract

A facemask coupled to a sports helmut such that it will absorb a very high percentage of the impact energy from a ball or other oncoming force. The shock-absorbing facemask attachment assembly includes a housing attached to a helmet. An insert may be coupled to the facemask and the housing such that the insert is pushed further into the housing in response to an applied force. Alternatively, one or more springs may be coupled to the facemask and the housing such that the springs are compressed further toward the housing in response to an applied force. As another alternative, a spring assembly may include at least one spring coupled to the helmet and the housing and at least one spring coupled to the facemask and the housing.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to an attachment assembly for mounting a facemask to a sports helmet in such a way that the facemask will absorb and / or dissipate a very high percentage of impact energy from a ball or other oncoming force.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Helmets are used in a wide range of sports. Helmets generally serve the same purpose in each sport, which is to protect the wearer's head from injury by providing a buffer zone between the wearer's head and an oncoming ball, puck, club, or other moving object.[0003]Helmets worn by umpires and catchers in baseball or softball, football players, hockey players, and lacrosse players are well known and typically include a shell having inner and outer surfaces and a padding assembly connected to the inner surface of the shell. Many sport helmets also typically include corresponding facemasks mounted to the helmet. However, conventional facemask mountings provide little, if any, shock absorption. ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A42B3/20A42B3/00A42B3/06
CPCA42B3/20
Inventor UDELHOFEN, PATRICK
Owner WILSON SPORTING GOODS
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