Shock-absorbing facemask attachment assembly

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. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The present invention presents a shock-absorbing facemask attachment assembly that provides absorption and dissipation of a high percentage of impact energy from an oncoming object. This shock absorption and dissipation is achieved through a mounting configuration and / or mounting materials that allow the facemask to greatly increase the impact absorption and to distribute a large amount of impact energy.

[0007]In another embodiment, the shock-absorbing facemask attachment assembly includes a housing attached to a helmet shell with a spring positioned in the housing. The spring has a first end coupled to a facemask and a second end disposed in the housing. The spring is adapted to be compressed further toward the housing in response to a force applied to the first end. One or more fasteners may be used to mount the spring to the facemask and / or to the housing. One or more of the fasteners may include nylon for greater flexibility. A compressible intermediate member may be positioned within the spring.

[0010]In yet another embodiment, the shock-absorbing facemask attachment assembly includes a spring assembly in which a first spring has a first end coupled to a helmet shell and a second end coupled to a housing, and a second spring has a first end coupled to a facemask and a second end coupled to the housing. A third spring may also have a first end coupled to the facemask and a second end coupled to the housing. The springs may be substantially perpendicular to the helmet shell. Any or all of the springs may be coupled to the helmet shell, housing, or facemask with one or more fasteners. Any of the fasteners may include nylon for enhanced flexibility.

[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.

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