Sports helmet with removable facemask

Abstract

A sports helmet, such as a batting helmet, includes a shell and a facemask that is removably attached to the shell with at least one fastening component that is integral with the facemask and at least one mating fastening component that is integral with the shell. The facemask may have at least one integral fastening component at each distal end of the facemask. Correspondingly, the shell may have at least one mating fastening component on each of two opposing interior surfaces of the shell. The fastening components can be removably connected to the mating fastening components on the interior surface of the shell. The helmet may include an ear guard attached to the facemask and removably attached to the shell with at least one fastening component that is integral with the ear guard and at least one mating fastening component that is integral with the shell.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a sports helmet having a removable facemask.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Helmets are a key type of protective equipment used in a variety of sports. In baseball, in particular, batters typically wear a helmet when they step up to the plate. The helmet serves to protect the batter's head from severe injury when a waywardly pitched ball and / or the batter's stance result in a collision between the ball and the batter's head.[0003]In many team sports, a team may share a limited number of helmets among the team members. For instance, in baseball, only one batter is up to bat at a time, and up to three baserunners. Therefore, many teams use four helmets or less to accommodate the needs of an entire baseball team.[0004]Many sports helmets, such as batting helmets, include a facemask. The facemask provides a framework positioned in front of the wearer's face to protect the wearer's face from direct contact with a ball without ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention presents a sports helmet having a removable facemask. The facemask can be quickly and easily removed from and reattached to the helmet. All of the fastening components and mating fastening components are integrated into the helmet and the facemask. Consequently, there are no small parts that are susceptible to getting lost.

Problems solved by technology

However, a facemask may seem cumbersome to some wearers, and the facemask inevitably blocks at least a small portion of the wearer's field of vision.

However, the act of removing or reattaching the facemask is often time-consuming, particularly when a team has a small number of helmets relative to the number of players.

Additionally, the attachment hardware, such as screws, may be easily lost either during the facemask removal or reattachment process, or even when the helmet is in storage, in transport, or when in use.

Additionally, many existing facemasks and their fasteners provide an unpleasing appearance to the helmet.

The facemask may severely distort the overall appearance of the helmet and make the helmet look very unattractive, particularly to young users.

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