Chinstrap assembly

Abstract

A chinstrap assembly for a helmet having opposite sides and a face opening includes a chin protector and first and second straps extending from the opposite sides of the helmet to opposite ends of the chin protector. A cinching device at each end of the chin protector receives an outgoing segment of the corresponding strap, grips the strap and redirects an incoming segment thereof so that by applying a lateral/rearward tensile force to that incoming segment, the length of the outgoing segment may be set to a selected value which is maintained when the tensile force is relieved.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates to protective headgear. It relates more specifically to a chinstrap assembly for use therewith.[0003]2. Background Information[0004]Protective headgear such as a helmet is used widely in games and other physical activities to help protect the wearer from head injury which can result from impact forces due to contact with other people or with objects.[0005]Nearly all helmets include some sort of device for securing the helmet to the wearer's head. Most commonly, these devices involve a chinstrap assembly designed to retain the helmet on the user's head and to protect the user's chin from the force of an impact. Typically such chinstrap assemblies include a chin protector and adjustable straps or strap segments which connect opposite ends of the chin protector to the helmet at opposite sides of the helmet's face opening. The lengths of the chinstraps may be adjusted to draw down and seat the helmet ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022]It is important to appreciate that the cinching devices help keep the helmet and chin protector in place. The fasteners which fasten the second ends of the straps to the helmet shell maintain the directionality of the incoming segments of the straps and thus the high drag exerted on the straps by the cinching devices. Therefore, the fasteners are not subjected to as much stress due to frontal impacts on the helmet as they would be in the absence of the cinching devices. Also, when the straps are unfastened from the helmet shell, the cinching devices inhibit the chin protector from moving relative to the straps. Therefore, the set distance between the chin protector and the helmet is preserved so that no adjustments are needed after the straps are refastened to the helmet shell.

Problems solved by technology

Helmets equipped with conventional chinstrap assemblies are disadvantaged in that the distance between the chin protector and the helmet is set solely at the buckles which releasably fasten the straps to the helmet.

Therefore, the helmet cannot be fitted ergonomically to the head using those straps.

Another disadvantage is that the usual chinstrap assembly is not particularly comfortable to wear for a prolonged period.

In addition, it may not sufficiently resist upward forces applied to the helmet via its facemask, with the result that, in use, the helmet can become disengaged from the wearer's head.

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