Helmet Chinstrap Assembly With Rigid Shell and Flexible Pad Fit

Solution Overview

Problem

Chinstraps in contact sports helmets often provide inadequate protection and fit, with soft cups offering less protection but poor fit, and hard cups providing better protection but poor fit, leading to discomfort and reduced helmet stability.

Innovation Solution

A chinstrap assembly featuring a flexible inner pad member and a removable, substantially rigid outer protective member that allows for relative movement, enabling a customizable and comfortable fit by accommodating anatomical variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a soft cup is used in the chinstrap assembly, then the fit is improved by flexing to accommodate anatomical features, but the protection provided to the wearer's chin is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefitVSAvoidprotection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chinstrap assembly combines a rigid outer protective member (providing protection) with a flexible inner pad member (providing comfort and fit). This composite structure integrates two materials with opposing properties to simultaneously achieve both protection and anatomical accommodation, resolving the contradiction between soft cup fit and hard cup protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a hard cup is used in the chinstrap assembly, then the protection provided to the wearer's chin is improved, but the fit is worsened due to rigidity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprotectionVSAvoidfit

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The chinstrap assembly combines a rigid outer protective member (providing protection) with a flexible inner pad member (providing comfort and fit). This composite structure integrates two materials with opposing properties to simultaneously achieve both protection and anatomical accommodation, resolving the contradiction between soft cup fit and hard cup protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If the inner pad member is permanently attached to the outer protective member, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the ability to customize fit and accommodate different players is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoidcustomizable fit

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The chinstrap assembly is divided into separable components: an outer protective member and an inner pad member that can be independently removed and reattached. This segmentation allows the inner pad to be customized or repositioned for different players while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process for each individual component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250386889A1Protective sports helmet chinstrap assembly

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 RIDDELL INC

AI summary

A chin strap assembly is provided for use with a sports helmet. The chin strap assembly includes an inner pad member, a strap assembly and an outer protective member. The outer protective member is coupled to the strap assembly by an attachment member, such as a post. A sports helmet with the chin strap assembly is also provided.