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US 11,229,256 B1Granted
Face mask shock-mounted to helmet shell
OwnerAlbert Straus, Robert J. Michaelinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for protecting a user from impacts to the head. The apparatus includes a shell configured to receive a human head and a face mask coupled to the shell by a plurality of biasing mechanisms. The face mask is configured to reorient relative to the shell upon impact. The biasing mechanisms return the face mask to its original relative position after impact.
Claims11
An apparatus for protecting a user from an impact, said apparatus comprises:
- a shell configured to fit a human head, said shell has an outer surface;
- a mask coupled to said shell, said mask is rigid, said mask has a first orientation relative to said shell;
- a first biasing mechanism, said first biasing mechanism couples said mask to said shell;
- a second biasing mechanism, said second biasing mechanism couples said mask to said shell;
- said mask is configured to re-orient relative to said shell upon receiving an impact external to said mask;
- and
- said first and second biasing mechanisms are configured to bias said mask to said first orientation;
- said first biasing mechanism is an elastomer, said first biasing mechanism is in said shell;
- a first implement, said first implement is coupled to said mask in a fixed position relative to said mask, said first implement is configured to move smoothly across said outer surface of said shell while maintaining continuous contact with said outer surface;
- a second implement, said second implement is coupled to said mask in a fixed position relative to said mask, said second implement is configured to move smoothly across said outer surface of said shell while maintaining continuous contact with said outer surface;
- a third implement, said third implement is coupled to said mask in a fixed position relative to said mask, said third implement is configured to move smoothly across an inner surface of said shell while maintaining continuous contact with said inner surface, said first elastomer is between said first implement and said third implement;
- a fourth implement, said fourth implement is coupled to said mask in a fixed position relative to said mask, said fourth implement is configured to move smoothly across said inner surface of said shell while maintaining continuous contact with said inner surface, said second elastomer is between said second implement and said fourth implement;
- and
- said first, second, third, and fourth implements are washers.
11 more elements
A football helmet for protecting a user from an impact,
- said football helmet comprises:
- a shell configured to fit a human head, said shell has an outer surface;
- a face mask coupled to said shell, said face mask is rigid, said face mask has a first orientation relative to said shell;
- a first elastomer coupling said face mask to said shell;
- a second elastomer coupling said face mask to said shell;
- said face mask is capable of aligning to a second orientation relative to said shell;
- said first and second elastomers are configured to bias said face mask to said first orientation relative to said shell;
- a first clamp that clamps to said face mask in a fixed position relative to said face mask;
- a first fastener that couples said first clamp to said first elastomer, said first fastener extends through said first clamp and said first elastomer;
- a second clamp that clamps to said face mask in a fixed position relative to said face mask;
- and
- a second fastener that couples said second clamp to said second elastomer, said second clamp extends through said second clamp and said second elastomer;
- a first implement, said first implement is between said first clamp and said first elastomer, said first fastener extends through said first implement, said first implement is configured to move smoothly across said outer surface of said shell while maintaining continuous contact with said outer surface;
- a second implement, said second implement is between said second clamp and said second elastomer, said second fastener extends through said second implement, said second implement is between said second clamp and said second elastomer, said second implement is configured to move smoothly across said outer surface of said shell while maintaining continuous contact with said outer surface;
- a third implement, said first elastomer is between said first implement and said third implement, said first fastener extends through said third implement, said third implement is configured to move smoothly across an inner surface of said shell while maintaining continuous contact with said inner surface;
- and
- a fourth implement, said second elastomer is between said second implement and said fourth implement, said second fastener extends through said fourth implement, said fourth implement is configured to move smoothly across said inner surface of said shell while maintaining continuous contact with said inner surface.
14 more elements
A helmet for protecting a user from an impact, said football helmet comprises:
- a shell configured to fit a human head, said shell has an outer surface;
- a face mask coupled to said shell, said face mask is rigid, said face mask has a first orientation relative to said shell;
- a first elastomer coupling said face mask to said shell;
- a second elastomer coupling said face mask to said shell;
- said face mask is capable of aligning to a second orientation relative to said shell;
- said first and second elastomers are configured to bias said face mask to said first orientation relative to said shell;
- a first clamp that clamps to said face mask in a fixed position relative to said face mask;
- a first fastener that couples said first clamp to said first elastomer, said first fastener extends through said first clamp and said first elastomer;
- a second clamp that clamps to said face mask in a fixed position relative to said face mask;
- and
- a second fastener that couples said second clamp to said second elastomer, said second clamp extends through said second clamp and said second elastomer;
- a first implement, said first implement is between said first clamp and said first elastomer, said first fastener extends through said first implement, said first implement is configured to move smoothly across said outer surface of said shell while maintaining continuous contact with said outer surface;
- a second implement, said second implement is between said second clamp and said second elastomer, said second fastener extends through said second implement, said second implement is between said second clamp and said second elastomer, said second implement is configured to move smoothly across said outer surface of said shell while maintaining continuous contact with said outer surface;
- and
- said first and second implements are washers.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.