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US 7,111,329 B2Granted
Helmet reinforcement system
AssigneeBell Sports, Inc.
InventorsDavid E. Stroud, David T. Debus
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for head protection is provided. The system includes a helmet body defining at least one hole. The system also includes at least one reinforcement member coupled to the helmet body. The reinforcement member defines an aperture that at least partially aligns with the hole of the helmet body.
Claims30
A system for head protection, comprising:
- a helmet body, the helmet body comprising a shock-absorbent layer and an outer shell overlying the shock-absorbent layer, the shock-absorbent layer defining at least one hole;
- and
- at least one reinforcement member coupled to the shock-absorbent layer, wherein the reinforcement member:
- defines an aperture that at least partially aligns with the hole of the shock-absorbent layer;
- has a thickness substantially less than the thickness of the shock-absorbent layer defining the hole;
- and
- is substantially the same size as the hole.
4 more elements
A system for head protection, comprising:
- a helmet body, the helmet body comprising a shock-absorbent layer and an outer shell overlying the shock-absorbent layer, the shock-absorbent-layer having an outer surface and defining at least one hole having an opening at the outer surface, the opening having a size and a shape;
- and
- at least one reinforcement member positioned in proximity of the outer surface of the shock-absorbent layer, the reinforcement member defining an aperture that at least partially aligns with the opening, the aperture having an approximately same size and shape as the opening, the reinforcement member being substantially the same size as the hole.
A system for head protection, comprising:
- a first means for absorbing shock defining at least one hole;
- a second means for absorbing shock overlying the first means;
- and
- at least one means for reinforcement of the first means for absorbing shock, the means for reinforcement:
- defining an aperture that at least partially aligns with the at least one hole of the first means for absorbing shock;
- having a thickness substantially less than the thickness of the first means for absorbing shock;
- and
- being substantially the same size as the hole.
5 more elements
A system for head protection, comprising:
- a helmet body, the helmet body comprising a shock-absorbent layer and an outer shell overlying the shock-absorbent layer, the shock-absorbent layer:
- formed from a first material;
- having an outer surface and an inner surface;
- and
- defining a plurality of holes, each hole extending from the outer surface to the inner surface and comprising an opening having a size and a shape at the outer surface;
- and
- a plurality of reinforcement members formed from a second material that is tougher and less flexible than the first material and positioned in proximity of the outer surface of the shock-absorbent layer, each reinforcement member:
- having a one-to-one correspondence with a particular hole;
- defining an aperture having an approximately same size and shape as the opening of the particular hole, wherein the aperture of each reinforcement member substantially aligns with the opening of the particular hole;
- and
- being substantially the same size as the hole.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.