Fit adjustment mechanism for helmets

A headband for a helmet, comprising:

• (a) first strap portion and a second strap portion;
• (b) a fit adjustment mechanism therebetween and connecting to the first and second strap portions, the fit adjustment mechanism comprising:
• (i) a bridge having:
• a first end, a second end, an interior surface, and an exterior surface;
• a plurality of ratchet teeth extending from the exterior surface toward the first end, each of the ratchet teeth having a tapered surface, a top land, and a retention surface, the retention surface having an undercut face extending downwardly and inwardly beneath the land, wherein the top land of said teeth comprises a rounded tip so that the pawl is prevented from engaging the top land;
• substantially flat valleys formed on the exterior surface between each of said ratchet teeth;
• the bridge formed of a first molded material comprising nylon;
• (ii) a buckle having:
• a base with an exterior surface;
• a clasp resiliently and integrally formed with the exterior surface of said base, the clasp having a pawl, the pawl having an engagement surface so formed to engage the undercut face of the ratchet teeth retention surface;
• the clasp being selectively movable to a release position wherein the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet teeth to extend selectively the length of the bridge;
• and
• the buckle formed of a second molded material comprising polyethylene,
• the second molded material having less rigidity than the first molded material.

A sport helmet, comprising:

• (a) a rigid shell assembly for substantially covering a top portion of a wearer's head, the rigid shell having an inner surface and an outer surface;
• (b) an adjustable headband attached at point to the inner surface of the rigid shell;
• (c) a fit adjustment mechanism for the headband comprising:
• (i) a bridge having:
• a first end, a second end, an interior surface, and an exterior surface;
• a plurality of ratchet teeth extending from the exterior surface toward the first end, each of the ratchet teeth having a tapered surface, a top land, and a retention surface, the retention surface having an undercut face extending downwardly and inwardly beneath the land, wherein the top land of each of said teeth comprises a rounded tip so that the pawl is prevented from engaging said top land;
• substantially flat valleys formed on the outer surface between each of said ratchet teeth;
• the bridge formed of a first molded material comprising nylon;
• (ii) a buckle having:
• a base with an exterior surface;
• a clasp resiliently and integrally formed with the exterior surface of said base, the clasp having a pawi, the pawl having an engagement surface so formed to engage the undercut face of the ratchet teeth retention surface;
• and
• the clasp is selectively movable to a release position wherein the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet teeth to selectively extend the length of the bridge;
• and
• the buckle formed of a second molded material comprising polyethylene, the second molded material having less rigidity than the first molded material.