Molded articles and molding methods particularly for a protective helmet
AssigneeFox Head, Inc.
InventorBrendan Erik Pierce
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Protective structures, such as helmets, may have a shell including an outer shell and a tunnel element integral to the outer shell. The tunnel element may have a first opening at an outer surface side of the shell and a second opening at an inner surface side of the shell so that air flow may occur between the openings and wherein the tunnel element is fused to the outer shell. An impact liner may be directly in-molded to shells suitable for use in motorcycle helmets and other helmets that must meet certain standards. The impact liner may include one or more venting channels that are coupled to a tunnel integral to the shell structure.
Claims24
A shell for a protective helmet comprising:
- an outer shell and a tunnel element integral to the outer shell, the tunnel element having a first opening at an outer surface side of the shell and a second opening at an inner surface side of the shell so that air flow may occur between the openings;
- an interface of resinated composite lay-up materials that integrates the tunnel element and the outer shell together;
- and
- wherein the tunnel element comprises a hollow tubular structure running generally longitudinally from a front portion to at least a middle portion of the helmet, so that the tunnel element provides an air tunnel positioned substantially within and integral with the outer shell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.