Quick release connector

A quick release connector for securing a faceguard to a protective sports helmet, the connector comprising:

• a bracket with an aperture and at least one channel configured to receive an extent of the faceguard;
• a releasable coupler mechanism that extends through an opening in the helmet to secure the faceguard to the helmet in a use position, the releasable coupler mechanism including:
• a washer having a main body that extends substantially perpendicular from a flange of the washer, the main body having an opening and extending into and positioned within the helmet opening in the use position;
• an elongated body that extends through the bracket and the helmet opening in the use position, and wherein an extent of the elongated body is received by the opening of the washer in the use position;
• and,
• a head operably connected to the elongated body and positioned within the bracket in the use position;
• and,
• wherein an actuation force is applied to the head to rapidly move the releasable coupler mechanism from the use position to a disconnected position that allows for the rapid removal of the coupler mechanism to permit the faceguard to be displaced with respect to the helmet.

A sports helmet comprising:

• a shell;
• a faceguard;
• a faceguard connector assembly having a bracket and a releasable coupler mechanism that extends through both the bracket and an opening in the shell to secure the faceguard to the shell in a use position, the releasable coupler mechanism including:
• a washer having a main body that extends substantially perpendicular from a flange of the washer, the main body having an opening and extending into and positioned within the shell opening in the use position;
• an elongated body that extends through the bracket and the shell opening in the use position, and wherein an extent of the elongated body is received by the opening of the washer in the use position;
• a head operably connected to the elongated body and positioned within the bracket in the use position;
• and,
• a spring operably connected to the elongated body, wherein the spring exerts a biasing force on the head in the use position,
• wherein an actuation force is applied to the head to rapidly move the releasable coupler mechanism from the use position to a disconnected position that allows for the rapid removal of the bracket from the shell, and,
• wherein the spring is compressed an extent when the actuation force is applied to the head to move the coupler mechanism from the use position.

A football helmet, comprising:

• a shell having an opening;
• a faceguard;
• a first quick release connector assembly that secures the faceguard to the shell in a use position, the first quick release connector assembly including:
• a bracket having a tab, the bracket encircling a portion of the faceguard, the tab having a recess and an opening;
• a washer lacking threads and having a main body that extends from a flange of the washer, the main body of the washer having an opening;
• an elongated body lacking threads and having:
• (i) a first segment with a first outer diameter and (ii) a second segment with a second outer diameter, and wherein the first outer diameter of the elongated body is different than the second outer diameter of the elongated body;
• a head connected to the elongated body, the head having an outer diameter that is greater than both the outer diameter of the elongated body and the opening in the tab of the bracket;
• wherein in the use position:
• (i) an extent of the main body of the washer is positioned within the opening in the shell;
• (ii) the elongated body extends through the opening in the tab of the bracket;
• (iii) the elongated body extends through the opening in the shell;
• (iv) the elongated body extends into the opening in the main body of the washer;
• and
• (v) the head is substantially within the recess in the tab of the bracket;
• and
• wherein the quick release connector assembly is movable from the use position to a disconnected position by the application of an inwardly directed force that is applied to the head to disconnect the elongated body from the washer, thereby allowing for the rapid removal of the bracket from the shell.

A football helmet, comprising:

• a shell having an opening;
• a faceguard;
• a first quick release connector assembly that secures the faceguard to the shell in a use position, the first quick release connector assembly including:
• a bracket having a tab, the bracket encircling a portion of the faceguard, the tab having a recess and an opening;
• a washer lacking threads and having a main body that extends from a flange of the washer, the main body of the washer having both a central opening and an internal engaging structure;
• an elongated body lacking threads and having:
• (i) a first segment with a first outer diameter and (ii) a second segment having both an engaging structure and a second outer diameter, and wherein the first outer diameter of the elongated body is different than the second outer diameter of the elongated body;
• a head connected to the elongated body, the head having an outer diameter that is greater than both the outer diameter of the elongated body and the opening in the tab of the bracket;
• a spring retained by a notch formed between the first segment of the elongated body and the second segment of the elongated body;
• wherein in the use position:
• (i) an extent of the washer flange engages an inner surface of the shell;
• (ii) the elongated body extends through the opening in the tab of the bracket and through the opening in the shell;
• (iii) the second segment of the elongated body extends into the opening in the main body of the washer;
• (iv) the second segment of the elongated body does not extent through the flange of the washer;
• (v) the head is substantially within the recess in the tab of the bracket;
• and
• (vi) the spring exerts a biasing force to prevent disengagement of the internal engaging structure of the washer from the engaging structure of the second segment of the elongated body.