The present invention generally relates to a device which eliminates wind rushing noise between a crash helmet and face shield structures.
With the ever increasing popularity of relatively high speed motorcycles, conventional protective helmets, while satisfactory to a certain degree, do not satisfy the requirements of all users of such equipment. One type of helmet commonly used is a type which protects the face of the motorcycle operator by providing a partial cylindrical transparent face shield. The periphery of the face shield overlaps the helmet shell and is fixedly secured thereto by a plurality of fasteners such as rivets or any suitable type of releasable fastener such as a screw threaded fastener, snap fastener or the like which would enable the face shield to be removed or replaced in the event of damage thereto. The bottom edge of the face shield and the crash helmet surrounding the rider's upper neck are open so as to provide access to the interior of the helmet and face shield assembly to facilitate it being placed on the head of the wearer and removed therefrom.
With the most common types of crash helmets equipped with transparent face shields available today, a gap or space up to one-half (1/2) inch in width exists between the periphery of the face shield where it overlaps and is affixed to the helmet with fasteners, and the underlying front leading edge of the helmet itself. As the cyclist proceeds forward, wind rushing through this gap passes down over the face and ears as it exits out of the bottom of the helmet and affixed face shield surrounding the upper neck. This wind flow disturbance behind the face shield and surrounding helmet results in eye irritation and annoying noise which increases in intensity as the cyclist goes faster and faster. The present invention eliminates this eye irritating and noisy wind flow disturbance while still allowing a milder airflow to promote comfort and help prevent fogging of the face shield.