1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to safety devices, specifically to a helmet having a safety buckle system.
2. Description of the Related Art
A helmet is a form of protective gear worn on the head to protect it from injuries. All helmets attempt to protect the user's head by absorbing mechanical energy and protecting against penetration. Their structure and protective capacity are altered in high-energy impacts. Beside their energy-absorption capability, their volume and weight are also important issues, since higher volume and weight increase the injury risk for the user's head and neck. Anatomical helmets adapted to the inner head structure were invented by neurosurgeons at the end of the 20th century.
Helmets used for different purposes have different designs. For example, a bicycle helmet must protect against blunt impact forces from the wearer's head striking the road. A helmet designed for rock climbing must protect against heavy impact, and against objects such as small rocks and climbing equipment falling from above. Practical concerns also dictate helmet design: a bicycling helmet should be aerodynamic in shape and well ventilated, while a rock climbing helmet must be lightweight and small so that it does not interfere with climbing.
In addition, a football helmet is a protective device used primarily in American football and Canadian football. It consists of a hard plastic top with thick padding on the inside, a face mask made of one or more rubber coated metal bars, and a chinstrap. Some players add polycarbonate visors to their helmets, which are used to protect eyes from glare and impacts. Helmets are a requirement at all levels of organized football, except for non-tackle variations such as flag football. Although they are protective, players can and do still suffer head injuries such as a concussion. Each position has a different type of face mask to balance protection and visibility.
Some improvements have been made in the field. Examples of references related to the present invention are described below in their own words, and the supporting teachings of each reference are incorporated by reference herein:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,156, issued to Anderson, discloses a Safety Helmet Lockout System comprised of a safety helmet with a uniquely keyed system contained within its cranial webbing and chinstrap that has the ability to sense when said helmet is securely strapped upon the wearers head. The chinstrap contains a locking buckle which releases a uniquely keyed enabling key and/or a signal upon sensing that said safety helmet is securely strapped upon the wearers head. Several means of sensing are possible, but the preferred embodiment employs physio sensors located within the cranial webbing and chinstrap of said safety helmet. The locking buckle which is located on the chinstrap, releases said enabling key or signal after receiving signals from all the physio sensors, and sensing tension in the chinstrap. The released enabling key, or emitted signal, can then be used to access vehicles, sporting goods, industrial equipment, tools, passage locks, and the like. The access locks can range from simple ignition locks and passage locks, to retracting pin or keyed brake systems, keyed clutch systems, and specialty lockout systems for certain applications (such as, but not limited to, skiis, snowboards, and snowmobiles).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,946,735, issued to Bayes, discloses a quick-release football helmet chin strap that incorporates the use of a hook and loop fastener to tighten the strap and secure the helmet to the player's head. Intended for use on newly produced helmets and replacing the snap-type fasteners on existing helmets, the use of the hook and loop fasteners eliminates the burden associated with using the snap fasteners during the frequent between-play attachment and detachment.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,279,037, issued to Morgan, discloses an adjustable suspension for protective headgear wherein a constantly uniform tension on all securing members of the suspension can be simultaneously increased or decreased uniformly through a one-step tension control device without removing the headgear from the wearer's head. A chin-strapless embodiment which anchors against vertical displacement on the forehead and skull base. Detachable chin strap with concealed dual locking fastener. A headgear wherein the protective elements are supported by an adjustable, detachable suspension.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No.: 2010/0319701, by Connell, discloses a respirator assembly has a respirator mask and a separate bracing device. The bracing device has a pressure element mountable over a frontpiece of the respirator mask, which bears against that frontpiece to hold the respirator mask against the face of a user. The bracing device also has two connection portions, each having one end attached to the pressure element and the other end being for attaching the bracing device to a helmet worn by the user. The connection portions are extendable. Thus, shortening or distending the connection portions reduces the distance between the helmet and the respirator mask and thereby causes the pressure element to bear against the frontpiece of the respirator mask, compressing the user's head between the helmet and the mask and thereby holding the mask against the user's face.
The inventions heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantages which include being unsafe, being unable to securely couple a helmet to a wearer, being difficult to use, being uncomfortable, being unable to securely couple a chin strap to a helmet; being easily removed; being easily knocked off; coming unsnapped on impact; coming uncoupled when pressure is applied on the strap in a forward direction; being difficult to detach; and the like.
What is needed is a helmet that solves one or more of the problems described herein and/or one or more problems that may come to the attention of one skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with this specification.