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 Title: |
US4651356:
Helmet chin strap
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Zide, Robert M.; Williamstown, WV
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| Assignee: |
Pro-Line, Inc., Marietta, OH
other patents from PRO-LINE, INC. (456070) (approx. 9)
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| Published / Filed: |
1987-03-24
/ 1986-03-12
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| Application Number: |
US1986000839025
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
A42B 3/08;
Core:
A42B 3/04;
IPC-7:
A42B 3/00;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
002/421;
002/425;
Original:
002/421;
002/425;
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| Field of Search: |
002/421,9,424,425,5,6,7,10,410,411,412,414
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| Priority Number: |
| 1986-03-12 |
US1986000839025 |
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| Abstract: |
A unitized chin strap for football helmets and the like is molded from an elastomer possessing elastic memory. The device includes a protective chin cup which is curved on two axes and is adapted to receive an apertured chin cushioning pad which allows the tip of the chin to be safely suspended in a space defined by the chin strap cup. The cup gradually diminishes in thickness and rigidity from the center of the cup toward its marginal edge. Divergent axis relatively flexible and somewhat stretchable straps are joined to the sides of the chin cup by relatively wide twist-resistant strap-to-cup joint portions. Conventional buckles having snap fastener components are slidably engaged on the straps of the device to provide a secure four point attachment of the chin strap to a helmet. The device substantially eliminates movement of the helmet on the head during use, thereby greatly reducing the likelihood of severe injury.
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Nerbun, Peter;
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 6 claims |
I claim:
1. A helmet chin strap of unitary construction formed by molding of an elastomer comprising a chin cup which is stiff and contoured to fit the chin on two axes and being elongated in a direction across the width of the chin, the chin cup having a wall thickness which gradually diminishes from a maximum thickness region near the center of the cup toward the margin of the cup so that the marginal region of the cup is less rigid than its center portion, wide connecting portions integrally joined with the ends of the chin cup and being short in length along the longitudinal axis of the cup and being inherently stiff and twist-resistant, comparatively narrow relatively flexible elongated strap extensions integrally joined to said connecting portions and being arranged in diverging pairs, said strap extensions being adapted to carry thereon adjustable fasteners which coact with mating fasteners on opposite sides of a helmet, chin cushion means within said chin cup adapted to firmly engage the chin when the chin strap is in a use condition on a helmet, said chin cushion means comprising an apertured compressible chin cushion held within the chin cup and conforming to the contour of the interior of the cup and defining therewith a space within the cup where the chin of a user of the chin strap is suspended in spaced protected relationship to the interior surface of the chin cup, and said chin cushion including an exterior layer of comparatively dense cellular cushioning material, an intermediate layer of less dense and more yielding cellular cushioning material, and an inner comparatively thin sheet of material having properties promoting comfortable and safe engagement of the chin cushion with the skin of the chin of a user of the chin strap.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 23 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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