Headset-accommodating, load-balancing, helmet strap system

Abstract

A self load-balancing, headset-wearing accommodating helmet strap system useable with a helmet shell having front, rear and opposite lateral sides, and including (a) a chin-strap cinching subsystem having (1) a pair of opposite-side, elongate, flexible, lateral strap elements intended for use on opposite lateral sides of such a helmet shell, and (2) an elongate chin-engaging component with opposite ends slideably mounted on and between the opposite ends of different ones of the lateral strap elements, and (b), for each of the lateral strap elements, a pair of attaching devices, with one such device being designed for attaching one end of a lateral strap element adjacent an associated front lateral side of a helmet shell, and the other attaching device being designed for attaching the other end of the same lateral strap element adjacent an associated rear lateral side of the helmet shell. The system of the invention accommodates other helmet-internal componentry (namely, a suspension and attached load-cushioning pads) in a manner easily enabling lateral self-load-balancing of an entire helmet system, and in a context which also accommodates the non-interfering wearing of an audio communication headset.

1 . A self load-balancing, headset-clearance-accommodating helmet strap system useable with a helmet shell having front, rear and opposite lateral sides, said strap system, in operative condition, comprising 
 a chin-strap cinching subsystem including (a) a pair of opposite-side, elongate, flexible, lateral strap elements intended for use on opposite lateral sides of such a helmet shell, and each having opposite ends, and (b) an elongate chin-engaging component also having opposite ends each slideably mounted on a different one of said lateral strap elements between the opposite ends of these elements, and    for each of said lateral strap elements, a pair of attaching devices effectively mounted on such a helmet shell, with one attaching device being designed for attaching one end of a lateral strap element operatively adjacent an associated front lateral side of a helmet shell, and the other attaching device being designed for attaching the other end of the same lateral strap element operatively adjacent an associated rear lateral side of the helmet shell.    
   
   
       2 . The helmet strap system of  claim 1 , wherein each said one attaching device which is associated with the one end of the associated lateral strap element furnishes, relative to that strap element's long axis, a pivotal-style mounting for that one end.  
   
   
       3 . The helmet strap system of  claim 2 , wherein each said one attaching device additionally furnishes a laterally slideable mounting for the associated lateral strap end.  
   
   
       4 . The helmet strap system of  claim 3 , wherein each said other attaching device which is associated with the other end of the associated lateral strap element furnishes, relative to that strap element's long axis, a pull-to-cinch-and-tighten, friction-action mounting for that other strap end.  
   
   
       5 . The helmet strap system of  claim 1  which further comprises a collection of plural load-cushioning pads removeably and adjustably deployable within the inside of such a helmet shell in manner enabling selective adjustment of the pads between one condition affording a lateral clearance path for the head strap of a headset, and another condition effectively closing that path.