Helmet retention system

Abstract

The present application discloses a helmet, a helmet retention system, and a method of adjusting a helmet. In certain embodiments, the helmet comprises a helmet shell and a helmet retention system. The retention system comprises a rear portion connected to the rear of the helmet shell, first and second straps extending from the rear portion to a front portion of the helmet shell, and an adjustment device attached to the rear portion for adjusting the length of the first and second straps between the rear portion and the front portion of the helmet shell to tighten and loosen the straps about the head of the user. Each strap comprises a strap segment and an elongated member attached to the strap segment. The adjustment device is configured to selectively adjust the elongated member to move the first and second strap segments relative to the helmet shell.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A helmet, comprising:
 a helmet shell; and   a retention system attached to the helmet shell, the retention system comprising a rear portion connected to the rear of the helmet shell, first and second straps extending from the rear portion to a front portion of the helmet shell, and an adjustment device attached to the rear portion for adjusting the length of the first and second straps between the rear portion and the front portion of the helmet shell;   wherein each strap comprises a strap segment and an elongated member attached to the strap segment, and wherein the elongated member is attached to both strap segments;   wherein the adjustment device is configured to selectively adjust the elongated member to move the first and second strap segments relative to the helmet shell and adjust the length of the first and second straps between the rear portion and the front portion of the helmet shell to tighten and loosen the straps about the head of the user.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated member extends from the adjustment device through a first routing portion of the first strap segment, through a first securing member of the helmet, back through the first routing portion, through part of the rear portion, through a second routing portion of the second strap segment, through a second securing member of the helmet, back through the second routing portion, and returns to the adjustment device. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second routing portions are configured to attach the elongated member to the first and second strap segments, respectively, and permit the elongated member to move relative to the first and second strap segments. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second securing members each comprise a strap segment that is configured to be attached to the helmet and a clip that movably attaches the elongated member to the strap segment. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second securing members are attached to the right and left temple portions of the helmet, respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet of  claim 2 , wherein the elongated member extends through the rear portion to facilitate tightening of the rear portion against the rear of the user's head. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second straps are tightened against the right and left sides, respectively, of the user's head and the rear portion is pulled in a direction forward and upward against the rear of the user's head when the elongated member is retracted into the adjustment device. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated member is movably attached to the first and second strap segments. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the elongated member is movably attached to the rear portion. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet of  claim 9 , wherein the elongated member is at least one of a wire, lace, and belt. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet of  claim 9 , wherein the adjustment device is a lacing device and the elongated member is a single piece of lace, and wherein both ends of the lace terminate at the lacing device. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet of  claim 11 , wherein the lace extends from the lacing device through a first routing portion of the first strap segment, through a first securing member attached to a right temple portion of the helmet, back through the first routing portion, through part of the rear portion, through a second routing portion of the second strap segment, through a second securing member attached to a left temple portion of the helmet, back through the second routing portion, and returns to the lacing device. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet of  claim 12 , wherein the lace is moved in a first direction through the routing portions and the securing members when the lace is retracted into the lacing device to: pull the first and second strap segments toward the first and second securing members; tighten the first and second straps against the right and left sides of the user's head; and pull the rear portion in a direction forward and upward against the rear of the user's head to fit the retention system around the circumference of the user's head and stabilize the helmet shell on the user's head. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet of  claim 13 , wherein the lace is moved in a second direction through the routing portions and the securing members when the lace is released by the lacing device such that the first and second strap segments are permitted to move away from the first and second securing members and the first and second straps are loosened to facilitate removal of the helmet shell from the user's head. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the rear portion extends below a rear edge of the helmet shell such that it is exposed and accessible to the user when wearing the helmet. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the retention system further comprises comfort pads at least partially surrounding the first and second straps and the rear portion comprises a padding material and a covering. 
     
     
         17 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the retention system comprises: a chin portion configured to receive the chin of a person wearing the helmet; a pair of third straps extending from the chin portion to the rear portion, wherein the length of each third strap between the chin portion and the rear portion is selectively adjustable; and a pair of fourth straps extending from the chin portion to the right and left front portions of the helmet shell, wherein the length of each fourth strap between the chin portion and the front portions of the helmet is selectively adjustable. 
     
     
         18 . The helmet of  claim 17 , wherein the pair of third straps and the pair of fourth straps are selectively adjustable independent of the first and second straps. 
     
     
         19 . A retention system for a helmet, comprising:
 a padded portion connected to the rear of the helmet;   a pair of first straps extending from the padded portion to right and left temple portions of the helmet, wherein each first strap comprises a strap segment extending from the padded portion and a lace portion attached to the strap segment, and wherein the lace portion is attached to both strap segments;   a pair of securing members attached to the right and left temple portions of the helmet, wherein the securing members movably attach the lace portion to the helmet; and   a lacing device attached to the padded portion and configured to selectively adjust the length of the first straps between the padded portion and the temple portions of the helmet, wherein the lacing device is configured to selectively adjust the lace portion to move the strap segments relative to the securing members and adjust the length of the first straps between the padded portion and the temple portions of the helmet to tighten and loosen the first straps about the head of the user.   
     
     
         20 . The retention system of  claim 19  further comprising a chin portion configured to receive the chin of a person wearing the helmet, a pair of second straps extending from the chin portion to the padded portion, wherein the length of each second strap between the chin portion and the padded portion is selectively adjustable; and a pair of third straps extending from the chin portion to the right and left front portions of the helmet shell, wherein the length of each third strap between the chin portion and the front portions of the helmet is selectively adjustable. 
     
     
         21 . The helmet of  claim 17 , wherein the pair of second straps and the pair of third straps are selectively adjustable independent of the first straps. 
     
     
         22 . A method of adjusting a helmet, comprising the steps of:
 utilizing a retention system attached to a helmet shell to stabilize a helmet on a user's head, the retention system comprising a rear portion connected to the rear of the helmet shell, first and second straps extending from the rear portion to a front portion of the helmet shell, and an adjustment device attached to the rear portion for adjusting the length of the first and second straps between the rear portion and the front portion of the helmet shell, wherein each strap comprises a strap segment and an elongated member attached to the strap segment and movable relative to the helmet shell, and wherein the elongated member is attached to both strap segments; and   using the adjustment device to selectively adjust the elongated member and move the first and second strap segments relative to the helmet shell to adjust the length of the first and second straps between the rear portion and the front portion of the helmet shell to tighten and loosen the straps about the head of the user.