Helmet assembly

Abstract

A helmet assembly comprising a helmet shell, a fit system detachably coupled to the helmet shell, and a retention system coupled to the helmet shell independent of the fit system. The fit system is configured to stabilize the helmet shell on the wearer's head. The retention system is configured to retain the helmet shell on the wearer's head and to stabilize the helmet shell on the wearer's head when the fit system is removed from the helmet shell. The retention system may include a stabilizer configured to extend in a circumferential direction about a rear portion of the wearer's head to stabilize the helmet shell on the wearer's head. The stabilizer may couple segments of the retention system together so as to restrict separation of the segments from each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A helmet assembly comprising:
 a helmet shell;   a fit system detachably coupled to the helmet shell, the fit system configured to stabilize the helmet shell on the wearer's head; and   a retention system coupled to the helmet shell independent of the fit system, the retention system being configured to retain the helmet shell on the wearer's head, the retention system including a stabilizer configured to extend in a circumferential direction about a rear portion of the wearer's head to stabilize the helmet shell on the wearer's head when the fit system is removed from the helmet shell.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the retention system includes a pair of first strap segments and a pair of second strap segments, the first strap segments attached to first regions of the helmet shell along opposite side portions thereof, the second strap segments attached to second regions of the helmet shell which are spaced apart along a rear portion thereof, the stabilizer coupling the second strap segments together at a location spaced away from the second regions of the helmet shell to restrict separation of the second strap segments from each other. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the first and second strap segments includes a first end and a second end, the first ends of the first and second strap segments being attached to the helmet shell, the second strap segments being coupled together at a location between the first and second ends thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the second ends of the first and second strap segments located on one side of the helmet shell are coupled together and the second ends of the first and second strap segments located on an opposite side of the helmet shell are coupled together. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the fit system is configured to cooperate with the retention system to stabilize the helmet shell on the wearer's head. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer of the retention system includes an occipital pad configured to be positioned adjacent the occipital region of the wearer's head. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the occipital pad couples the second strap segments together to restrict separation of the second strap segments from each other. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the occipital pad is detachably connectable to the fit system. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the fit system includes an adjustable fit band extending circumferentially about at least a portion of the helmet shell. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the fit band includes a pair of free ends which are detachably coupled to the helmet shell. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the retention system is attached to first regions of the helmet shell along opposite side portions thereof and to second regions of the helmet shell which are spaced apart along a rear portion thereof, the free ends of the fit band being detachably coupled to third regions of the helmet shell located forward of the first regions of the helmet shell. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the adjustable fit band includes a first band segment and a second band segment adjustably coupled together so as to permit adjustment of the length of the fit band. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the fit band includes an adjuster configured to adjust the first and second band members relative to each other. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the adjuster is rotatable to adjust the first and second band members. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the fit band includes an occipital portion that is configured to be positioned adjacent the occipital region of the wearer's head. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the retention system includes an occipital pad configured to be positioned adjacent the occipital region of the wearer's head, the occipital portion of the fit band being positionable between the occipital pad and the helmet shell. 
     
     
         17 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the occipital portion of the fit band is detachably connectable to the occipital pad of the helmet shell. 
     
     
         18 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the fit band includes at least one stabilizing arm to couple the occipital portion to the helmet shell. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the stabilizing arm is configured to be adjustably coupled to the helmet shell to adjust the position of the occipital portion of the fit band relative to the occipital region of the wearer's head. 
     
     
         20 . The helmet assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least one stabilizing arm includes a pair of stabilizing arms adjustably coupled to the helmet shell. 
     
     
         21 . A method of adjusting a helmet assembly to a wearer's head, the helmet assembly including a helmet shell, a fit system detachably coupled to the helmet shell, and a retention system coupled to the helmet shell independent of the fit system, the fit system configured to stabilize the helmet shell on the wearer's head, the retention system configured to retain the helmet shell on the wearer's head, the retention system including a stabilizer configured to extend in a circumferential direction about a rear portion of the wearer's head to stabilize the helmet shell on the wearer's head when the fit system is removed from the helmet shell, the method comprising acts of:
 (a) removing the fit system from the helmet shell; and   (b) wearing the helmet assembly without the fit system.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the retention system includes a pair of first strap segments and a pair of second strap segments, the first strap segments being attached to first regions of the helmet shell along opposite side portions thereof, the second strap segments being attached to second regions of the helmet shell which are spaced apart along a rear portion thereof, the stabilizer coupling the second strap segments together at a location spaced away from the second regions of the helmet shell to restrict separation of the second strap segments from each other. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the stabilizer of the retention system includes an occipital pad, and act (b) includes positioning the occipital pad adjacent the occipital region of the wearer's head. 
     
     
         24 . The method assembly according to  claim 23 , wherein act (b) includes stabilizing the helmet shell on the wearer's head at least in part using the occipital pad. 
     
     
         25 . The method assembly according to  claim 23 , wherein act (b) includes adjusting the retention system so as to retain and stabilize the helmet assembly on the wearer's head.