System for reducing sound in a sports protective helmet

Abstract

Systems for reducing the decibel levels of sound originated external to a sports protective helmet may minimize deleterious effects to the hearing of the individual wearing the sports protective helmet. Through use of a sound reducing object, whether placed in the interior of the sports protective helmet or external to the sports protective helmet, decibel volumes may be reduced across key frequencies that reach human ears while still allowing a player to hear. The result is substantial reduction in hearing loss related to sporting activities.

1 . A system for reducing sound in a sports protective helmet, the system comprising:
 at least one sound-reducing object formed of a baffle; and   at least one opening in the sports protective helmet in proximity to a wearer's ear that receives the at least one sound-reducing object at an angle,   wherein the at least one sound-reducing object diffracts medium-to-high-frequency sound away from the at least one opening of the sports protective helmet while allowing human voice frequency sound to pass through to be heard by the wearer of the sports protective helmet.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sound-reducing object is inserted inside the sports protective helmet. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sound-reducing object is placed in a position external to the sports protective helmet. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle is oval-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sound-reducing object provides a smooth, hard surface and is formed from one or more materials that channel air or sound vibrations in a desired direction. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more materials are selected from the group comprising:
 plastic, foam, wood, composite, and/or carbon fiber.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , the at least one sound-reducing object further comprising:
 a ring-shaped portion that receives the baffle.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the ring-shaped portion and the baffle are formed as separate components that are adhered or attached to one another. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the ring-shaped portion and the baffle are integrally formed. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sound-reducing object partially covers the at least one opening. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the ring-shaped portion of the at least one sound-reducing object has a shape similar to a shape of the at least one opening. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one sound-reducing object is positioned at an angle relative to the ring-shaped portion in the at least one opening. 
     
     
         13 . A sound-reducing object for a sports protective helmet, the sound-reducing object comprising:
 a baffle; and   a ring-shaped portion that receives the baffle, the ring-shaped portion and baffle positioned relative to an opening in the sports protective helmet in proximity to a wearer's ear,   wherein the sound-reducing object diffracts medium-to-high-frequency sound away from the opening of the sports protective helmet.   
     
     
         14 . The sound-reducing object of  claim 13 , wherein the sound-reducing object allows human voice frequency sound to pass through to be heard by the wearer of the sports protective helmet. 
     
     
         15 . The sound-reducing object of  claim 13 , wherein the sound-reducing object is inserted inside the sports protective helmet. 
     
     
         16 . The sound-reducing object of  claim 13 , wherein the sound-reducing object is placed in a position external to the sports protective helmet. 
     
     
         17 . The sound-reducing object of  claim 13 , wherein the sound-reducing object partially covers the opening. 
     
     
         18 . The sound-reducing object of  claim 13 , wherein the sound-reducing object fully covers or blocks the opening. 
     
     
         19 . A sound-reducing object for a sports protective helmet, the sound-reducing object comprising:
 a baffle positioned relative an opening in the sports protective helmet in proximity to a wearer's ear,   wherein the at least one sound-reducing object provides a smooth, hard surface and is formed from one or more materials that channel air or sound vibrations in a desired direction, and   wherein the sound-reducing object diffracts medium-to-high-frequency sound away from the at least one opening the sports protective helmet.   
     
     
         20 . The sound-reducing object of  claim 19 , the sound-reducing object further comprising:
 a ring-shaped portion that receives the baffle.