Magnetic quick-release mechanism

Abstract

A quick-release fastener for attaching helmet components such as facemasks and visors to a protective helmet. The quick release fastener or mechanism includes a securing mechanism having magnetic components to facilitate quick removal of the helmet component with minimal movement to the player's head and neck via magnetic biasing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A securing mechanism comprising:
 a fastener, the fastener comprising an internal passage and a plurality of openings;   a core pin, the core pin movable within the internal passage of the fastener between an unlocked state and a locked state, the core pin comprising a first magnetic component;   a base, the base comprising an interior surface defining a securing passage dimensioned to receive a portion of the fastener, the base comprising a second magnetic component pulling the core pin towards the locked state by attracting the first magnetic component; and   a plurality of solid bodies, at least a portion of the plurality of solid bodies disposed within a portion of the plurality of openings, the plurality of solid bodies pushed by the core pin towards the interior surface of the base from the plurality of openings of the fastener to prevent separation of the fastener from the base responsive to the core pin moving into the locked state.   
     
     
         2 . The securing mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein each solid body of the plurality of solid bodies is spherical. 
     
     
         3 . The securing mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the securing passage of the base comprises an inner ring configured to engage the plurality of solid bodies in the locked state. 
     
     
         4 . The securing mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener further comprises a third magnetic component that pulls the core pin towards the unlocked state by attracting the first magnetic component. 
     
     
         5 . The securing mechanism of  claim 4 , wherein the unlocked state is a default state of the fastener when the fastener is not inserted into the base. 
     
     
         6 . The securing mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein an instrument comprising a third magnetic component pulls the core pin into the unlocked state by attracting the first magnetic component of the core pin. 
     
     
         7 . The securing mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein the instrument facilitates removal of the fastener from the base. 
     
     
         8 . The securing mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener further comprises a flange cap that is removably secured to a proximal end of the fastener. 
     
     
         9 . The securing mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises a flange, the flange extending perpendicularly away from at least a portion of the base. 
     
     
         10 . The securing mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the flange cap comprises a driving surface for engaging a tool that rotates the flange cap relative to a body of the fastener. 
     
     
         11 . The securing mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the flange cap is removed from the fastener such that the core pin is extracted from the fastener and the fastener is removed from the base. 
     
     
         12 . The securing mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the securing mechanism further comprises an inner ring. 
     
     
         13 . The securing mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the interior surface of the base further comprises a plurality of recesses, the plurality of recesses align with the plurality of openings of the fastener. 
     
     
         14 . A component assembly comprising:
 a component, the component having a first opening and a second opening; and   a plurality of release mechanisms, each of the plurality of release mechanisms comprises a fastener, a core pin, a base, and a plurality of solid bodies;
 wherein the fastener comprises an internal passage and a plurality of openings; 
 wherein the core pin movable within the internal passage of the fastener between an unlocked state and a locked state, the core pin having a first magnetic component positioned adjacent to at least one end of the core pin; 
 wherein the base comprising an interior surface defining a securing passage dimensioned to receive a portion of the fastener, the base comprising a second magnetic component pulling the core pin towards the locked state by attracting the first magnetic component; 
 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of solid bodies disposed within a portion of the plurality of openings, the plurality of solid bodies pushed by the core pin towards the interior surface of the base from the plurality of openings of the fastener to prevent separation of the fastener from the base responsive to the core pin moving into the locked state; and 
 wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of release mechanisms releasably coupled to the component. 
   
     
     
         15 . The component assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the component comprises a visor, a facemask or a chincup. 
     
     
         16 . A protective helmet assembly comprising:
 a helmet;   a component, the component having a first opening and a second opening; and   a plurality of release mechanisms, each of the plurality of release mechanisms comprises a fastener, a core pin, a base, and a plurality of solid bodies;
 wherein the fastener comprises an internal passage and a plurality of openings; 
 wherein the core pin movable within the internal passage of the fastener between an unlocked state and a locked state, the core pin having a first magnetic component positioned adjacent to at least one end of the core pin; 
 wherein the base comprising an interior surface defining a securing passage dimensioned to receive a portion of the fastener, the base comprising a second magnetic component pulling the core pin towards the locked state by attracting the first magnetic component; 
 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of solid bodies disposed within a portion of the plurality of openings, the plurality of solid bodies pushed by the core pin towards the interior surface of the base from the plurality of openings of the fastener to prevent separation of the fastener from the base responsive to the core pin moving into the locked state; 
 wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of release mechanisms disposed within a first opening and a second opening of the components; and 
 wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of release mechanisms and the component releasably coupled to the helmet.