Helmet Jaw Guard

Abstract

A jaw protection panel or guard is formed with a shape that includes a body that is symmetrical in one or more different lines or planes of the body. This symmetry enables the guard to be secured to either side of a helmet in order to provide enhanced protection to the side of the jaw and face of the wearer of the helmet without the need for multiple guards configured for exclusive use on one side of the helmet.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for attaching a jaw guard to a helmet, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a jaw guard comprising a body having line symmetry along at least one dimension of the body; and   b) securing the jaw guard to one side of the helmet.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the jaw guard includes a number of apertures formed therein and spaced from one another, and wherein the line of symmetry is positioned between the number of apertures. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the line of symmetry bisects the number of apertures. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the helmet includes at least one ear flap including a number of bores defined therein, and wherein the step of securing the jaw guard comprises:
 a) aligning the apertures with the number of bores in the ear flap; and 
 b) engaging the body with the ear flap. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the step of aligning the apertures with the number of bores comprises positioning the line of symmetry of the body between the bores in the ear flap. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the line of symmetry bisects the bores when the apertures are aligned with the bores. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the helmet includes a pair of ear flaps disposed on opposed sides of the helmet, each ear flap including a number of bores defined therein, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
 a) disengaging the jaw guard from the ear flap on one side of the helmet; and 
 b) securing the jaw guard to an ear flap on the opposite side of the helmet. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the step of securing the jaw guard to the ear flap on the opposite side of the helmet comprises
 a) aligning the apertures with the number of bores in the ear flap; and 
 b) engaging the body with the ear flap.