Strap Systems and Methods for Vented Helmets

Abstract

A helmet is provided that can include a body defining a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a first lateral end and a second lateral end opposite the first lateral end. The body further defines one or more vents extending therethrough. The helmet also includes a structure at least partially embedded in the body and encircling at least one vent of the one or more vents, and a strap hanger coupled to the structure.

1 . A helmet comprising:
 a body defining a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a first lateral end and a second lateral end opposite the first lateral end, the body further defining one or more vents extending therethrough;   a structure at least partially embedded in the body and encircling at least one vent of the one or more vents; and   a strap hanger coupled to the structure.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is a cage. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet of  claim 2 , wherein the cage comprises:
 multiple longitudinal beams that extend between the rear end and the front end; and   a transverse beam that extends between the first lateral end and the second lateral end, the transverse beam being coupled to one or more of the multiple longitudinal beams,   wherein the one or more vents are situated between different pairs of adjacent longitudinal beams of the multiple longitudinal beams.   
     
     
         4 . The helmet of  claim 3 , wherein the body fully encapsulates the multiple longitudinal beams of the cage and partially encapsulates the transverse beam. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet of  claim 4 , wherein the transverse beam extends through at least one of the one or more vents. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is a butterfly. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet of  claim 6 , wherein the butterfly comprises a front butterfly located within the body proximate the front end and a rear butterfly located within the body proximate the rear end. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the strap hanger comprises:
 a clip;   a strap receiver configured to receive a strap therethrough; and   webbing that connects the clip to the strap receiver.   
     
     
         9 . The helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the clip is configured to snap onto the structure via a press-fit engagement. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the strap hanger is partially encapsulated by the body, and the strap receiver remains exposed outside of the body to receive the strap therethough after the strap hanger is partially encapsulated by the body. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the clip, the strap, and the webbing are integrally formed. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the strap hanger includes a first front strap hanger located near the front end along the first lateral end, a second front strap hanger located near the front end along the second lateral end, a first rear strap hanger located near the rear end along the first lateral end, and a second rear strap hanger located near the rear end along the second lateral end. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet of  claim 12 , wherein the first front strap hanger and the first rear strap hanger are identical. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the strap hanger is made of plastic. 
     
     
         15 . A helmet comprising:
 a body defining one or more vents extending therethrough;   a cage at least partially embedded in the body and encircling at least one vent of the one or more vents; and   a strap hanger coupled to the cage.   
     
     
         16 . The helmet of  claim 15 , wherein the strap hanger comprises:
 a clip;   a strap receiver configured to receive a strap therethrough; and   webbing that connects the clip to the strap receiver.   
     
     
         17 . The helmet of  claim 16 , wherein the clip snaps onto the cage via a press-fit engagement. 
     
     
         18 . The helmet of  claim 16 , wherein the clip includes two clips that each snap onto the cage. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet of  claim 16 , wherein the webbing includes two wings that extend outward from the strap receiver. 
     
     
         20 . The helmet of  claim 15 , wherein the cage defines a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a first lateral end and a second lateral end opposite the first lateral end, and comprises:
 multiple longitudinal beams that extend between the rear end and the front end; and   a transverse beam that extends between the first lateral end and the second lateral end, the transverse beam being coupled to one or more of the multiple longitudinal beams,   wherein the one or more vents are situated between different pairs of adjacent longitudinal beams of the multiple longitudinal beams.