Helmet fit pad connector

Abstract

A helmet comprises an outer shell with an energy absorbing layer positioned inwardly thereof, a connector receiver mounted in the energy absorbing layer, a helmet fit pad assembly positioned inwardly of the energy absorbing layer and a fit pad connector. The connector receiver has a body and a receiver opening defined in the body and facing inwardly. The helmet fit pad assembly has a shear action displacement device and a fit pad positioned inwardly thereof. The helmet fit pad assembly has a bore aligned with the receiver opening in the connector receiver. The fit pad connector has a head, a body extending from the head and a distal end. The distal end is insertable through the bore and into the receiver opening in the connector receiver to movably couple the helmet fit pad assembly to the energy absorbing layer.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A helmet, comprising:
 an outer shell with an energy absorbing layer positioned inwardly thereof;   a connector receiver mounted in the energy absorbing layer, wherein the connector receiver has a body and a receiver opening defined in the body and facing inwardly;   a helmet fit pad assembly positioned inwardly of the energy absorbing layer, the helmet fit pad assembly having a shear action displacement device and a fit pad positioned inwardly thereof, wherein the helmet fit pad assembly has a bore aligned with the receiver opening in the connector receiver; and   a fit pad connector having a head, a body extending from the head and a distal end, wherein the distal end is insertable through the bore of the helmet fit pad assembly and into the receiver opening in the connector receiver to movably couple the helmet fit pad assembly to the energy absorbing layer.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the bore extending through the fit pad assembly comprises a recess larger than the bore and sized to receive the head of the fit pad connector. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver opening of the connector receiver is recessed from a surrounding inner surface of the energy absorbing layer. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the fit pad connector comprises an enlarged distal end sized larger than the receiver opening, and wherein the receiver opening is resiliently deformable to allow the distal end of the fit pad connector to be inserted into and removed from the connector receiver by application of positive force. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the fit pad connector comprises a ball-shaped distal end, wherein the head, the body and the ball-shaped end of the fit pad connector are formed as a single piece, and wherein the ball-shaped distal end forms a pivotable connection with the connector receiver to allow the fit pad connector to pivot about the ball-shaped distal end relative to the connector receiver without deforming. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet of  claim 5 , wherein the connector receiver is resiliently deformable to allow the ball-shaped distal end of the fit pad connector to be inserted into and removed from the receiver opening by application of positive force. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the fit pad connector has a substantially non-yielding configuration compared to the connector receiver and the helmet fit pad assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the head and the body of the fit pad connector are hollow, further comprising an axial opening in the body and a pad connector pin receivable in the body and having a projecting end positionable to extend through the axial opening in the body to define the distal end of the fit pad connector. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the body of the fit pad connector has a series of external ribs. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the fit pad connector is dimensioned to permit the body to pivot or deform within a plane defined at the connector receiver and to permit the helmet fit pad assembly to move over a predetermined range. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the connector receiver is mounted within a recessed area providing space for the body of the fit pad connector to move without interference. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the fit pad connector is formed of a resilient material. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the shear action displacement device has inwardly protruding portions received in corresponding openings of the fit pad. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet of  claim 13 , wherein the inwardly protruding portions include securing portions that secure the shear action displacement device and the fit pad together. 
     
     
         15 . A helmet, comprising:
 an outer shell with an energy absorbing layer;   a connector receiver mounted in the energy absorbing layer, wherein the connector receiver has a body and a receiver opening defined in the body and facing inwardly;   a shear action displacement device and a fit pad positioned inwardly of the energy absorbing layer and having respective openings aligned with the receiver opening in the connector receiver; and   a fit pad connector assembly having a boss with a head, a body extending from the head and a bore extending through the head and the body, and a pad connector pin received in the bore of the boss and having a projecting end positionable to extend from the bore and define a distal end, wherein the distal end is insertable through the respective openings in the fit pad and the shear action displacement device and into the receiver opening in the connector receiver to movably couple the shear action displacement device and the fit pad to the energy absorbing layer.   
     
     
         16 . The helmet of  claim 15 , wherein the fit pad has a recess sized to receive the head of the boss. 
     
     
         17 . The helmet of  claim 15 , wherein the receiver opening of the connector receiver is recessed from a surrounding inner surface of the energy absorbing layer. 
     
     
         18 . The helmet of  claim 15 , wherein the distal end of the pad connector pin comprises an enlarged distal end sized larger than the receiver opening, and wherein the connector receiver is resiliently deformable to allow the distal end of the pad connector pin to be inserted into and removed from the receiver opening by application of positive force. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet of  claim 15 , wherein the body of the boss has a series of external ribs. 
     
     
         20 . The helmet of  claim 15 , wherein the fit pad connector assembly is dimensioned to permit the body to deform within a plane defined at the connector receiver and in turn the shear action displacement device and the fit pad can move in response. 
     
     
         21 . The helmet of  claim 15 , wherein the connector receiver is mounted within a recessed area providing space for the body of the fit pad connector assembly to move without interference.