Adjustable hockey helmet

Abstract

An adjustable hockey helmet includes a front shell that is longitudinally movable relative to a rear shell to adjust the length of the helmet. One or more substantially rigid straps or similar elements are attached to the front shell and extend to the interior of the rear shell. A cam mechanism or similar device is included on the rear shell for securing the straps directly or indirectly against the interior of the rear shell to prevent longitudinal movement of the front shell relative to the rear shell once the helmet is adjusted to a desired length. Alternatively, the one or more straps may be attached to the rear shell and the cam mechanism may be included on the front shell.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An adjustable helmet, comprising:
 a first shell;   padding attached to the first shell;   a second shell engaged with the first shell;   a plurality of substantially rigid straps connected to the first shell and extending into the second shell;   a cam assembly on the second shell in engagement with the straps, wherein the straps are movable relative to the cam assembly, and the cam assembly includes a cam handle that is pivotable between:
 an open position in which the straps are free to move through the cam assembly, such that the first shell may be longitudinally adjusted relative to the second shell; and 
 a closed position in which the straps are prevented from moving through the cam assembly, such that the first shell is prevented from being longitudinally adjusted relative to the second shell. 
   
     
     
       2. The helmet of  claim 1  wherein the first shell is a front shell and the second shell is a rear shell, or the first shell is a rear shell and the second shell is a front shell. 
     
     
       3. The helmet of  claim 1  further comprising a lateral adjustment mechanism including a plurality of bands attached directly or indirectly to the first shell or the second shell, wherein the bands are configured to engage sides of a wearer's head. 
     
     
       4. The helmet of  claim 3  wherein the lateral adjustment mechanism further includes a device for tightening and loosening the bands. 
     
     
       5. The helmet of  claim 3  further comprising a pad attached to the lateral adjustment mechanism for engaging an occipital portion of a wearer's head. 
     
     
       6. The helmet of  claim 1  further comprising a height-adjustable earpiece on the helmet. 
     
     
       7. The helmet of  claim 1  further comprising a height-adjustable J-clip attached to the first shell via at least one threaded connector, with the J-clip including a slot positioned around the threaded connector for allowing the J-clip to be vertically adjusted relative to the first shell when the threaded connector is loosened without requiring removal of the threaded connector from the first shell. 
     
     
       8. The helmet of  claim 1  further comprising an ear loop including a raised ledge configured to pass through a slot in the helmet and to engage an inner surface of the helmet to maintain the ear loop in an upward position. 
     
     
       9. The helmet of  claim 1  further comprising padding in an interior of the second shell, and a rear-projecting tab on an interior surface of the second shell that engages a slot in the padding to prevent rotation of the padding. 
     
     
       10. An adjustable helmet, comprising:
 a first shell;   a second shell engaged with the first shell;   a plurality of substantially rigid straps connected to the first shell and extending into an interior region of the second shell, with each of the straps including an opening;   a cam assembly attached to an exterior region of the second shell, the cam assembly including a cam post extending into the interior region of the second shell and through the openings in the straps, and a cam plate on the cam post;   wherein the cam assembly is movable between:
 a closed position in which the cam plate secures the straps against the second shell, such that the first shell is prevented from being longitudinally adjusted relative to the second shell, and 
 an open position in which the straps are free to move about the cam post such that the first shell may be longitudinally adjusted relative to the second shell. 
   
     
     
       11. The helmet of  claim 10  wherein the first shell is a front shell and the second shell is a rear shell, or the first shell is a rear shell and the second shell is a front shell. 
     
     
       12. An adjustable helmet, comprising:
 a first shell;   padding attached to the first shell;   a second shell engaged with the first shell;   a plurality of substantially rigid straps connected to the first shell and extending into the second shell;   a cam assembly on an exterior region of the second shell in engagement with the plurality of straps, wherein the cam assembly is not engageable with the first shell.   
     
     
       13. An adjustable helmet, comprising:
 a front shell;   padding attached to the front shell;   a rear shell engaged with the front shell;   at least one substantially rigid strap attached to the front shell and extending into the rear shell; and   a cam assembly on an exterior region of the rear shell that is engageable with the strap, wherein the cam assembly includes a cam handle that is pivotable between an open position and a closed position.   
     
     
       14. The helmet of  claim 13  wherein the strap is attached to an upper region of the front shell such that, in use, the strap overlies the top of a wearer's head. 
     
     
       15. The helmet of  claim 13  wherein engagement of the cam assembly with the strap substantially prevents longitudinal adjustment of the front shell relative to the rear shell. 
     
     
       16. The helmet of  claim 13  wherein the cam assembly is located on a rear-exterior region of the rear shell. 
     
     
       17. The helmet of  claim 13  wherein the strap comprises at least one opening engageable by the cam assembly. 
     
     
       18. An adjustable helmet, comprising:
 a first shell;   padding attached to the first shell;   a second shell engaged with the first shell;   at least one substantially rigid strap attached to the first shell and extending into the second shell, wherein the strap is contained within the interior of the helmet; and   means for engaging the strap to substantially prevent longitudinal movement of the first shell relative to the second shell, wherein the means for engaging is located on a rear exterior region of the second shell.   
     
     
       19. An adjustable helmet, having a front region, a rear region, and generally opposite side regions, the helmet comprising:
 a) an external protective shell circumscribing an inside region for receiving the wearer's head, a size of the inside region being variable to adjust a fit of the helmet on the wearer's head;   b) padding in the inside region, the padding being located between the protective shell and the wearer's head when the helmet is worn;   c) the protective shell including a first shell portion engaged with a second shell portion, the first shell portion overlapping the second shell portion, whereby the first shell portion and the second shell portion define a mutual area of overlap, a position of the first and the second shell portions relative to each other being adjustable to vary an extent of the mutual area of overlap, wherein the opposite side regions include a first side region and an opposite second side region, wherein the mutual area of overlap is located on the first side region of the helmet;   d) a manually operable adjustment device in the rear region of the helmet;   e) a substantially rigid strap in the inside region, the substantially rigid strap being engaged with the manually operable adjustment device and extending toward the mutual area of overlap, wherein the substantially rigid strap extends along the first side region of the helmet, at the mutual area of overlap the second shell portion residing between the first shell portion and the substantially rigid strap, wherein the first shell portion includes a recess at the mutual area of overlap, the recess configured for receiving a side plate therein;   f) the substantially rigid strap being moveable relative to the second shell portion in a selected one of a plurality of different positions, the plurality of different positions corresponding to respective positions of the first and the second shell portions relative to each other;   g) the manually operable adjustment device being configured to secure the substantially rigid strap in the selected one of the plurality of different positions;   h) a connector in the mutual area of overlap, the connector connecting the first shell portion to the substantially rigid strap and extending through the second shell portion;   i) the substantially rigid strap, when secured by the manually operable adjustment device in the selected one of the plurality of different positions, being configured to resist displacement of the first shell portion relative to the second shell portion.    
     
     
       20. The helmet of claim 19, wherein the manually operable adjustment device constituting the only device of the helmet for adjusting the position of the first and second shell portions relative to each other.  
     
     
       21. The helmet of claim 19, wherein the helmet has a longitudinal axis extending along a direction from the front region to the rear region and a transverse axis extending in a direction from one side region to another side region, the substantially rigid strap having a portion extending generally along the transverse axis.  
     
     
       22. The helmet of claim 21, wherein the first shell portion is a front shell portion.  
     
     
       23. The helmet of claim 22, wherein the second shell portion is a rear shell portion.  
     
     
       24. The helmet of claim 19, wherein the recess holds the side plate captive therein, the connector connecting the side plate with the substantially rigid strap.  
     
     
       25. The helmet of claim 19, wherein the connector is a first connector, the helmet comprising a second connector spaced apart from the first connector, the second connector connecting the side plate to the substantially rigid strap and extending through the second shell portion.  
     
     
       26. The helmet of claim 25, wherein the first connector includes a rivet.  
     
     
       27. The helmet of claim 26, wherein the second connector includes a rivet.  
     
     
       28. The helmet of claim 19, wherein the mutual area of overlap is a first mutual area of overlap, the helmet including a second mutual area of overlap between the first shell portion and the second shell portion, the substantially rigid strap being a first substantially rigid strap, the helmet including a second substantially rigid strap extending along the second side region of the helmet between the second mutual area of overlap and the manually operable adjustment device, the second shell portion being located between the first shell portion and the second substantially rigid strap at the second mutual area of overlap, wherein the connector is a first connector, the helmet comprising a second connector connecting the first shell portion and the second substantially rigid strap at the second mutual area of overlap, the second connector extending through the second shell portion.  
     
     
       29. The helmet of claim 28, wherein the helmet has a top portion and a rear edge, the first and second substantially rigid straps residing between the top portion and the rear edge.  
     
     
       30. The helmet of claim 19, wherein the second shell portion includes an opening through which the connector extends, the opening being configured to allow the connector to move relative to the second shell portion when the first shell portion moves relative to the second shell portion at the mutual area of overlap.  
     
     
       31. The helmet of claim 30, wherein the opening includes a slot.  
     
     
       32. An adjustable helmet, having a front region, a rear region, and generally opposite side regions, the helmet comprising:
 a) an external protective shell circumscribing an inside region for receiving the wearer's head, a size of the inside region being variable to adjust a fit of the helmet on the wearer's head;   b) padding in the inside region, the padding being located between the protective shell and the wearer's head when the helmet is worn;   c) the protective shell including a first shell portion engaged with a second shell portion, the first shell portion overlapping the second shell portion, whereby the first shell portion and the second shell portion define a mutual area of overlap, a position of the first and the second shell portions relative to each other being adjustable to vary an extent of the mutual area of overlap;   d) a manually operable adjustment device in the rear region of the helmet;   e) a substantially rigid strap in the inside region, the substantially rigid strap being engaged with the manually operable adjustment device and extending toward the mutual area of overlap, at the mutual area of overlap the second shell portion residing between the first shell portion and the substantially rigid strap;   f) the substantially rigid strap being moveable relative to the second shell portion in a selected one of a plurality of different positions, the plurality of different positions corresponding to respective positions of the first and the second shell portions relative to each other;   g) the manually operable adjustment device being configured to secure the substantially rigid strap in the selected one of the plurality of different positions;   h) a connector in the mutual area of overlap, the connector connecting the first shell portion to the substantially rigid strap and extending through the second shell portion;   i) the substantially rigid strap, when secured by the manually operable adjustment device in the selected one of the plurality of different positions, being configured to resist displacement of the first shell portion relative to the second shell portion, wherein the protective shell includes a strap guide configured on an inner surface thereof, the strap guide configured to receive the substantially rigid strap, wherein when the position of the first and second shell portions relative to each other is adjusted, the substantially rigid strap is displaced relative to the strap guide.    
     
     
       33. The helmet of claim 32, wherein the strap guide is configured for maintaining the substantially rigid strap adjacent the inner surface of the protective shell as the first and second shell portions of the protective shell are displaced to adjust the helmet.  
     
     
       34. The helmet of claim 33, wherein the substantially rigid strap resides between the protective shell and the padding.  
     
     
       35. The helmet of claim 32, wherein the manually operable adjustment device includes a post projecting from an inner surface of the protective shell.  
     
     
       36. The helmet of claim 35, wherein the manually operable adjustment device includes a generally circular structure mounted on the post, the generally circular structure engaging the substantially rigid strap.  
     
     
       37. An adjustable helmet, having a front region, a rear region, and generally opposite side regions, the helmet comprising:
 a) an external protective shell circumscribing an inside region for receiving the wearer's head, a size of the inside region being variable to adjust a fit of the helmet on the wearer's head;   b) padding in the inside region, the padding being located between the protective shell and the wearer's head when the helmet is worn;   c) the protective shell including a first shell portion engaged with a second shell portion, the first shell portion overlapping the second shell portion, whereby the first shell portion and the second shell portion define a mutual area of overlap, a position of the first and the second shell portions relative to each other being adjustable to vary an extent of the mutual area of overlap, wherein the opposite side regions include a first side region and an opposite second side region, wherein the mutual area of overlap is located on the first side region of the helmet;   d) a manually operable adjustment device in the rear region of the helmet;   e) a substantially rigid strap in the inside region, the substantially rigid strap being engaged with the manually operable adjustment device and extending toward the mutual area of overlap, wherein the substantially rigid strap extends along the first side region of the helmet, at the mutual area of overlap the second shell portion residing between the first shell portion and the substantially rigid strap, wherein the first shell portion includes a recess at the mutual area of overlap, the recess configured for receiving a side plate therein;   f) the substantially rigid strap being moveable relative to the second shell portion in a selected one of a plurality of different positions, the plurality of different positions corresponding to respective positions of the first and the second shell portions relative to each other;   g) a connector in the mutual area of overlap, the connector connecting the first shell portion to the substantially rigid strap and extending through the second shell portion, such that movement of one of the substantially rigid strap and the first shell portion imparts corresponding movement of the other of the substantially rigid strap and first shell portion.    
     
     
       38. The helmet of claim 37, wherein the manually operable adjustment device constitutes the only device of the helmet for adjusting the position of the first and second shell portions relative to each other.  
     
     
       39. The helmet of claim 37, wherein the manually operable adjustment device is joined with the second shell portion and includes a finger operable actuator projecting from the second shell portion.  
     
     
       40. The helmet of claim 39, wherein the finger operable actuator includes a lever.  
     
     
       41. The helmet of claim 39, wherein the manually operable adjustment device includes a cam.  
     
     
       42. The helmet of claim 37, wherein the helmet has a longitudinal axis extending along a direction from the front region to the rear region and a transverse axis extending in a direction from one side region to another side region, the substantially rigid strap having a portion extending generally along the transverse axis.  
     
     
       43. The helmet of claim 42, wherein the first shell portion is a front shell portion.  
     
     
       44. The helmet of claim 42, wherein the second shell portion is a rear shell portion.  
     
     
       45. The helmet of claim 37, wherein the recess holds the side plate captive therein, the connector connecting the side plate with the substantially rigid strap.  
     
     
       46. The helmet of claim 45, wherein the connector is a first connector, the helmet comprising a second connector spaced apart from the first connector, the second connector connecting the side plate with the substantially rigid strap and extending through the second shell portion.  
     
     
       47. The helmet of claim 46, wherein the first connector includes a rivet.  
     
     
       48. The helmet of claim 46, wherein the second connector includes a rivet.  
     
     
       49. The helmet of claim 37, wherein the mutual area of overlap is a first mutual area of overlap, the helmet including a second mutual area of overlap between the first shell portion and the second shell portion, the substantially rigid strap being a first substantially rigid strap, the helmet including a second substantially rigid strap extending along the second side region of the helmet between the second mutual area of overlap and the manually operable adjustment device, the second shell portion being located between the first shell portion and the second substantially rigid strap at the second mutual area of overlap, wherein the connector is a first connector, the helmet comprising a second connector connecting the first shell portion and the second substantially rigid strap at the second mutual area of overlap, the second connector extending through the second shell portion.  
     
     
       50. The helmet of claim 49, wherein the helmet has a top portion and a rear edge, the first and second substantially rigid straps residing between the top portion and the rear edge.  
     
     
       51. The helmet of claim 37, wherein the second shell portion includes an opening through which the connector extends, the opening being configured to allow the connector to move relative to the second shell portion when the first shell portion moves relative to the second shell portion at the mutual area of overlap.  
     
     
       52. The helmet of claim 51, wherein the opening includes a slot.  
     
     
       53. An adjustable helmet, having a front region, a rear region, and generally opposite side regions, the helmet comprising:
 a) an external protective shell circumscribing an inside region for receiving the wearer's head, a size of the inside region being variable to adjust a fit of the helmet on the wearer's head;   b) padding in the inside region, the padding being located between the protective shell and the wearer's head when the helmet is worn;   c) the protective shell including a first shell portion engaged with a second shell portion, the first shell portion overlapping the second shell portion, whereby the first shell portion and the second shell portion define a mutual area of overlap, a position of the first and the second shell portions relative to each other being adjustable to vary an extent of the mutual area of overlap;   d) a manually operable adjustment device in the rear region of the helmet;   e) a substantially rigid strap in the inside region, the substantially rigid strap being engaged with the manually operable adjustment device and extending toward the mutual area of overlap, at the mutual area of overlap the second shell portion residing between the first shell portion and the substantially rigid strap;   f) the substantially rigid strap being moveable relative to the second shell portion in a selected one of a plurality of different positions, the plurality of different positions corresponding to respective positions of the first and the second shell portions relative to each other;   g) a connector in the mutual area of overlap, the connector connecting the first shell portion to the substantially rigid strap and extending through the second shell portion, such that movement of one of the substantially rigid strap and the first shell portion imparts corresponding movement of the other of the substantially rigid strap and first shell portion, wherein the protective shell includes a strap guide configured on an inner surface thereof, the strap guide configured to receive the substantially rigid strap, wherein when the position of the first and second shell portions relative to each other is adjusted, the substantially rigid strap is displaced relative to the strap guide.    
     
     
       54. The helmet of claim 53, wherein the strap guide is configured for maintaining the substantially rigid strap adjacent the inner surface of the protective shell as the first and second shell portions of the protective shell are displaced relative to each other to adjust the helmet.  
     
     
       55. The helmet of claim 54, wherein the substantially rigid strap resides between the protective shell and the padding.  
     
     
       56. The helmet of claim 53, wherein the manually operable adjustment device includes a post projecting from an inner surface of the second shell portion.  
     
     
       57. The helmet of claim 56, wherein the manually operable adjustment device includes a generally circular structure mounted on the post, the generally circular structure engaging the substantially rigid strap.