Patent ID: 8499366
Filing Date: 2013-08-06
Classification: A42B

Abstract:
1. A football helmet, comprising: a shell configured to fit about a head of a wearer of the helmet, the shell comprising: an inner side of the shell and an outer side of the shell, a top portion defining a front edge, the top portion having a raised central channel on the outer side of the shell at least at one of a front area and a top area of the top portion of the shell, with a plurality of elongated vent openings on each side of the channel, the vent openings being spaced from each other on each side of the channel and being elongated, from front to back, along the helmet shell; the raised central channel on the outer side of the shell defining a corresponding depression in the inner side of the shell with respect to other portions of the inner side of the shell away from the central channel; a bottom portion adjoining the top portion, the bottom portion defining: a first side edge that is integral with a first end of the front edge; and a second side edge that is integral with a second end of the front edge, wherein the front edge, first side edge, and second side edge define a segment of a circumference of the shell, the bottom portion containing a pair of earholes on respective sides of the bottom portion, each positioned rearwardly of the respective first and second side edges; a faceguard comprising a faceguard assembly formed in a substantially closed loop, wherein a top portion of the faceguard assembly overlies the top portion of the shell and substantially overlies and coincides with the front edge; a clamping mechanism that removably engages the top portion of the faceguard assembly so that the top portion of the faceguard assembly is connected to the top portion of the shell, the clamping mechanism being generally U-shaped, the clamping mechanism comprising a bottom groove at a bottom of a U-shape for holding the faceguard; wherein the faceguard assembly is fixed to the raised central channel of the shell by a plurality of screw mechanisms, each screw mechanism passing through two opposite arms of a U-shape clamping mechanism and also passing through the shell at the raised central channel, each screw mechanism comprising a nut at the inner side of the shell, the nut being positioned at the depression in the inner side of the shell; and a pair of attachment assemblies affixed to the respective sides of the bottom portion of the shell, each rearward of the respective first and second side edges, for connecting opposite sides of the faceguard assembly to the shell, wherein a front portion of the central channel is at the front edge and wherein the clamping mechanism is fixed to the front portion of the central channel.