Patent ID: 8429766
Filing Date: 2013-04-30
Classification: A42B

Abstract:
1. A concussion resistant helmet for riders of recreational vehicles with improved sound suppression comprising: a. a hard exterior shell formed to substantially enclose the head of the rider, said hard exterior shell having a generally smooth uninterrupted contour without any outwardly projecting ear domes over the ears of the rider; b. concussion padding disposed within the hard exterior shell conforming substantially to the shape of the shell; c. first and second apertures disposed in the padding in the areas in which the shell covers a rider's ears when placed on the head of the rider d. an inner liner disposed within the hard exterior shell and cooperating with the shell to encapsulate the padding; e. first and second ear cups, each ear cup comprising a wall having a back portion, a rim portion and a concave front portion, an acoustical noise reducing member positioned within the concave front portion and a comfort pad covering the rim portion; f. first and second inflatable bladders; g. first and second non-shell penetrating attachment members attaching the first inflatable bladder directly to the hard exterior shell within the first aperture and the second inflatable bladder directly to the hard exterior shell within the second aperture; h. third and fourth non-shell penetrating attachment members located between and attaching the first ear cup directly to the first inflatable bladder and the second ear cup directly to the second inflatable bladder wherein the inflatable bladders cooperate with the hard exterior shell and the ear cups so that the ear cups surround the ears of the rider and seals are formed between the comfort pads and the rider's head to attenuate sound; and i. (i) a bulbpump and valve for inflating and deflating the inflatable bladders., said pump and valve positioned exterior to the hard exterior shell and coupled to the inflatable bladders by tubing such that the pump, valve and tubing do not penetrate the hard exterior shell.