Abstract:
A helmet is disclosed with a detachable shield that completely envelopes or partially envelopes the helmet. This protective shield is replaceable and removable. When a helmet is scratched or worn, the protective shield may be replaced by a user. The protective shield may also be used to change the color or appearance of a helmet, as well as to alter the strength of the helmet.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to helmets, and more particularly relates to detachable implements for helmets. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Helmets are well-known in the art. They are used to protect athletes, such as football players, from impacts to the head and neck. They are used to protect constructions workers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, skiers, riot police, and the like. Typically, in most variations, these helmets comprise a bulbous polymeric shell of static color and design with interior padding which is latched around the head of a user. 
         [0003]    When a helmet becomes scratched or damaged, it must usually be replaced in its entirety at significant cost to the user or an organization sponsoring the user, despite the fact most often the damage to the helmet is only superficial. 
         [0004]    Helmets often bear markings associating a user with a particular organization, such as a logo of a professional football team or university. These logos are usually heat-pressed onto the surface of the helmet, and are particularly prone to being scratched or damaged. Users must usually buy new helmets altogether to associate themselves with a different organization, or to color-code the helmet to outerwear vesting the user. 
         [0005]    Additionally, users have no means of adjusting or customizing the thickness, durability, or strength of a helmet to suit a particular purpose or situation. 
         [0006]    There exists no efficient means in the art of replacing only the damaged components of a helmet, of changing the color scheme of a helmet, or of adjusting its strength. Current methods and apparati do not readily meet these needs. It is therefore desirable that a helmet be provided which can be used by athletes and professionals which does. What is needed is a helmet with a removable, detachable shell, as further disclosed herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for a helmet with a detachable protective shield. Beneficially, such an apparatus would overcome many of the difficulties with prior art by providing a means for properly changing the helmet&#39;s color scheme, adjusting its strength, and facilitating quick repair of scratches and/or cracks. 
         [0008]    The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available apparati and methods. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a protective helmet comprising: a helmet having a smooth convex recessed outer surface for receiving an inner surface of a reciprocally contoured protective shield; a rigid detachable protective shield for engaging and enveloping the recessed outer surface of the helmet, the protective shield comprising: a concave inner surface having inner contouring for engaging and abutting the reciprocal contouring on the outer surface of the helmet; wherein the protective shield defines one or more apertures for receiving screws, the screws affixing the protective shield to the helmet. 
         [0009]    The outer surface of the helmet may further comprise one or more protrusions insertable into recesses defined on the inner surface of the protective shield for securing the protective shield when attached to the helmet. 
         [0010]    The protective helmet may be one of a football helmet, a motorcycle helmet, a skiing helmet, a biking helmet, and a hardhat worn by construction workers. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the protective helmet further comprises a plurality of detachable protective shields, the protective shields interchangeable by a user at will. 
         [0012]    Each protective shield may be of a different color. Each protective shield may be of a different thickness and interchangeable to add varies tiers of strength to the helmet. 
         [0013]    A protective helmet also disclosed comprising: a helmet having a convex recessed outer surface for receiving an inner surface of a reciprocally contoured protective shield; and a rigid detachable protective shield for engaging and enveloping the recessed outer surface of the helmet, the protective shield comprising: a concave inner surface having inner contouring for engaging and abutting the reciprocal contouring on the outer surface of the helmet. 
         [0014]    The protective shield may be detachably affixed to the helmet using one or more of snaps, Velcro®, adhesive, and screws. The protective shield may further comprise a cantilevered lip for engaging and gripping a reciprocally contoured edge on the helmet. The protective shield may further comprise a visor jutting forward of the helmet. 
         [0015]    In alternate embodiments, the protective shield further comprises a graphic design indicating a user&#39;s affiliation with a team. In some embodiments, the protective shield further comprises one or more reflectors. 
         [0016]    The protective shield may be transparent and meant to protect the helmet from scratching and wear. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the helmet defines a groove running laterally around the perimeter of the helmet for receiving or corresponding lip on the inner surface of the protective shield. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the protective shield comprises one or more of polymeric materials, elastomeric materials, carbon fiber materials, rubber, silastic materials, and metal alloys. The protective shield may also be skinned with a multicolored graphic design. The protective shield may further comprise a thin, replaceable polymeric liner covering its inside surface. 
         [0018]    In other embodiments, the helmet further comprises a detachable goggle strap disposed on a rearward portion of the helmet. 
         [0019]    These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1A  is a side elevational perspective view of a helmet and detached protective shield in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 1B  is an upper elevational perspective view of a helmet with attached protective shield in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2A  is a side perspective view of another embodiment of a helmet in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2B  is a rear perspective view of a protective shield for a helmet in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3A  is a side perspective view of a helmet in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3B  is a side perspective view of a helmet and detached protective shield in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a forward elevational perspective view of a helmet and detached protective shield in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of a helmet and detached protective shield in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0030]    Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1A  is a side elevational perspective view of a helmet  100  and detached protective shield in accordance with the present invention. The helmet  100  comprises a helmet  102 , a helmet shield  104 , a cantilevered lip  106 , and an inner surface  108 . 
         [0032]    The helmet is well-known to those of skill in the art, and generally comprises a bulbous polymeric shell which surrounds and protects a user&#39;s head. The helmet  102  differs from traditional helmets in that, inter alia, it has a recessed outer surface for receiving the helmet shield  104  (or protective shield  104 ), and may comprise means for detachably connecting, adhering, or fastening the helmet shield  104  to the helmet  102 . Those means may include screws, Velcro, adhesive, magnets, snaps, or the cantilevered lip  106  as shown. 
         [0033]    The cantilevered lip  106  comprises an alloy or polymeric ridge which juts roughly orthogonally inward from the inner surface of the helmet shield  104 . This cantilevered lip  106  engages a corresponding edge of the helmet  102 , thus securing the helmet shield  104  to the helmet  102 . 
         [0034]    In the shown embodiment, the helmet shield  104  comprises a rubber, polymeric or elastomeric shell which surrounds or partially surrounds or envelopes the helmet  102 . This helmet shield  104  may be translucent or colored. It may bear logos or distinctive identifiers for associating a wearer/user with a particular team or organization. It may bear aesthetic markings for color-coordinating the helmet  100  with a user&#39;s outerwear. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1B  is a upper elevational perspective view of a helmet  120  with attached protective shield in accordance with the present invention. The helmet  120  comprises a helmet  102  and a helmet shield  104 . 
         [0036]    The shown embodiment  120  represents the helmet  100  in its assembled, or attached, configuration, with the helmet shield  104  detachably affixed to the helmet  102 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 2A  is a side perspective view of another embodiment of a helmet  200  in accordance with the present invention. The helmet  200  comprises a surface  108 , snaps  202   a - c,  a screw  204 , a recessed groove  206 , a protrusion  208 , and an edge  210 . 
         [0038]    The exterior surface  108  of the helmet  102  in the shown embodiment comprises a groove running, or defines a recess, running laterally around the perimeter of the helmet  102  for receiving a corresponding lip, protrusion or contour on the inner surface of the protective shield  104 . 
         [0039]    The helmet  102  comprises snaps  202   a - c,  which in the shown embodiment, comprise male snap members for engaging corresponding female snap members on the protective shield  104 . 
         [0040]    The screw  204  is insertably affixed into a bore hole in the helmet  102 . The helmet  102  may comprise a plurality of bore holes or screw holes and screws  204  for securing the protective shield  104  to the helmet  102 . 
         [0041]    The edge  210  of the helmet  102  is engaged by the cantilevered lip of the protective shield  104 . 
         [0042]    Additionally or alternatively, the helmet  102  may comprise one or more protrusions  208  which jut outward from the convex surface of the helmet  102  and extrude into a recess on the inner surface of the protective shield, thus preventing forward, rear, and lateral slippage of the protective shield  104  in its affixed configuration. The helmet  102  may also comprise one or more magnets or iron plates for attracting corresponding magnets affixed to or within the protective shield  104 . 
         [0043]    The protrusion  208  may comprise a Velcro pad, a magnet, or polymeric protrusion forming part of an integrated piece with the helmet  102 . 
         [0044]    The recessed groove  206  may also serve to secure and stabilize the stretched elastic band of ski goggles, lights, or other items with straps stretched over the helmet  102 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 2B  is a rear perspective view of a protective shield  220  for a helmet in accordance with the present invention. The protective shield  220  comprises an aperture  222 , a snap  224 , a magnet  226 , and a recess  228 . 
         [0046]    The protective shield  220  may comprise one or more magnets  226  for engaging corresponding magnets, metals or alloys on the helmet  102 . The protective shield may also define or comprise holes for receiving a screw  204  traversing the protective shield  200 . The protective shield  104  may also comprise male or female snap members  224 , as well as one or more recesses for receiving corresponding protrusions  208 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 3A  is a side perspective view of a helmet  300  in accordance with the present invention. The helmet  300  comprises a helmet  102  and snaps  202   a - c,  and visor  304 . 
         [0048]    The helmet  300  may comprise a visor  304  which extending in cantilevered fashion forward of the helmet  102 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 3B  is a side perspective view of a helmet  320  and detached protective shield in accordance with the present invention. The helmet  320  comprises a helmet  102 , a protective shield  104 , a visor  304 , and a liner  322 . 
         [0050]    As shown, the helmet shield  104  may vary in its shape, purpose and dimensions. It may also circumscribe, or envelope, only a portion of the helmet  102 . 
         [0051]    In the shown embodiment, the helmet shield  104  comprises the visor  304 , and the helmet  320  is a dirt-biking helmet. The helmet  320  may be a motorcycling helmet, a hardhat, a skiing helmet, riot gear helmet, football helmet, or the like. 
         [0052]    In the shown embodiment, the helmet shield  104  snaps to the helmet  102 . 
         [0053]    Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a liner  322 , which comprises a thin film of elastomeric, silicone or polymeric material laid between the helmet shield  104  and the helmet  102 . The liner  322  may be affixed to the helmet  102  or the helmet shield  104 . The liner  322  protects the helmet  102  from wear imposed by the helmet shield  104 . In some embodiments, the liner  322  defines holes, apertures or passageways for accommodating screws  204  and the like. The liner  322  may be from 0.1 millimeters to 2 centimeters in thickness. In some embodiments, the liner  322  adds additional padding and impact protection to the helmet. 
         [0054]      FIG. 4  is a forward elevational perspective view of a helmet  400  and detached protective shield in accordance with the present invention. The helmet  400  comprises a helmet  102 , a helmet shield  104 , a screw  204 , and a protrusion  208 . 
         [0055]    The helmet  400  comprises a ski helmet. The protective shield  104  affixes over the top of the helmet  102 , and is screwed in place. 
         [0056]    In some embodiments, the helmet  320  comprises a plurality of protective shields  104  which may be interchangeable affixed to the helmet  102 . In various embodiments, these protective shield(s)  104  differ in thickness, rigidity, and strength such that a user may customize the strength of the helmet  320  to suit particularized needs. 
         [0057]    In some embodiments, a plurality of protective shields  104  may be affixed on top of one another, in stackable fashion, to give a user even more control over strength and helmet  320  rigidity. 
         [0058]    The protrusion  208  in the shown embodiment is Velcro. 
         [0059]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of a helmet  500  and detached protective shield in accordance with the present invention. The helmet  500  comprises a helmet  102 , a helmet shield  104 , and a goggle strap  502 . 
         [0060]    The helmet shield  104  may itself comprise a plurality of detachable implements, such a handle  502 . 
         [0061]    The goggle strap  502  in the shown embodiment is polymeric and flexible. The goggle strap  502  is detachably affixed to the helmet  102  using screws, snaps, buttons, buckles, or other fasteners known to those of skill in the art. 
         [0062]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.