Abstract:
An accessory for a helmet includes a lower portion that includes an attachment mechanism, an upper portion that includes pliable projections wherein the attachment mechanism removably couples the lower portion to a top surface of the helmet. The attachment mechanism may mate with a corresponding attachment strip that is located on the upper surface of the helmet.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/397,038 which was filed on Jun. 7, 2010 entitled “FOHAWX HELMET ACCESSORIES”, the entire disclosure of which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to protective helmets and accessories related thereto. More specifically the invention relates to a removable accessory that can be placed on a bicycle, skate ski or other safety helmet or protective gear. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Protective Helmets are well known in the art. They are typically used by bicyclists, motorcyclists, skiers and skateboarders. The purpose of these helmets is to prevent the wearers from sustaining serious head injuries. Over the past few years, more and more locales have made use of helmets mandatory while operating different vehicles. While in the past helmets were always mandatory for skiers and operators of motorized equipment such as motorcyclists, in the past few years they have become mandatory for bicyclists or even skateboarding in various circumstances. As the use of helmets has become more acceptable and widespread, it has become difficult for parents to persuade their children to wear the helmets. More often than not, children who are less cognizant of the dangers of not wearing a helmet are concerned with the comfort of the helmet and how it makes them look. This is particularly an issue when it comes to teenagers or pre-teen children who may be more concerned with how fashionable the helmet is than how their safety or health is effected by not wearing a helmet. 
         [0006]    Moreover, while there are helmets available on the market in different colors and designs that may address issues related to fashion, or a child&#39;s likes or dislikes, there is a need for a helmet that can be flexible when taking design into consideration. For example, a teenager may think that a particular design is fashionable at one moment, but after considering it or consulting with their peers may think such design is unpopular. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a helmet which can have flexible designs in the form of exchangeable accessories so that a user can change or alternate the look and feel of the helmet whenever they so desire. 
         [0007]    Therefore, a need exists for a helmet with exchangeable or removable accessories that make helmets more acceptable, attractive and desirable to children and adults alike in a manner that does not reduce their safety benefits. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In view of the above discussion and the shortcomings in the prior art, the invention seeks to overcome such shortcomings of the prior art by providing interchangeable accessories for bicycle, skate, ski and other safety helmets or protective gear. 
         [0009]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, the accessories are made for placement onto a conventional helmet. The accessories comprise an upper portion that includes projections that are preferably made from foam, polyurethane, silicone, plastic or foam like materials and a lower portion that includes an attachment mechanism for joining the accessory and the helmet. The attachment mechanism is used to primarily to removably couple the accessory to the helmet. 
         [0010]    Accessories can be created in varying shapes, styles and designs. In one embodiment, a user can design or modify an accessory though a craft project or otherwise. 
         [0011]    In certain embodiments, the accessories come in a kit where a user is able to alternate which accessory is placed on the helmet at a given time. The accessories can be packaged together with a helmet or distributed separately. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like components. For the purposes of illustrating the device of the present application, there is shown in the drawings preferred embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangement, structures, features, embodiments, aspects, and devices shown, and the arrangements, structures, features, embodiments, aspects and devices shown may be used singularly or in combination with other arrangements, structures, features, embodiments, aspects and devices. 
           [0013]    The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are not in any way intended to limit the scope of this invention, but merely to clarify a single illustrated embodiment of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a view of a prior art bicycle helmet; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side view of an accessory according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the accessory of  FIG. 2  attached to a helmet according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an partially attached to a helmet according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an accessory according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a side view of an accessory according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side view of an accessory according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a side view showing an accessory according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention attached to a helmet; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a front view showing an accessory according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention attached to a helmet. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Certain exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the aforementioned figures. In general, such embodiments relate to accessories for a bicycle helmet, although as one of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate, certain embodiments of the present invention can be utilized in connection with various other helmets and attire. 
         [0024]    As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , a typical prior art helmet  100  includes a top surface  102  which has a distal end  104 , a proximal end  106  and an inner surface  108  which inner surface comes in contact and generally covers the wearer&#39;s head. Additionally, most helmets have a strap portion  110  or multiple strap portions which can be utilized to secure the helmet to the wearer&#39;s head. In certain helmets, the strap portion  110  can be adjustable to help make sure that the helmet properly fits and is not dislodged easily. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows an accessory  200  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , accessory  200  contains a lower portion  202  and an upper portion  204 . Upper portion  204  includes a plurality of projections  206  that are preferably made out of foam, polyurethane, silicone, plastic or foam like materials and are of differing heights, density and thickness. The projections  206  are also preferably water and/or stain resistant and can be made from a variety of materials to make the projections  206  more durable and long-lasting. Lower portion  202  preferably includes an attachment mechanism  208  which is used to connect the accessory  200  to the top surface  102  of helmet  100  as can be seen in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0026]    As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , attachment mechanism  208  is brought in contact with the top surface of helmet  100  to attach the accessory to the helmet. In one embodiment, attachment mechanism  208  may include an adherable strip that can attach to the top surface  102  of the helmet  100 . Alternatively, the top surface  102  of helmet  100  may include a matching strip that mates with the adherable strip of the attachment mechanism  208  to more strongly adhere the accessory to the helmet. The attachment mechanism  208  may also be a track mechanism where one part of the track is connected to accessory  200  and the other part of the track mechanism is connected to the top surface of helmet  102 . Other adhesive materials such as snaps, buttons, Velcro, clips or other conventionally known or future developed mechanisms can be used to join the accessory and the helmet. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  shows one embodiment where the attachment mechanism  208  is joined to the upper surface  102  of helmet  100  via an attachment strip  405  that is connected to the upper surface of helmet  100 . Attachment strip  405  can either be removable or permanently placed upon helmet  100 . Attachment strip  405  is preferably approximately 2 inches wide and approximately 8 inches long and covers approximately two-thirds of the helmet length from distal end  102  to the proximal end  104 . Although shown as being placed from the distal end  102  to the proximal end  104  of the top surface, it should be appreciated that the accessory can also be placed or designed to be placed in a perpendicular direction from one side of the top surface to the other. Alternatively the accessory can be placed in any other direction that the user desires whether along a straight line or offset from a center line of the helmet or along the side surfaces of the helmet as desired. Moreover, accessories can be easily exchanged by removing them from a helmet and placing another accessory in its place. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, other fasteners may be used to attach the accessory to the top surface of the helmet. Alternatively, the fasteners can be affixed to the top surface of the helmet allowing accessories to be inserted and/or removed from the particular fastener. If the fasteners are affixed to the helmet, they can be used as a base for different accessories that may be inserted into the fasteners. In that way varying accessories can be inserted into the fasteners in the helmet and exchanged as desired by the user. The fasteners can be attached using any adhesive materials such as snaps, buttons, Velcro, clips or other conventionally known or future developed mechanisms can be used to join the fasteners to the accessory and/or the helmet. 
         [0029]    Accessory  200  is also designed so as not to obstruct the wearer&#39;s vision or cover any of the air holes that are typically found on a helmet. This ensures that the accessories do not compromise the safety of the wearer and that they can also be worn in all weather conditions. Accessory  200  is also preferably colorful, malleable and moveable so as to take shape and flow in the air as the rider moves. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 5-9  illustrate various embodiments of the accessory. As shown in  FIG. 5 , projections  506  may be of a pliable material so that different projections are easily turned in different directions. The projections are preferably of a light weight so as not to create an extra burden on the wearer&#39;s head and so they can be easily manipulated.  FIG. 6  illustrates accessory  600  which has projections  606  that can have beads  610  or other attachments to create more flexible and stylish projections. It should be appreciated that the accessories of the instant invention can be distributed as craft projects where a user can create their own unique accessory by modifying or enhancing the projections of the accessory. 
         [0031]    For example, as can be seen in  FIG. 7 , projections  706  can be cut so as to create more projections that are part of the accessory. As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , projections  806  can also be molded or folded over so as to create a more compact accessory. In certain embodiments, the projections can be made out of pre-cut or die cut foam or similar elements to which beads or other decorative items can be added. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment if the accessory is created from various pieces of material, rivets  808  can be used to keep the pieces together and form the desired shape. The rivets can be permanently attached to the accessory or removable by the user so as to create a different design shape or arrangement. Alternatively, the material can be fastened using any adhesive materials such as snaps, buttons, Velcro, clips or other conventionally known or future developed mechanisms. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment where accessories  900   a  and  900   b  and projections  906   a  and  906   b  are attached to opposite sides of the top surface  102 . This embodiment which is intended to resemble pigtails is exemplary of the different manners in which the accessories can be manipulate and designed to address an individual user&#39;s likes or dislikes. Moreover as can be seen in  FIG. 9 , the accessories can be attached utilizing rivets  908  as discussed above with reference to the various other embodiments. 
         [0034]    The height and length of the accessories differs by preference and style. Preferably, the projections range between 0.5 inches and 7 inches depending on the exact design and configuration of the projections. The projections may also be spiked, have serrated edges or long strips and strands containing beads to resemble dreadlocks. In one embodiment various accessories may come in a kit where a user can choose which accessory to place onto a helmet at a given time. 
         [0035]    One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the various accessories and helmets described for the preferred embodiments of the present invention may be adapted and interchanged between the preferred embodiments, without significantly impacting the structure and operation of the invention. 
         [0036]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention has many applications, may be implemented in many manners and, as such is not to be limited by the foregoing embodiments and examples. Any number of the features of the different embodiments described herein may be combined into one single embodiment and alternate embodiments having fewer than or more than all of the features herein described are possible. Functionality may also be, in whole or in part, distributed among multiple components, in manners now known or to become known. 
         [0037]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. While there had been shown and described fundamental features of the invention as applied to being exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood that omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the disclosed invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, the scope of the present invention covers conventionally known, future developed variations and modifications to the components described herein as would be understood by those skilled in the art. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein disclosed and all statements of the scope of the invention that, is a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.