Abstract:
The invention includes a horizontally adjustable organizer bag for protecting helmets, visors, and equipment. In an exemplary embodiment the visor compartment, the helmet compartment, and the optional equipment compartment have the same horizontal cross-section that enables the three bags to be attached or affixed in a “stacked” position to appear as one bag. The bags are composed of rounded front faces to accommodate the curved helmet and visors. The visor compartment allows for easy access to multiple visors that can be organized and securely and safely stored.

Description:
PRIORITY APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/421,625, filed Dec. 9, 2010, titled “HORIZONTALLY ADJUSTABLE ORGANIZER FOR PROTECTING SHIELDS (A.K.A. VISOR HOOD RACING BAG)” having Linda M. Hendricks and Floyd E. Hendricks named as the inventors and which is incorporated herein by references as if set forth in full below. 
     
    
     NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its figures contain material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    I. Field 
         [0004]    The invention relates to cases, bags, luggage, etc. for the organization, transportation and storage of helmets, visors, and related gear and equipment. 
         [0005]    II. Background 
         [0006]    Many safety helmets, such as those used by motor-vehicle drivers utilize numerous removable and interchangeable visors. 
         [0007]    Often people who utilize helmets with multiple visors will store and transport the helmet and visors together along with related equipment. Providing a single bag for storing and transporting helmets, visors, and related equipment provides convenience for the owners of this equipment. Sometimes, however, a helmet wearer may wish to transport their helmet, visors, and related equipment separately. 
         [0008]    Often the visors, helmets, and related equipment will be thrown in the same compartment in a bag or otherwise be placed in an unsecured and unorganized manor for storage and transport. This often results in damage to the visors, helmets, and related equipment. 
         [0009]    Current methods for storing or transporting of visors, helmets, and related equipment in a single carrier or storage container require the equipment to be transferred to additional carriers or storage containers for the equipment to be stored or transported separately. 
         [0010]    For safety concerns it is important that helmet wearers&#39; visors remain clear and free of cracks or scratches that may impair vision. 
         [0011]    According to some of the embodiments of this invention, an interconnected series of bags and protective chambers ensure the safe storage of the helmet, visors, and related equipment while easily allowing the bags to disconnect for separate storage and transportation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    The aforementioned problems, and other problems, are reduced, according to exemplary embodiments, by the visor hood racing bag described herein below and in attachments. 
         [0013]    Other systems, methods, and/or products according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings, and further description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or products be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The exemplary embodiments, objects, uses, advantages, and novel features are more clearly understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying figures wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective side view of the Visor Hood Racing Bag in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates another perspective side view of the Visor Hood Racing Bag of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates another perspective side view of the Visor Hood Racing Bag of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective interior view of the visor compartment of the Visor Hood Racing Bag of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective interior view of the helmet compartment of the Visor Hood Racing Bag of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any configuration or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other configurations or designs. Furthermore, use of the words “present invention” is used herein to convey only some of the embodiments of the invention. For example, the words “present invention” would also include alternative embodiments and equivalent systems and components that one of ordinary skill in the art understands. An example is that the materials used for the exemplary embodiments may be made out of man-made materials, natural materials, and combinations thereof. A further example is that the apparatus or components of the apparatus may be manufactured by machine(s), human(s) and combinations thereof. 
         [0021]    Some of the embodiments of the invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). 
         [0022]    In an exemplary embodiment the bag consists of a visor compartment and a helmet compartment as shown in  FIGS. 1  thru  5 . Each of these compartments may have one or more internal or external pockets for organizing gear. 
         [0023]    Referring now to the figures, the bag  100  consists of a visor compartment  110 , a helmet compartment  130 , and an optional equipment compartment (not shown). Each of these compartments may have one or more internal or external pockets for organizing gear (see reference numeral  410  of  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0024]    In an exemplary embodiment the visor compartment  110  stores one or more helmet visors  161 ,  162 ,  163 ,  164 ,  165  of varying shape and size and other small equipment, the helmet compartment  130  stores a helmet  510  that can be varying shapes or sizes, and the equipment compartment stores miscellaneous items. 
         [0025]    In an exemplary embodiment the exterior of bag  110  is made of canvas, polypropylene or another flexible, light-weight, and durable material. This material ensure that the bag remains light enough to carry but durable enough to withstand impacts, bear a heavy load, and other stresses that may be applied to the material. As one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates, alternate materials may be used as the exterior of the bag. For example, the bag may have a hard casing made of manmade and/or natural materials, such as plastic, aluminum, and other materials. The hard casing minimizes damage to gear by providing a protective barrier for impacts and by minimizing cuts or tears in any fabric-like material. 
         [0026]    In an exemplary embodiment the bag shall be lined with a soft padding material to prevent damage to the contents of the bag. 
         [0027]    In an exemplary embodiment the visor compartment, equipment compartment, and the helmet compartment have the same horizontal cross-section, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternate embodiments provide for compartments of different horizontal cross-sections. 
         [0028]    In an exemplary embodiment the visor compartment is situated directly above the helmet compartment, as shown in  FIG. 1 . An alternate embodiment provides for the visor compartment to be below the helmet compartment. 
         [0029]    In an exemplary embodiment the visor compartment is located above the equipment compartment, which is located above the helmet compartment. 
         [0030]    In an exemplary embodiment the bag is composed of a rounded front face to accommodate the curved helmet and visors, as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 . The curvature of the front face of the bag allows the visors to be stored in a consistent and easily organized manner. 
         [0031]    In an exemplary embodiment the visor compartment shall have a partially removable top flaps  101  that is permanently secured to the back of the visor compartment  111 . The remaining sides to the visor compartment top flap shall be capable of being connected to the visor compartment through the use of a zipper  109 . This allows easy access to the visor compartment while also ensuring that the visor compartment may be securely closed. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded side view that shows the visor compartment  110  attached or affixed to the helmet compartment  130  as well as illustrates the visor compartment top handle  108  and the helmet compartment top handle  128 . While the visor compartment  110  and the helmet compartment  130  are shown attached with male and female snapping components, additional means of attachments and additional snapping components may be integrated into the design to enable a more durable integrated bag, for example, the visor compartment bag  110  might zip to the helmet compartment bag  130 . Alternate means for connecting the visor and the helmet compartments may include snaps, tethers, latches, and others connection means. 
         [0033]    In an exemplary embodiment a pocket  410  shall be attached to the back of the visor internal compartment. The pocket  410  shall be permanently attached to the inside rear portion of the bag where the top flap is permanently affixed to the visor compartment. The bottom of the pocket shall be free floating and take up the space in the visor compartment that would otherwise be unoccupied by visors that have been stored in the visor compartment. A zipper shall adorn the front of the pocket to allow access to the inside of the pocket and allow the pocket to be securely closed. This pocket allows small items to be stored in the bag without risk of damage to the helmet or visors. 
         [0034]    In an exemplary embodiment a front face  105  of the visor compartment shall be affixed with a strap handle  108  to allow for easy transportation for the visor compartment when the visor compartment  110  is not affixed to the helmet compartment  130 . 
         [0035]    In an exemplary embodiment the visor compartment shall contain visor protection panels  141 ,  142 ,  143 ,  144 , and  145  to secure visors  161 ,  162 ,  163 ,  164 , and  165  being stored in the visor compartment to limit movement and to protect the visors from scratching. These visor protection panels shall be secured to the inner bottom and sides of the visor compartment to accommodate the curvature of the visors while securing the visors from excessive and unwanted movement during transportation. The visor protection panels shall be made of light-weight cushioning material not prone to scratching or marring other materials. This material may include felt, padded cloth, or other materials. 
         [0036]    In an exemplary embodiment the two lower front corners of the visor compartment shall be affixed with a lower connection strap  106  of a width of approximately two inches containing both male  126 ,  127  and female  107  snap attachment parts. The male snap attachment parts  126 ,  127  shall be affixed to the base of the strap facing outwards and the female snap  107  shall be affixed to the end of the strap in a fashion allowing the strap to be folded once across the horizontal axis to allow the female snap to be secured to male snap. 
         [0037]    In an exemplary embodiment the two lower front corners of the equipment compartment shall be affixed with a lower connection strap of a width of approximately two inches containing both male and female snap attachment parts. The male snap attachment shall be affixed to the base of the strap facing outwards and the female snap shall be affixed to the end of the strap in a fashion allowing the strap to be folded once across the horizontal axis to allow the female snap to be secured to male snap. 
         [0038]    In an exemplary embodiment the two upper front corners of the helmet and equipment compartments are affixed with an upper connection strap of a width of approximately two inches containing a loop made of medal, cloth, plastic, or another durable material. The upper connection straps of the helmet and equipment compartments are aligned with the lower connection straps of the visor and equipment compartments so as to allow the lower connection straps of the visor and equipment compartments to pass through the loops of the upper connection straps for the helmet and equipment compartment. The lower connection straps for the visor or equipment compartment shall be able to pass through the loops of the upper connection straps for the helmet or visor compartment and have the snaps of the lower connection strap for the visor and equipment compartment close. Such a connection shall allow the visor, helmet, and equipment compartments to be firmly secured to each other while allowing for easy separation. Other embodiments will connect the connection straps through the use of Velcro, buckles, clips, or other fasteners. 
         [0039]    In an exemplary embodiment there shall be two to four female snaps connected to the bottom corners of the visor compartment that shall align with four male snaps connected to the top of the helmet or visor compartment. These snaps shall provide additional points of connection between the visor compartment and the helmet or equipment compartment. These snaps allow for the compartments to be firmly secured to each other while also allowing the compartments to be easily separated from each other. Other embodiments utilize Velcro or other fasteners in place of snaps. 
         [0040]    In an exemplary embodiment there shall be four male snaps connected to the top corners of the helmet compartment that shall align with four female snaps connected to the bottom of the equipment or visor compartment. These snaps shall provide additional points of connection between the helmet compartment and the visor or equipment compartment. These snaps allow for the compartments to be firmly secured to each other while also allowing the compartments to be easily separated from each other. Other embodiments utilize Velcro or other fasteners in place of snaps. 
         [0041]    In an exemplary embodiment the helmet compartment shall contain a top flap permanently affixed to the back of the helmet compartment. The top flap shall connect to the helmet compartment on the sides that are not permanently affixed through the use of a zipper. The top flap of the helmet compartment may be opened or closed while the visor and/or equipment compartment is attached or unattached. 
         [0042]    In an exemplary embodiment the equipment compartment shall contain a top flap permanently affixed to the back of the equipment compartment. The top flap shall connect to the equipment compartment on the sides that are not permanently affixed through the use of a zipper. The top flap of the equipment compartment may be opened or closed while the visor compartment is attached or unattached. 
         [0043]    In an exemplary embodiment a strap is connected to either side of the helmet compartment to facilitate transportation of the bag. In other embodiments the strap may be fixed to the bag in a variety of locations, be of varying lengths, and composed of a variety of flexible, durable materials. 
         [0044]    While the present invention has been described with respect to various features, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and unskilled in the art will recognize the invention is not so limited. Other variations, modifications, and alternative embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.