Abstract:
A protective helmet face mask visor apparatus, method and system is disclosed. The apparatus is adapted to affix to the face mask of a protective helmet at a location where it is desired to impede the transmission of light. The apparatus includes an elongated strip of material that is adapted to transmit visible light and prevent transmission of ultraviolet light.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a utility application which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/295,519, filed on Jun. 4, 2001, entitled “Helmet Sunblocker”. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    I. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to the field of protective helmets and more particularly to a sun and ultraviolet ray visor for protective helmets.  
           [0004]    II. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Motorcyclists are often faced with direct sunlight when operating their motorcycle. The motorcyclist can block the sun by holding his hand between his eyes and the sun. However, by removing either hand from the handlebars causes unsafe driving conditions because both hands are needed to safely operate the motorcycle, right for the front brakes and left for the throttle/clutch, and both hands for control and steering.  
           [0006]    Face mask visors are often used to provide shade for the entire face mask. However, these visors can be undesirable because they sometimes cause too much shading during the day and restrict the motorcyclists vision at night. Similarly, riders also use sunglasses underneath the helmets that can interfere with the use and comfort of the helmet.  
           [0007]    Furthermore, it is known that prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun can cause damage to the eye.  
           [0008]    Similar problems exist for snowmobilers and other persons who require protective helmets.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    In general, the invention features a protective helmet visor apparatus and method.  
           [0010]    In general, in one aspect, the invention features a visor apparatus, including an elongated translucent planar strip having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the strip has substantially smooth edges.  
           [0011]    In one implementation, the strip is a material adapted to cling to a surface of a translucent protective face mask.  
           [0012]    In another implementation, the material has static electrical properties that make the material adapted to cling to the surface of the mask.  
           [0013]    In another implementation, the material is poly vinyl.  
           [0014]    In another implementation, the smooth edges are adapted to withstand a force applied substantially parallel to the face mask, and thereby remaining clung to the face mask.  
           [0015]    In another implementation, the force is wind shear.  
           [0016]    In still another implementation, the strip allows transmission of visible wavelengths at a reduced intensity.  
           [0017]    In yet another implementation, the strip prevents transmission of ultraviolet wavelengths.  
           [0018]    In another implementation, the strip is adapted to affix to the inner surface of a motorcycle face mask.  
           [0019]    In another implementation, one edge of the strip includes flaps that are adapted to accommodate motorcycle helmet brow vents, thereby providing sunlight protection throughout the entire upper portion of the helmet.  
           [0020]    In another implementation, wherein the flaps fit in between and around the brow vents.  
           [0021]    In another implementation, wherein the strip further comprises rounded corners.  
           [0022]    In another implementation, the strip is adapted to be cut into various shapes.  
           [0023]    In another implementation, the strip is soft and bendable.  
           [0024]    In another implementation, the strip is optionally polarized.  
           [0025]    In another implementation, the strip further comprises a green tint.  
           [0026]    In another aspect, the invention features a method of providing a visor to a protective helmet face mask, including providing an elongated translucent planar strip having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the strip has substantially smooth edges, mixing soap and water to obtain a soapy mixture, applying a thin layer of the soapy mixture to a location on a surface of the face mask, applying the elongated planar strip to the location on the face mask containing the soapy mixture and smoothing out any air bubbles located between the surface and the strip.  
           [0027]    In one implementation, the planar strip further comprises a series of flaps.  
           [0028]    In another implementation, the method further includes fitting the flaps between and around brow vents on the helmet.  
           [0029]    In another aspect, the invention features a protective helmet visor system, including a protective helmet having a face mask an elongated translucent planar strip attached to a surface of the face mask, the strip having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the strip has substantially smooth edges and rounded corners, and wherein the strip allows transmission of visible light and prevents transmission of ultraviolet light.  
           [0030]    One advantage of the invention is that it protects the rider from ultraviolet wavelengths and attenuates other wavelengths.  
           [0031]    Another advantage is that the invention provides sun protection during the day and does not impede night vision.  
           [0032]    Another advantage is that invention removes the need for additional sun protection such as tinted face masks and sunglasses.  
           [0033]    Another advantage is that the invention allows the rider to use both hands for operation of the vehicle.  
           [0034]    Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0035]    [0035]FIG. 1 illustrates a motorcycle helmet having an embodiment of a visor apparatus;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a helmet visor apparatus;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a helmet visor apparatus;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 4 illustrates a motorcycle helmet having an alternate embodiment of a visor apparatus;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an alternate embodiment of a visor apparatus; and  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of an alternate view of a visor apparatus. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0041]    Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures, reference is made first to FIG. 1 that illustrates a motorcycle helmet  105  having an embodiment of a visor apparatus  100 . The helmet  105  includes, among other things, a translucent face mask  110 . Many helmets such as helmet  105  include brow vents  115  in the upper portion of the face mask. The brow vents  115  can be adjusted by the wearer of the helmet in order to let air into the helmet. As further described below, the visor apparatus can be affixed to the upper portion of the face mask  110  and adjusted around the brow vents  115  to provide full coverage of sun protection.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a helmet visor apparatus  100 . The visor apparatus is typically an elongated flaccid, flexible, soft and bendable strip  100   a . The strip  100   a  typically includes properties that allow it to adhere and affix to the face mask of a protective helmet (see FIG. 1 above). In general, the properties that allow this affixation are static electrical properties. In one embodiment, the strip  100   a  is comprised of a poly vinyl material. The strip  100   a  also includes generally smooth and rounded edges  120  that aid in preventing the strip  105  from being removed from the face mask from forces generally parallel to the strip  100   a  such as wind shear.  
         [0043]    The strip  100   a  is generally translucent, allowing the transmission of visible wavelengths but includes properties that attenuate various wavelengths of sunlight, thereby reducing the transmitted intensity. In one embodiment, the strip virtually eliminates and prevents the transmission of ultraviolet wavelengths. In general, the strip  100   a  can have a variety of tints such as a green tint.  
         [0044]    The visor apparatus  100  generally includes flaps  106 ,  107  on one edge of the strip  100   a . The flaps  106 , 107  are adapted to accommodate motorcycle helmet brow vents  115 , thereby providing sunlight protection throughout the entire upper portion of the face mask  110 . The outerflaps  106  provide sunlight protection on the outer edges of the brow vents  115 , and the inner flap  107  provides sunlight protection between the two brow vents  115 . In this way, the rider need not cut or adjust the strip  100   a  in order to accommodate the brow vents  115 . The flaps  106 ,  107  therefore form recesses  108  into which the brow vents 115 fit. In one implementation, the strip can be further cut to a desired shape.  
         [0045]    The strip  100   a  also includes generally rounded corners. The flaps  106  also form two of the corners of the strip  100   a  and are shown generally rounded. The two bottom corners  109  are also rounded.  
         [0046]    In another embodiment, the strip  100   a  can optionally be polarized or a further polarized strip (not shown) can be added to the strip  100   a  in order to filter polarized light and glare such as from a road surface, snow or other reflective surfaces.  
         [0047]    It has generally been determined that the overall length of the strip is about nine inches. To accommodate most brow vents, the length A can be about 2.75 inches and the length B is about 1.625 inches. The length C can be about 3.5 inches. In general, the flap  107  has a height differential with respect to the flaps  106 . The flap  107  is generally higher than flaps  106 . From the lower straight edge, there are generally three heights. The first is the height to the bottom of the recess  108 . The second height is to the top of the flaps  106 . The third height is to the top of the flap  107 . The length of the flap  107  is generally longer than flaps  106  and than the length of the recess  108 . The length recess  108  is generally longer than the length of the flaps  106 . The recess  108  tapers downward to the bottom. The top of the recess  108  is generally longer than the bottom of the recess  108 . In one embodiment, the top of the recess  108  is about 2.375 inches, and the bottom of the recess, B, is about 1.625 inches. These lengths and heights generally accommodate the brow vents.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a helmet visor apparatus  100 . This top view shows the flaps  106 ,  107  as well as recesses  108 . The edges  120  are generally rounded and smooth as described above with respect to FIG. 2.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 4 illustrates a motorcycle helmet  205  having an alternate embodiment of a visor apparatus  200 . The helmet  205  includes, among other things, a translucent face mask  210 . As further described below, the visor apparatus can be affixed to the upper portion of the face mask  210  or other desired locations of the face mask  210  to provide full protection from sunlight.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an alternate embodiment of a visor apparatus  200 . The visor apparatus  200  is typically an elongated flaccid, flexible, soft and bendable strip  200   a . The strip  200   a  typically includes properties that allow it to adhere and affix to the face mask of a protective helmet. In general, the properties that allow this affixation are static electrical properties. In one embodiment, the strip  200   a  is comprised of a poly vinyl material. The strip  200   a  also includes generally smooth and rounded edges  220  that aid in preventing the strip  205  from being removed from the face mask from forces generally parallel to the strip  200   a  such as wind shear.  
         [0051]    The strip  200   a  is generally translucent, allowing the transmission of visible wavelengths but includes properties that attenuate various wavelengths of sunlight, thereby reducing the transmitted intensity. In one embodiment, the strip virtually eliminates and prevents the transmission of ultraviolet wavelengths. In general, the strip  200   a  can have a variety of tints such as a green tint. The strip  200   a  can generally be formed and cut into desired shapes. The strip  200   a  also includes generally rounded corners  209 .  
         [0052]    In another embodiment, the strip  200   a  can optionally be polarized or a further polarized strip (not shown) can be added to the strip  200   a  in order to filter polarized light and glare such as from a road surface, snow or other reflective surfaces.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of an alternate view of a visor apparatus  200 . The edges  120  are generally rounded and smooth as described above with respect to FIG. 2.  
         [0054]    The visor apparatus  200  is generally adapted to affix to the upper portion of the face mask to provide sunlight from generally above and ahead of the rider. However, the visor apparatus  200  can easily be affixed to the bottom portion of a face mask to attenuate reflections from the road surface and other surfaces. The visor apparatus  200  can also be affixed to any desired location on the face mask.  
         [0055]    Generally, the visor apparatuses  100 ,  200  is best affixed on the inner surface of the face mask away from external forces such as wind shear. It is understood that the visor apparatuses  100 ,  200  can be affixed to the outer surface of the face mask and is adapted to withstand the external forces. The rounded edges  120 ,  220  as well as the rounded corners  106 ,  109 ,  209  are adapted to better withstand the external forces.  
         [0056]    In addition to the adaptations to avoid the apparatus&#39; removal from the face mask, as described above, the rider can also provide further adherence between the face mask and the apparatuses. The rider can mix soap and water to obtain a soapy mixture and apply a thin layer of the soapy mixture to a location on a surface of the face mask as well as to a surface of the apparatus  100 ,  200  that is to be affixed to the face mask. The rider can then apply the apparatus  100 ,  200  to the desired location on the face mask containing the soapy mixture. Generally, air bubbles may be formed between the apparatus  100 ,  200  and the face mask. The rider can simply smooth away the bubbles. The soapy mixture allows the apparatus to be manipulated on the face mask and to easily smooth out the bubbles. It has been determined that the soapy mixture enhances the static electrical forces as well as other surface forces that act in between the apparatus  100 ,  200  and the surface of the face mask.  
         [0057]    In other embodiments, the strip  100   a ,  200   a  has additional features such as a light absorption rate of about 78%. The strip is also about 0.008 inches thick. The strip  100   a ,  200   a  is static.  
         [0058]    A motorcycle helmet has been used to describe the embodiments. However, it is understood that the embodiments described above can be used with other protective helmets such as but not limited snow mobile helmets, car helmets, riot helmets, hockey helmets, football helmets and other helmets having protective face masks.  
         [0059]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, various modifications may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and which are set forth in the appended claims.