Protective helmet for horses

The protective helmet includes a hard plastic shell member which is configured to fit over the top of the horse's head, with openings for the ears of the horse. The shell member has a particular configuration, with a front edge which fits around the top of the eyes of the horse and curves slightly downwardly between the eyes, side edges which extend from the front edge to the rear of the horse's head, and a rear edge which is located a distance down the back of the neck of the horse. An interior member is positioned on the interior surface of the shell member, made of soft, pliable material which conforms to the surface configuration of the horse's head when the helmet is secured thereto. A strap assembly extends between the respective sides edges of the shell member, including a buckle or other attachment portion which permits adjustable securement of the helmet on the horse's head.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to protective equipment for horses, and more particularly concerns a protective helmet for use on horses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The importance of protecting a horse's head during certain activities such as, for instance, transporting of the horse, has been recognized. Other activities involve possible hazardous circumstances, such as mounted police action. There have been a variety of structural approaches in providing protective helmets for horses. Many helmets are quite simple and cover only small portions of the horse's head. In some cases, the helmets are actually more decorative than protective and provide only minimal actual protection. On the other hand, many helmets are structurally complex, often covering too much of the horse's head and/or are too expensive. In addition, many known helmets are uncomfortable for the horse and raise the possibility of the horse injuring itself as it tries to get the helmet off.

Hence, there is a need for a horse helmet which provides good protection for the horse's head, particularly during transport, but for other activities as well, but is simple in design, relatively inexpensive, and is at least reasonably comfortable for the horse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is a protective helmet for horses, comprising: a single-piece hard shell member, configured to fit over the top of and partially around the horse's head, with openings therein for the ears of the horse, the shell member having a front edge which fits around the top of the eyes of the horse and extends slightly downwardly between the eyes, opposing side edges which extend from the front edge to the rear of the horse's head, below the ears, and a rear edge, which extends across the rear of the neck of the horse a distance downwardly from the top of the horse's head; an interior member positioned at an interior surface of the shell member, made of soft, pliable material which is capable of conforming to the surface configuration of the horse's head when the helmet is secured thereon; and a strap assembly which extends between the respective side edges of the shell member, providing a snug fit for the protective helmet on the horse's head.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The figures show a protective helmet for horses. The helmet is configured to provide significant protection for a horse's head during transport or other activities where such protection may be advisable, while at the same time is at least reasonably comfortable for the horse, such that the horse does not become preoccupied with removing the helmet.

The protective helmet shown generally at10comprises three main portions; a hard plastic outer shell12, a soft inner lining which is capable of conforming to the exterior configuration of the horse's head14, and a strap assembly16which extends beneath the head of the horse and holds the helmet securely in place on the horse's head.

Outer shell12is made from a hard plastic material such as polyurethane, similar to, for instance, a ski or motorcycle helmet. Typically, it is a single, unitary piece. Also typically, the outer shell will be approximately ⅛ inch thick, although this could be varied. The configuration of outer shell12is important. Outer shell12includes a front edge20which extends around the top of the horse's eyes, and then curves down somewhat between the eyes of the horse, as shown. Curved portion22of front edge20between the horse's eyes generally extends slightly below the horse's eyes at its lowest point, although this can be varied to some extent as well. Towards the top of the outer shell12on opposing sides of the helmet, above the eye portions of the front edge, are two triangular openings24and26, through which the ears of the horse extend when the helmet is in place.

Referring specifically toFIG. 2, the outer shell12further includes two opposing side edges28and30which are generally identical and extend between the front edge20and a rear edge29. The side edges28begin approximately 2 inches or so below the eyes of the horse, down the side of the horse's head, beginning with a slightly convex curve over a first portion of the side edge to a point51, below the ear opening. The side edge then curves concavely until it intersects with rear edge29approximately perpendicular thereto. Rear edge29(FIG. 3) is concave between the two side edges28,30.

Outer shell12has a plurality of small openings36-36therethrough. Typically, the openings36are in the rear portion of the helmet (behind the ear openings) and also in the front portion of the helmet, generally in a central region thereof. The openings36-36can vary significantly in shape and number and are for air circulation.

The second portion of the helmet10is the inner liner14. In the embodiment shown, inner liner14is a foam cushioning material approximately one-half inch thick. The foam cushioning material generally follows the outline of the outer shell, except at the rear edge29of the outer shell, where the inner liner14has a convex edge, extending below the concave rear edge, such that a portion40of inner liner14is exposed. This exposed portion40of the inner liner provides additional protection for the rear neck of the horse without the discomfort of a hard shell extending too far down the back of the horse's neck. While, as explained above, outer shell12is, in the embodiment shown, a single unitary piece of plastic, the inner liner14could be a single piece of foam material, or it could be individual pieces. Inner liner14is removable, typically secured to the interior surface of the outer shell12by attachment strips of adhesive-type material, such as Velcro® strips.

Inner liner14also has openings therethrough which are in registry with openings36-36in the outer shell12. The inner liner comprises a specific foam material which conforms to the configuration of the horse's head when the helmet is in place on the horse. The material must be flexible and pliable as well as soft. This results in the helmet being comfortable for the horse when the helmet is in place, and protects against the horse attempting to remove the helmet or becoming preoccupied therewith.

The third portion of helmet10is the strap assembly16. The strap assembly includes strap portions44,46, which extend from each side edge of the helmet. Strap portions44,46, extend, respectively, as shown most clearly inFIGS. 2 and 3, from the vicinity of the rear end49of each side edge, and from a point near the front end of each side edge. The two straps44,46are secured to a metal triangle connecting piece48.

A cross-strap50extends downwardly from connecting member48. The free end of the cross-strap50includes a buckle or a Velcro® patch which mates with a similar member on a connecting strap52from the other side edge of the helmet. The buckle or Velcro® element and the matching member on the other connecting strap52, when fitted together, produce a snug fit for the helmet on the horse.

In use, when connecting straps50,52are undone from each other, the helmet10is slipped on the head of the horse, allowing the ears of the horse to protrude through openings24,26. The helmet will typically then be adjusted for proper positioning; connecting straps50,52are then connected together to produce a comfortable, yet snug fit on the head of the horse.

The helmet may be colored to identify particular uses of the helmet, if desired. For instance, for dangerous or hazardous situations, the helmet could be black; in sporting events, various desired colors could be used to match the uniforms of the riders, and for military use, camouflage colors could be used.

The helmet itself, as indicated above, is valuable for the specific event of transporting horses; however, it could be used on police horses in hazardous situations or in military applications or in competitive sporting events such as jumping or polo, as well as for abused and neglected horses which might otherwise be inclined to injure themselves in their stalls, etc.

Accordingly, a new horse protective helmet has been shown and described which provides a high level of protection, while at the same time is comfortable for the horse, easy to put on and take off, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is defined by the claims which follow: