Sound attenuator for use in conjunction with the motorcycle helmet or the like

A motorcycle helmet having a modified exterior configuration to attenuate noise generated when passing through the air. The modified helmet begins flaring outwardly from the traditional helmet configuration at a point adjacent to the chin of the wearer, terminates at a location generally behind the ear of the wearer and is spaced from the exterior shell of the helmet at the central portion of the rearward edge. The trailing edge of the sound attentuating device is open so that the wearer retains the ability to hear noises from behind and beside him.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Serious motorcycle riders and those people concerned with safety fully 
agree that the utilization of a helmet while riding a motorcycle or the 
like is imperative. The people who ride the cycles often find the wearing 
of the helmet disagreeable in the fact that it is hot, somewhat restricts 
the vision, and further at high rates of speed generates a noise as it 
passes through the air. The noise is apparently caused or generated by the 
flow of the air along the sides of the helmet. 
Because of the various inconveniences and discomforts of the helmet, it has 
been found that many riders refuse or neglect to wear the helmet resulting 
in a greater incidence of head injury from falls or the like. It is 
imperative therefore that every effort be made to construct and make 
available a helmet which is satisfactory to and comfortable for the rider 
thus removing as many objections to wearing the helmet as possible. 
Helmets known to the inventor which deal with a variety of problems and 
configurations include the following: 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,889,555 granted to Stuart et al June 9, 1959 which 
discloses a helmet to cover the major portion of the head with additional 
coverage means for use over the ear portion. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,102,538 granted to Cowan Sept. 3, 1963 discloses a pressure 
pod for use over the ears with a diving suit. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,178,723 granted to Aileo Apr. 20, 1965 includes a sound 
attenuating device for use within a rigid shell and in particular the 
means for supporting the attenuating device. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,400,406 granted to Aileo on Sept. 10, 1968 discloses a 
means for positioning sound attenuating devices on safety helmets. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,621,488 granted to Gales on Nov. 23, 1971 deals with a 
sound attenuating helmet including spring biased means for covering the 
ears within the helmet. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,423,759 granted to Catroppa et al on Jan. 28, 1969 deals 
with specific sound attenuating devices for use in helmets for helicopter 
pilots or the like. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,568,211 granted to Petruzella, Jr. on Mar. 9, 1971 
discloses a dual visor helmet including an ear cup. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,778,844 granted to Hori et al on Dec. 18, 1973 discloses a 
helmet for utilization on a motorcycle or the like including a means to 
prevent the whistling noise normally heard at the hearing openings in 
helmets of this design. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,715 granted to Cowgills on Feb. 28, 1978 discloses an 
anti-lift device for use in conjunction with a helmet. 
U.S. Design Pat. No. 241,888 granted to Lipper on Oct. 19, 1976 shows the 
design of a helmet. 
U.S. Design Patent No. 242,088 granted to Durand et al on Nov. 2, 1976 
discloses yet another design for helmet. 
With the above noted prior art and deficiencies in mind, it is an object of 
the present invention to provide a modified helmet designed primarily for 
use upon a motorcycle. The traditional motorcycle type helmets currently 
in use were initially designed as crash helmets and not particularly 
designed for use in moving air. The present inventive helmet is stylized 
and designed to abate the noise caused by turbulence and/or laminar flow 
as the helmet passes through the air. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a noise 
attenuating modification for helmets which is attractive in appearance, is 
streamlined and further does not reduce or alter the integrity of the 
helmet itself. 
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a separate, 
attachable modification to a motorcycle helmet wherein the modification is 
in two parts which are applied to the exterior of a standard manufactured 
helmet. When the appliques are applied, they reduce the high pitched noise 
from laminer flow as well as any noise caused by turbulence. The 
attachment includes, within a flexible resilient outwardly extending 
shell, which alters the air flow an insulative or sound absorbing 
material. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a means to break 
up the laminer flow of air over a motorcycle helmet, reduce the noise from 
excessive turbulence and yet to allow the wearer to have the ability to 
hear noises from the side or the rear. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a modification 
to motorcycle helmets which is designed in a shape that does not of 
itself, create an excessively turbulent flow and further channels or 
creates a smooth, noise-reduced exit of air, subjected to laminer flow, as 
it passes over the helmet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
As seen in FIG. 1, a standard full helmet is shown with a visor 4 in 
position. The inventive, sound attenuating/laminer flow dispersing device 
extends from a forwardmost position at 6 where it is relatively narrow, 
fitting along the chin bar, and thin to provide an aerodynamic device, and 
extends rearwardly along the base of the helmet as at 10 and includes a 
top portion which curves upwardly along a line 12 which generally conforms 
to the outer configuration of the visor 4. It is important to note that 
the exterior design of the modified helmet is such that there is a smooth 
flow of air both when the operator is facing forward and when looking 
sideways. At a point adjacent the pivot point 14 of the visor 4, the upper 
surface of the sound attenuating device flows rearwardly as along 16 to 
terminate generally behind the ear of the wearer having a substantially 
vertical but curved rearwardmost edge 18. 
Referring now to FIG. 2, the same basic elements and a different view of 
the helmet can be seen and it further can be seen that the rearward edge 
18 is generally rearwardly of the normal position of the ear of the wearer 
and terminates in a smooth multi-dimensional curved surface. 
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that the outwardly flaring 
extension 5 is open at the rear 18 but extends smoothly and evenly from 
the forward portion 6 to the rearward portion to terminate at the edge 18. 
The necessity of presenting an aerodynamically clean surface to the 
passing air cannot be overstressed. Any unplanned interruption in the 
surface may generate excessive turbulence and noise. A separate but 
interrelated voice which must be addressed is the high pitched noise 
created by laminar flow. To reduce this noise, a minor turbulence is 
permitted to exist. At this point in time, it would appear that our 
technology does not permit the complete elimination of noise and 
therefore, we strive to reduce or eliminate the more offensive noises. It 
is to be noted that the interior of the space between the helmet shell 2 
and the device 5 may be filled with an insulative device to further absorb 
any excess noise. 
As seen in FIGS. 1-5, the extensions on either side of the helmet are 
mounted upon or integrally molded as a part of the helmet 2 and are 
aerodynamically configured to maintain original design laminar flow, 
minimize excessive turbulence and absorb noise. 
Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a similar device 24 having the 
modulating extensions is mounted upon a cutaway helmet 26 and although the 
modulating extensions are necessarily foreshortened, the result is 
substantially identical. It is to be noted that the cutaway helmet 
includes opening 28 and visor 30. 
As seen in FIG. 8, a helmet of FIG. 6 as seen from the front and including 
the extensions or additions 24 becomes a bit broader, however, and it is 
to be noted that when the helmet is turned such that its side is to the 
wind such as when the cyclist is looking over his shoulder or looking for 
traffic, the helmet is more aerodynamically sound and does not create as 
great a stress on the neck or discomfort to the wearer. 
Referring to FIG. 9, it can be seen that an alternative modification of the 
present invention includes appliques 24 which may be adhesively secured to 
helmet 26 in a manner known in the art. 
The applique 24 itself as seen in FIG. 10, includes contoured upper and 
lower portions having an inwardly facing contact surface 28 along a major 
part of the edge which can be adhesively secured to the helmet. As seen in 
this view, insulation 30 could be included to absorb some of the noise. 
Thus, as can be seen, an alteration of the exterior helmet configuration by 
the present invention greatly improves the aerodynamics, reduces noise and 
thus resistance to wear.