Stabilizing strap for cyclist helmet

Abstract: The present invention is a stabilizing strap (10) for a cyclist helmet which comprises two flexible elongated strap members (12,14) which are adjustably and releasably attached at their first end (16,18) to the interior surface of the helmet rim portion (46b), at the rear end of the helmet (46), by means of hook and loop fasteners (32,34,48,48'). The strap members (12,14) are adjustably and releasably attached at their second end (20,22) to one another also by means of hook and loop fasteners (28,30). The curved strap (10) is destined to bear on the occipital bone of the head (H), to prevent the helmet (46) from accidentally tilting frontwardly, especially as a result of an impact. The flexibility and the several adjustments of the stabilizing strap (10) allow it to fit heads of different sizes and shapes.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a stabilizing strap for a safety helmet. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION U.S. patent No. 5,351,342 issued in 1994 to the present applicant shows a conventional prior art safety helmet. This helmet is substantially domed-shaped and defines a lower peripheral rim portion. Fastening straps are adapted to be attached under the chin of the helmet wearer, to retain it more securely on the wearer's head. When the helmet is correctly worn, the fastening straps form a Y-shape on each side of the wearer's head, with one strap being positioned in front of the ear and one strap being positioned behind the ear, these two straps joining under the ear to extend under the chin and be attached to the other strap. These fastening straps assist in maintaining the helmet securely attached to the wearer's head. Indeed, not only do they prevent the helmet from vertically moving off the wearer's head, but also they help prevent the helmet from pivoting off the front or the rear of the wearer's head. The main problem with such a helmet is that although the helmet may not pivotally fall off the wearer's head, it is still allowed a considerable pivotal play towards the front of the wearer's head. Because of the position of one of the straps holding the front of the helmet and extending downwardly under the chin, an important backward pivotal movement is prevented. However, the position of the rear strap, which also extends under the chin, will allow a relatively important pivotal play of the helmet, which may result in exposing the back of the wearer's head dangerously during a multiple-impact fall. In international patent application No PCT/US94/07643 published 19 January 1995 as WO 95/01739 to GIRO SPORT DESIGN, inc., there is disclosed a bicycle helmet having a flexible, articulated member depending from the rear of the helmet, providing a closer fit to an individual wearer's head and improving the stability of the helmet on the head. The articulated member contacts the wearer's head beneath the occipital region and applies a forward and upward presure against the head. Two straps are used to connect the articulated member to the main shell. Each strap is connected to the articulated member with a strap connector, so that the straps stretch from one side of the helmet across the back of the articulated member, to the opposite side of the helmet. Adjusting this strap allows the wearer to adjust the forward and upward pressure exerted by the articulated member on the wearer's head. In United States patent No 5 044 019 issued 3 September 1991 to BIOKINETICS AND ASSOCIATES LTD, there is disclosed a pair of strip form headbands, the free ends of which are connected to the brackets for mounting the structure in the helmet. The free ends of the front and rear headbands are pivotally connected to the brackets for rotation around the longitudinal axes thereof. Therefore, a force tending to lift or rotate the helmet from the wearer's head will cause the headbands to pivot downwardly and inwardly against the wearer's head, thus inhibiting removal thereof from the head of the wearer. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a stabilizing strap for a helmet that is adapted to securely bear on the wearer's head to prevent an accidental frontward tilting of the helmet. It is another important object of the invention that the stabilizing strap be flexible and adjustable to fit heads of different sizes and shapes. It is yet another object of the invention that the stabilizing strap be easily adjustable. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the teachings of the invention, there is disclosed a stabilizing device for use at the rear of a cyclist safety helmet and comprising two strap members each strap member having first attachment means proximate to the helmet rear end for releasable and adjustable attachment to the helmet rim portion, and second releasable and adjustable attachment means, being complementary to one another and positioned under the helmet rim portion at the rear of the helmet for releasable and adjustable attachment of the strap members to one another; characterized in that each strap member further includes an intermediate ribbed portion having several widthwise ribs conferring a greater flexibility to said strap member for enhanced relative movement of said first and second strap members relative to one another. Preferably, each strap member further comprises several substantially ovoidal apertures which are positioned at said ribbed portion and extending generally parallel to said ribs for conferring a greater flexibility to said strap member. Preferably, said ribs and said apertures are positioned in an alternating fashion along said ribbed portion. Said first and second attachment means could also be respectively hook and loop fasteners. Preferably, there is further included third attachment means mounted to said first strap member in register with said second attachment means, for releasable attachment of said stabilizing device to a loose flexible cord assembly to be integral to the helmet. Said first and second attachment means could be respectively hook and loop fasteners, said second strap member endwisely overlapping said first strap member upon said second attachment means being engaged. Preferably, said device is a flexible strap and each of said strap members is a separate elongated flexible curved strap member; each strap member comprising a first end portion supporting said first attachment means and a second end portion supporting said second attachment means; said second end portions destined to be positioned under the rim portion of the helmet rim end; said second end portions of said second strap member overlapping said first strap member when attached to one another; wherein the combined said second end portions attached to one another by said second attachment means constitute a means for relative movement of said first and second strap members relative to one another both pivotally about an axis transverse to said attached second end portions, and arcuately along the flexible body of said intermediate portions of said first and second strap members. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the stabilizing strap according to the invention; Figure 2 is a top edge view of the stabilizing strap with the two strap members thereof being released from one another; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of figure 1, at an enlarged scale; Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of the stabilizing strap in operative arcuate condition, attached to the rear portion of a protective helmet illustrated in phantom lines and showing how the two strap members are manually adjustably interconnected; and Figure 6 is a side elevation of a cyclist head wearing a helmet, all in phantom lines, but with the helmet rear portion and associated strap member being shown in full line sectional view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Figures 1 to 4 show the preferred embodiment of the invention. The invention consists of a stabilizing strap 10 comprising a first and a second elongated curved strap member 12 and 14 made of a flexible material, preferably plastic. Each strap member 12, 14 defines respectively a first outer end portion 16, 18, a second inner end portion 20, 22 and an intermediate ribbed portion 24, 26. Second inner end portions 20 and 22 are mirror images of one another. Second strap member second end portion 22 is adapted to overlap first strap member second end portion 20, with registering complementary hook and loop fastener bands 28 and 30 that allow them to be releasably and adjustably attached to one another in this position. When attached in this manner, as shown in figure 1, stabilizing strap 10 is in its operative position and has an upwardly convex shape, with first end portions 16 and 18 being at the uppermost position, opposite one another. First end portions 16 and 18 are elongated and have identical hook or loop (preferably hook) fastener bands 32, 34, on their back surface (which is the surface seen in figure 1). Intermediate ribbed portions 24 and 26 each link the respective first and second ends 16 to 20, and 18 to 22, respectively. Ribbed portions 24 and 26 each defines several widthwise ribs 36, 38, which give ribbed portions 24, 26, a wavy shape (see figure 3), and several substantially ovoidal apertures 40, 42, positioned generally parallel to ribs 36, 38, and in an alternate fashion relative to ribs 36, 38, along ribbed portions 24, 26, respectively. Ribs 36, 38, confer a greater transverse flexibility to strap members 12, 14. Apertures 40, 42, further have the following features: a) they also confer a greater transverse flexibility to strap members 12, 14, while each strap member will conserve an area wide enough to comfortably distribute the pressure applied by it on the wearer's head (this matter will be detailed later); and b) allow a certain aeration to reach part of the head which stabilizing strap 10 is destined to cover. When stabilizing strap 10 is in its operative position, the flexible ribbed portions 24, 26 allow strap member first end portions 16, 18, to move relative to strap member second end portions 20, 22, in an angular fashion, because of the flexibility of ribbed portions 24, 26 (as suggested by the play in phantom lines in figure 1). When stabilizing strap 10 is in its operative position and as suggested in figure 4, ribbed portions 24, 26 will have the greatest flexibility, first end portions 16 and 18 will have an intermediate flexibility while second end portions 20, 22 will have the least flexibility of stabilizing strap 10. The material thickness is the same all along strap 10, except for where second end portions 20 and 22 are overlapping one another, for not only does the thickness double, but also the Hook and LOOP fasteners 28 and 30 add their bulk between second end portions 20 and 22; furthermore, second end portion 22 has an increased thickness as shown at 44. Figures 4 to 6 show a protective helmet 46 (46') defining a rear end 46a (46a') and a lower peripheral rim portion 46b (46b'). Helmet 46 (46') is destined to be placed on the wearer's head H and fastened thereto in a conventional manner. The interior part of helmet rim portion 46b (46b') has two identical hook or loop (preferably loop) fasteners 48, 48' (only one of them is shown in figure 6) which are complementary to fasteners 32, 34 of strap members first end portions 16, 18. Fasteners 48, 48' are positioned symmetrically and spacedly on one side and the other of the interior of rim portion 46b (46b') , near helmet rear end 46a (46a'). In use (figures 5-6), strap members first ends 16, 18, 18' are destined to be adjustably and releasably attached to the interior surface of rim portion 46b (46b'), by means of complementary fasteners 48, or larger pad 48' (the adjustment of first end 18 is suggested in phantom lines in figure 6). The strap members second end portions 20, 22 are to be adjustably and releasably attached to one another by means of fasteners 28, 30, first strap member second end portion 20 being destined to bear on the occipital bone of the wearer's head H, second end portions 20, 22, thus being positioned spacedly under rim portion 46b near rear end 46a. The relative flexibilities of first end portions 16, 18, second end portions 20, 22 and ribbed portions 24, 26 allow stabilizing strap 10 to be correctly positioned on the occipital bone of head H: a) first end portions 16, 18, are flexible enough to curve so as to conform in shape to the curved interior surface of helmet rim portion 46b; b) overlapping second end portions 20, 22 are flexible enough to slightly bend but rigid enough to give a proper support to helmet 46 on the head occipital bone; and c) ribbed portions 24, 26 are very flexible and thus bear conformingly on the head along most of their length to more evenly distribute the pressure applied by strap 10 on head H and also allow the second end portions 20, 22 to be adjustably positioned, for fitting heads of different sizes and shapes. Consequently, if an impact blow occurs on helmet 46 (46') that would pivot or tilt it frontwards, stabilizing strap 10 will retain helmet 10 to keep it properly positioned. Helmet 46 is thus more likely to be positioned to absorb another impact, even though it occurs on the back of the cyclist's head. Preferably, as shown in figures 3 and 6, strap member 12 (and strap member 14 (14')) is covered on its interior (back) surface with a fabric coating layer 50 such as cotton, for the comfort of the wearer. Also, as shown in figures 2, and 6, a small pad 52 (52') is positioned on the interior surface of first strap member second end portion 20 also for the comfort of the wearer. Alternately, pad 52 can be a loop fastener, which would attach itself with a complementary hook fastener fixed on an abutment plate or a stabilizing band (both of them not shown), integral to the helmet, the purpose of which would also be to stabilize the helmet on the wearer's head. According to the objects of the invention, another advantage of the stabilizing strap 10 is that it may be adjusted to the wearer's head size and shape while helmet 46 is worn on the cyclist's head. Indeed, the second end portions 20, 22 are spacedly positioned under rim portion 46b and can easily be reached manually. The hook and loop fasteners 28, 30 allow to easily attach or detach second inner end portions 20, 22 from one another. Therefore, the wearer of helmet 46 need not take his helmet off to adjust stabilizing strap 10. Hence, the present invention is directed to an innovative helmet stabilizing device, which is constructed with two detachable parts molded in a thermoplastic elastomer. In effet, the present invention stabilizing device enables quick micro-fit adjustment of the helmet over the head of the wearer. The two parts of the stabilizing device are joined centrally by a hook and look fastening arrangement, such as VELCRO (registered trademark) fasteners, ergonomically enabling a 30% to 40% angular adjustment of the two parts, to better fit cyclist heads of various shapes and sizes. The present stabilizing device is of simple design, is very practical and easy to install on or remove from the wearer's head, and can be retrofit to most existing cyclist helmet currently on the market.

Claims: A stabilizing device (10) for use at the rear of a cyclist safety helmet (46, 46') and comprising two strap members (12, 14) each strap member having first attachment means (32, 34) proximate to the helmet rear end for releasable and adjustable attachment to the helmet rim portion, and second releasable and adjustable attachment means (28, 30), being complementary to one another and positioned under the helmet rim portion at the rear of the helmet for releasable and adjustable attachment of the strap members to one another; characterized in that each strap member (12, 14) further includes an intermediate ribbed portion (24, 26) having several widthwise ribs (36, 38) conferring a greater flexibility to said strap member for enhanced relative movement of said first and second strap members relative to one another. A stabilizing device as defined in claim 1, wherein each strap member (12, 14) further comprises several substantially ovoidal apertures (40, 42), which are positioned at said ribbed portion (24, 26) and extending generally parallel to said ribs (36, 38) for conferring a greater flexibility to said strap member. A stabilizing device as defined in claim 2, wherein said ribs (36, 38) and said apertures (40, 42), are positioned in an alternating fashion along said ribbed portion (24, 26). A stabilizing device as defined in claim 3, wherein said first and second attachment means (32, 34, and 28, 30) are respectively hook and loop fasteners. A stabilizing device as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3, further including third attachment means (52) mounted to said first strap member (12) in register with said second attachment means (28), for releasable attachment of said stabilizing device (10) to a loose flexible cord assembly to be integral to the helmet. A stabilizing device as in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said first and second attachment means (32,34 and 28, 30) are respectively hook and loop fasteners, said second strap member (14) endwisely overlapping said first strap member (12) upon said second attachment means (28, 30) being engaged. A stabilizing device as in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said device (10) is a flexible strap and each of said strap members (12, 14) is a separate elongated flexible curved strap member; each strap member comprising a first end portion (32, 34) supporting said first attachment means and a second end portion (28, 30) supporting said second attachment means; said second end portions destined to be positioned under the rim portion of the helmet rim end; said second end portions of said second strap member overlapping said first strap member when attached to one another; wherein the combined said second end portions attached to one another by said second attachment means constitute a means for relative movement of said first and second strap members relative to one another both pivotally about an axis transverse to said attached second end portions, and arcuately along the flexible body of said intermediate portions of said first and second strap members.

Inventors: GARNEAU LOUIS, GARNEAU, LOUIS
Applicants: 9001 6262 QUEBEC INC
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A42B3
IPC codes: A42B3, A61P17