Abstract:
A helmet includes a frame component and a detachable, replaceable head-protection component. The frame component includes a facemask and a chin strap attachment. The head-protection component is attached to the frame component by mating respective connectors disposed on each component. Upon an impact, the damaged head-protection component may be removed and replaced with a new replacement head-protection component.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a two-component helmet with a frame component and a detachable, replaceable head-protection component. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Head injuries are of great recent concern in contact sports such as football. Concussions suffered by football athletes have resulted in long-term brain damage and even occasionally death. It has been realized that a greater level of head protection is necessary to protect athletes from such injuries. 
     Traditional helmets, and in particular sports helmets, are designed with a compromise between durability and protection. Since athletes infrequently replace sports helmets, the helmets are traditionally designed to continuously absorb numerous impacts without losing their protective qualities. 
     Sports helmets, such as football helmets, are customarily constructed with an outer hard shell layer, various shock absorption layers, and an inner padded layer that contacts an athlete&#39;s head. The outer hard shell layer does not easily deform, thus allowing the helmet to maintain its structure despite repeated hits. Thus, the helmet may often be used for years without replacement. However, because of the trade-off in durability, the outer hard shell layer suffers in its abilities to absorb and disperse the force from an impact. 
     Bicycle helmets, on the other hand, are designed differently from sports helmets. Since head impacts are not a common occurrence when bicycling, bicycle helmets are designed to deform on impact and spread the force of an impact across a larger area, thus providing a greater level of protection. However, upon a significant impact, a bicycle helmet is permanently damaged and loses its protective functions. Thus, a damaged bicycle helmet cannot be re-used and must be replaced. 
     As such, a need exists in the field of sports helmets for a helmet which provides improved protection for head impacts, using more absorbent materials. However, frequent replacement of such a football helmet may be prohibitively expensive for many athletes. 
     Accordingly, a need exists in the field of sports helmets for a cost-effective helmet that provides improved protection for head impacts through the use of more force absorbent and dispersive materials. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the present invention relates to a helmet comprising a head-covering portion (i.e., crown portion) that, rather than being made of a rigid or hard material, is made of a deformable or impact disbursing material. The head-covering portion includes at least one connector; and a frame portion, said frame portion including at least one connector and adapted to support said head-covering portion, wherein said at least one connector of said frame portion mates with said at least one connector of said head-covering portion to releasably attach said frame portion to said head-covering portion. 
     In another aspect, the present invention relates to a helmet comprising a frame portion, said frame portion including at least one connector and adapted to support a head-covering portion, wherein said at least one connector of said frame portion mates with at least one connector on the head-covering portion to releasably attach said frame portion with the head-covering portion. 
     In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a helmet comprising a head-covering portion which is made of a deformable or impact disbursing material, said head-covering portion including at least one connector and adapted to be attached to a frame portion, wherein said at least one connector of the frame portion mates with said at least one connector of said head-covering portion to releasably attach the frame portion with said head-covering portion. 
     In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of using a helmet, comprising attaching a first head-covering portion, which is made of a deformable or impact disbursing material, to a frame portion, by mating at least one connector on the first head-covering portion with at least one connector on the frame portion; activating a user control to detach the first head-covering portion from the frame portion, wherein the user control releases from or un-mates the at least one connector of the first head-covering portion from the at least one connector of the head-covering portion; and attaching a second head-covering portion to the frame portion, by mating at least one connector on the second head-covering portion with the at least one connector on the frame portion, thereby replacing the first head-covering portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a helmet in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, with a head-protection or first head-covering component attached to a frame or second head-covering component. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the helmet, with the head-protection component detached from the frame component. 
         FIG. 3  is an overhead view of the frame component of the helmet. 
         FIG. 4  is a view illustrating the layers of a protection structure of the head-protection component. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view illustrating the connection of the head-protection component and the frame component. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a helmet in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view illustrating the connection of the head-protection component and the frame component in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
       FIGS. 1 through 5  depict a helmet in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 1  depicts the helmet having its components in an assembled or attached state, while  FIG. 2  depicts the helmet in a disassembled or detached state.  FIG. 3  depicts frame component  110  from an overhead view.  FIG. 4  depicts the layers of a protection structure.  FIG. 5  illustrates the connection of the components. 
     Helmet  100  includes a head-protection component  160  and the frame component  110 . Helmet  100  is formed by attaching head-protection component  160  to frame component  110 . 
     Frame component  110  includes a frame structure  111  having an upward connection surface  120 , chin strap connectors  112  for attaching a chin strap  113 , a facemask  114 , and a detachment control  140  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). In the preferred embodiment, frame component  110  forms a bottom base of assembled helmet  100 . 
     The head-protection component  160  includes a protection structure  161  having a downward connection surface  170 . This protection structure is made from a deformable impact distributing material that disburses the forces of impact. The material thus absorbs such forces rather than transmitting such forces to the head of the wearer, which is the case for helmets having a hard or rigid shell. Head-protection component  160  includes connectors  180  provided on its downward connection surface  170 . Frame component  110  includes connectors  130  provided on its upward connection surface  120 . When head-protection component  160  is attached to frame component  110 , upward connection surface  120  and downward connection surface  170  contact each other. Connectors  180  on head-protection component  160  complement the corresponding connectors  130  on frame component  110 , allowing head-protection component  160  to be fitted to frame component  110 . 
     When head-protection component  160  is attached to frame component  110 , the respective connectors  130  and  180  latch together to provide a locking fit, ensuring that the components do not unintentionally detach from each other. When the components are attached to each other, the exterior boundary between the two components is preferably a flush surface. However, it can be appreciated that the surface may have a stepped, beveled, or other transition at the seam between the components to locate properly the two components together. 
     As previously mentioned, frame component  110  includes a detachment control  140 . Detachment control  140 , when activated, permits the detaching of connectors  180  from connectors  130 , thereby detaching head-protection component  160  from frame component  110 . 
     The present invention may be embodied as a football helmet. When playing in a football game, a player utilizing the present invention will customarily bring only a single frame component  110 , but will bring multiple quantities of head-protection component  160 . Prior to using the helmet, the player or, for example, his assistant, assembles helmet  100  by attaching one of the head-protection components  160  to frame component  110 . The remaining quantities of head-protection components  160  are used as replacements, as will be further discussed. 
     During the game, the player may encounter a significant head impact. When this occurs, the head-protection component  160  on helmet  110  deforms, protecting the player&#39;s head from injury. After the impact, the deformed head-protection component  160  might no longer provide its original level of protection. Thus, the player or his assistant will detach the deformed head-protection component  160  from frame-component  110  and discard the deformed component. The player or his assistant will then retrieve a replacement head-protection component  160 , which may be identical to the original component  160 , and attach it to the frame component  110 . At this point, the player may continue to play the game, but remains protected by the replaced head-protection component to the same extent as was provided by the original component. 
       FIG. 4  shows the features of protection structure  161 . Protection structure  161  is preferably of in-molded construction. Protection structure  161  includes an outer layer  401 , an absorption layer  402 , and a comfort layer  403 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, outer layer  401  is constructed of polycarbonate having a relatively small thickness of 1 mm. Outer layer  401  is a hard outer shell which provides resistance to less-severe impacts. Outer layer  401  may also be smooth, allowing logos or other graphics to be applied thereto. 
     Outer layer  401  is molded to absorption layer  402 . In a preferred embodiment, absorption layer  402  is constructed of expanded polystyrene (EPS) having a thickness of 15 mm and a density of 80 g/l. 
     A comfort layer  403  is applied to the interior surface of absorption layer  402 . In a preferred embodiment, comfort layer  403  is formed of polyurethane form, and is applied as strips or squares in intervals within the interior of structure  403 . However, it can be appreciated that comfort layer  403  can be applied or shaped according to any alternative configuration which allows contact with the head. 
     The attachment features will now be described. 
     As previously mentioned, head-protection component  160  includes connectors  180 , and frame component  110  includes connectors  130 . In the first embodiment, connectors  180  are stationary hooks which protrude from connection surface  170  of head-protection component  160 . In the preferred embodiment, each stationary hook  180  has two extended portions which are beveled or tapered for easier insertion into connector  130 . However, it will be appreciated that each stationary hook  180  may have greater than two extended portions or less than two extended portions, and may be shaped in any appropriate form, so long as it can be inserted into connector  130 . 
     Each connector  130  includes a receiving slot  131  which is integrated with connection surface  120  of frame component  110 . Each connector  130  also includes a spring-loaded mechanism which mates with a respective stationary hook  180 . Each stationary hook  180  is inserted into a respective receiving slot  131  and couples with the spring-loaded mechanism. 
     The spring-loaded mechanism includes at least one retractable latch  132 , at least one spring  133 , and at least one retraction mechanism  134 . Each retractable latch  132  retains a horizontally-extending portion of stationary hook  180 . In a preferred embodiment, retractable latch  132  is beveled or tapered to facilitate acceptance of the stationary hook  180 . Each spring  133  provides a spring force which biases a respective latch  134  in an extended (i.e., latched) position. Each retraction mechanism  134  retracts a corresponding retractable latch  132  from its biased extended position to a retracted (i.e., unlatched) position. 
     In a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 5 , connector  130  includes two retractable latches  132 , and a spring  133  and retraction mechanism  134  corresponding to each retractable latch  132 . However, it will be appreciated that any quantity of retractable latches may be used, and that multiple springs or retraction mechanisms could potentially correspond to a single retractable latch. 
     The spring-loaded mechanism is mechanically coupled to detachment control  140 , which is adapted to control a mechanical state of the spring-loaded mechanism, specifically the position of the retractable latch  132 . By default, detachment control  140  is in a deactivated position. In this state, retractable latch  132  is in its biased extended position, with each latch  132  being extended and retaining an inserted stationary hook  180 . 
     When detachment control  140  is activated, retractable latch  132  switches to the retracted position against the spring force of a respective spring  133 . At this point, retractable latch  132  no longer retains an inserted stationary hook  180 , allowing stationary hook  180  to be withdrawn from connector  130 . 
     Detachment control  140  is preferably a button or a spring-biased switch, but may be any form of user interface capable of controlling each retraction mechanism  134  to retract each retractable latch  132 . Detachment control  140  is also preferably a single interface which simultaneously controls all retraction mechanisms  134 , but may alternatively include multiple interfaces which control less than all of the retraction mechanisms  134  in frame component  110 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, frame component  110  and head-protection component  160  each include six of their respective connectors  130  and  180 , as seen in the overhead view of frame component  110  in  FIG. 3 . Each component has two connectors in the front portion, two connectors in the rear portion, and one connector at each of the left and right portions. However, it will be appreciated that each of head-protection component  160  and frame component  110  may include more than six connectors or less than six connectors. It will also be appreciated that head-protection component  160  and frame component  110  do not necessarily require the same number of respective connectors, but that plural connectors on one component could mate with a single connector on the other component. 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 6  depicts a helmet in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the placement of hooks and slots are reversed, with respect to frame component  110  and head-protection component  160 . Unless indicated otherwise, reference numerals which were previously described with respect to the first embodiment are used herein to describe similar features in the second embodiment. 
     As seen in  FIG. 6 , frame component  110  includes connectors  630  as stationary hooks protruding from upward connection surface  120 . Head-protection component  160  includes connectors  680  as receiving slots integrated with downward connection surface  170 . In this case, a detachment control is preferably provided on head-protection component  160  instead of frame component  110 . 
     Third Embodiment 
       FIG. 7  depicts a helmet configuration in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment, except that the hooks, instead of the latches, contain the spring-loaded retractable mechanism to detach head-protection component  160  from frame component  110 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 7 , frame component  110  still includes connectors  630  as stationary hooks protruding from upward connection surface  120 . However, in this embodiment, connector  630  includes a hook base  631  protruding from upward connection surface  120 , two retractable hook ends  632  extending from hook base  631 , and a spring  633  corresponding to each retractable hook end  632 . Connector  630  also includes a retraction mechanism  634  for retracting one or more retractable hook ends  632  from a biased extended position to a retracted position. In this embodiment, two hook ends  632  are depicted. However, it will be appreciated that any quantity of retractable hook ends may be used, and that multiple springs or retraction mechanisms could potentially correspond to a single retractable hook end. 
     Meanwhile, connector  680  on head-protection component  160  includes a receiving slot  681  on connection surface  170 , and a latch  682 . Unlike the second embodiment, latch  682  in this embodiment is not spring-loaded. Latch  682  is preferably tapered in its outer receiving surfaces to facilitate the insertion of connector  630 , and contains a cavity to accommodate connector  630  having extended hook ends  632 . 
     The spring-loaded mechanism in connector  630  is mechanically coupled to detachment control  140 , which is adapted to control a mechanical state of the spring-loaded mechanism, specifically the position of the retractable hook end  632 . By default, detachment control  140  is in a deactivated position. In this state, retractable hook end  632  is in its biased extended position, with each hook end  632  being extended. The cavity of latch  682  retains connector  630  while hook ends  632  are in the extended position. 
     When detachment control  140  is activated, retractable hook end  632  switches to the retracted position against the spring force of a respective spring  633 . At this point, latch  682  no longer retains hook end  632 , allowing connector  630  to be withdrawn from connector  680 . 
     As with the previous embodiments, detachment control  140  is preferably a button or a spring-biased switch, but may be any form of user interface capable of controlling each retraction mechanism  634  to retract each retractable hook end  632 . Detachment control  140  is also preferably a single interface which simultaneously controls all retraction mechanisms  634 , but may alternatively include multiple interfaces which control less than all of the retraction mechanisms  634  in frame component  110 . 
     It can further be appreciated that the use of a retractable hook end and non-retractable latch is not necessarily limited to this embodiment, but can also be applied to the first embodiment and/or any other applicable embodiments. 
     Alternative Embodiments 
     It will be appreciated that connectors  130  and  180  are not limited to stationary hooks and corresponding receiving slots, but may be any connection mechanism that detachably secures head-protection component  160  to frame component  110 . 
     Additionally, while helmet  100  is depicted as a football helmet in the first and second embodiments, it can be appreciated that the present invention may extend to any other sport or activity that requires head protection. Furthermore, the present invention may also extend to protection equipment for body parts other than the head. 
     In the foregoing description, example aspects of the present invention are described with reference to specific example embodiments. Despite these specific embodiments, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, it is to be understood that example embodiments of the invention may be practiced in a manner other than those specifically described. Accordingly, the specification is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive fashion. It will be evident that modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope. 
     Similarly, it should be understood that the figures are presented solely for example purposes. The architecture of the example embodiments presented herein is sufficiently flexible and configurable such that it may be practiced in ways other than that shown in the accompanying figures. 
     Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the general public, and scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are unfamiliar with patent or legal terms or phrases, to quickly determine from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. It is also to be understood that the processes recited in the claims need not be performed in the order presented.