Abstract:
A sport helmet with an integral fan apparatus particularly useful on paintball helmets is herein disclosed, comprising a small fan affixed to a visor portion to propel outside ambient temperature air into helmet and past the face shield. The propelled air, being the same temperature and humidity as the outside air, will eliminate possible fogging and condensation on the surface of the face shield. The fan is battery-powered and is controlled by a small switch located on the exterior of the helmet where it is easily operated by a user. The fan apparatus can also be provided as a retrofit kit for installation onto an existing helmet.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/268,542 filed Jun. 15, 2009, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to protective headwear used in sports and the like, and in particular, to such protective headwear with additional provisions for providing electric cooling and defogging function. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many popular sports activities are regularly accompanied the use of protective clothing and accessories. In particular, many sports with a high degree of possible contact from either other participants or accessories of the game require that those engaging in the activities be properly protected. 
     In particular, in such activities, the head is one of the most vulnerable areas of the human body. As a result, helmets are one (1) of the most common protective devices. Such helmets are utilized in activities ranging from football to motor sports to paintball. Common issues with such headgear include problems such physical discomfort, uncomfortable temperatures due to lack of ventilation, and limited visibility. Visibility is often further aggravated by the fact that many helmets utilized for purposes such as motor sports and paintball require the use of transparent or translucent face guards for the purposes of shielding the user&#39;s eyes from debris and the like. These faceguards often tend to become foggy due to condensation from the stuffy temperature conditions interior to the helmet. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide ventilated helmets. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 3,881,198, issued in the name of Waters, describes a detachable air conditioning unit with a corresponding helmet device which provides threadably attachable air cooling and fan capabilities to the helmet. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,550, issued in the name of Hodgkinson et al., describes a protective head gear unit which includes filter vents in addition to a removable lens portion. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,010,813, issued in the name of Ahn et al., describes a leisure sports helmet with an integral fan and vents to provide convective heat removal for purposes of cooling a user&#39;s head. 
     Additionally, ornamental designs for headgear with a built-in fan exist, particularly U.S. Pat. No. D 297,584. However, none of these designs are similar to the present invention. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices are not suitable for use with a variety of conventional sporting headgear styles, particularly existing helmets. Also, many such devices do not provide features of detachability when such ventilating or cooling features are not necessary. In addition, many such devices are not configured in a manner which mitigates condensation on a faceguard portion of the headgear. Accordingly, there exists a need for a sport helmet without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a means to provide cooling and convection features to a sports helmet in a manner which significantly mitigates condensation on a faceguard and which is attachable and removable at a user&#39;s discretion. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to comprise features of a conventional sporting helmet such as a paintball helmet which completely encompasses the head and face of a user to provide protection against impact of paintballs and the like. The apparatus comprises a unitary molded “U”-shaped form further comprising a helmet shell, a face shield, and rearwardly extending top vent panels. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a removable visor assembly for protecting the face portion of the user. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to eliminate condensation and fogging of a face shield portion of the helmet. The visor assembly comprises an internal fan powered by an integral battery. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide cooling for a user&#39;s head via convective ventilation of the interior portion of the helmet through the vent panels. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide secure engagement with a user&#39;s head via an adjustable head strap assembly which wraps around a user&#39;s head in a conventional manner. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide enclosure for the fan assembly and shading to a user&#39;s face via the removably attachable visor assembly. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide anti-fogging functions via secure enclosure and suitable positioning of the fan assembly within an interior space of the visor assembly. The helmet assembly comprises an electrical enclosure, a fan, a battery and associated electrical wiring portions. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to defog the visor assembly by positioning the fan in a manner such that cooled air is sufficiently provided to the visor prior to exiting the helmet via the vent panels. The air flow is directed through a screen cover and ventilation apertures and subsequently a motioned across the face shield portion. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a simple detachment means for connecting and disconnecting the anti-fogging components from the helmet assembly. The detachment means comprises corresponding male and female connectors between the temple portions of the visor assembly and side surfaces of the helmet shell. The electrical connectors are further removably attached to an inner surface of the helmet assembly with a plurality of common clip fasteners. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a user with means to selectively actuate the anti-fogging features of the apparatus via a conventional ON/OFF switch located along a side surface of the helmet shell. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow for use of the electrical enclosure, fan, switch, and electrical wiring in a retrofit manner for use with an existing helmet. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of procuring an apparatus in a desired size and aesthetic appearance, easily installing or replacing the battery powering means, attaching the electrical enclosure to the visor assembly via the fastening means, connecting the visor assembly to the helmet assembly via corresponding fasteners, donning the helmet, selectively securing the helmet via the adjustable strap assembly, activating the fan as desired via the switch to provide cooling and defogging functions, simply deactivating the fan as desired, and easily detaching and removing the fan and electrical components as desired. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a sport helmet with ventilating fan  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of a sport helmet with ventilating fan  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   a  is an exploded view of a sport helmet with ventilating fan  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a close-up view of a clip fastener portion  115  of the sport helmet with ventilating fan  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up view of a post fastener portion  110  of the of the sport helmet with ventilating fan  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an electrical block diagram of the sport helmet with attachable fan  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of an alternate retrofit embodiment  150  of the sport helmet with ventilating fan  10 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  sport helmet with ventilating fan 
               20  helmet assembly 
               22  helmet shell 
               24  face shield 
               25  vent panel 
               26  ventilation aperture 
               28  first attachment aperture 
               30  second attachment aperture 
               40  visor assembly 
               42  visor brim portion 
               44  visor temple portion 
               46  visor aperture 
               48  pad 
               50  intake aperture 
               60  head strap assembly 
               62  head strap eyelet 
               64  length adjusting fitting 
               80  electrical enclosure 
               82  fan 
               84  battery 
               86  enclosure fastening means 
               87  screen cover 
               88  electrical wiring 
               90  male connector 
               91  female connector 
               92  switch 
               94  switch fastener 
               96  switch aperture 
               100  air flow 
               110  post fastener 
               111  post 
               112  screw 
               115  clip fastener 
               116  base 
               118  hook 
               120  adhesive layer 
               122  paper backing 
               150  alternate retrofit embodiment 
               160  existing helmet 
               162  existing visor 
               164  existing face shield 
               180  existing head strap 
               185  existing strap fastener 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5  and in terms of an alternate embodiment, herein depicted within  FIG. 6 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a sport helmet with ventilating fan (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a sport helmet assembly  20  comprising a removable visor assembly  40  having an internal fan  82  being powered by at least one (1) battery  84 . A flow of air  100  produced by the fan  82  eliminates condensation and fogging of a face shield portion  24  while maintaining a normal protection thereto a cranium of a user by the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  is particularly suited for use during aggressive sport activities such as paintball and the like. The apparatus  10  is to be made using a resilient plastic compound and fabricated in an injection-molding process in various sizes and colors. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , side and rear perspective views of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a helmet assembly  20  which is similar thereto commercially available paintball helmets which completely encompass the face of a user, thereby providing protection against the impact of paintballs. The helmet assembly  20  comprises a unitary molded “U”-shaped form further comprising portions including a helmet shell  22 , an integral face shield  24 , and, a horizontal rearwardly extending top vent panel  25  which further comprises a plurality of parallel oval-shaped ventilation apertures  26 . The helmet assembly  20  secures to a rear portion of a user&#39;s head using a two (2) piece elastic and adjustable head strap assembly  60  which wraps around the user&#39;s head and utilizes a length adjusting fitting  64  such as a tri-glide or equivalent molded plastic device. The head strap assembly  60  comprises a strong strapping material such as nylon, canvas fabric, flexible extruded plastic, or the like. The head strap assembly  60  is affixed to a pair of second attachment aperture portions  30  of said helmet shell  22  via a pair of integral plastic or metal head strap eyelets  62  located at end portions of said head strap assembly  60  being affixed thereto using common joining processes such as welding, crimping, or the like. Said head strap eyelets  62  and second attachment apertures  30  are joined by horizontally inserting and threadingly engaging a pair of post fasteners  110 , thereby providing a pivoting connection of the head strap assembly  60  with regards to the helmet assembly  20 . 
     The face shield portion  24  of the helmet assembly  20  comprises a transparent and distortion-free arcuate plastic panel providing protection to the user&#39;s eyes. The helmet assembly  20  also comprises a removably attachable visor assembly  40  which encloses the fan  82  while providing a normal shading means (see  FIG. 3   a ). The helmet assembly  20 , face shield  24 , and visor assembly  40  are to be fabricated using resilient shock-resistant plastic compounds common in the industry and may be introduced having various colors and patterns. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3   a , an exploded view of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; is disclosed. The helmet assembly  20  further comprises anti-fogging components which are housed within an interior space of the visor assembly  40  and comprise an electrical enclosure  80 , a fan  82 , at least one (1) battery  84 , and interconnecting electrical wiring  88 . 
     The electrical enclosure  80  provides a protective molded plastic housing containing the fan  82  and batteries  84 . Said electrical enclosure  80  comprises a rectangular enclosure further comprising a filtering screen cover  87  along a bottom surface. Said electrical enclosure  80  is to be located therewithin a forwardly extending visor brim portion  42  of the visor assembly  40  subjacent to a plurality of intake apertures  50  on an upper surface of the visor brim portion  42  and affixed discreetly to a bottom surface of said visor brim portion  42  using a plurality of enclosure fastening means  86  such as screws, snapping post-and-socket fasteners, or the like, at corner locations, thereby allowing a user ease-of-access when replacing said batteries  84 . Said electrical enclosure  80  and enclosed fan  82  provide thermal comfort and improved visibility to the user while wearing the apparatus  10  while participating in a paintball sport or similar activity. The batteries  84  are to be mounted electrically within the electrical enclosure  80  and preferably comprise disposable or rechargeable DC cells being one and one-half (1½) or nine (9) volts. 
     The fan  82  comprises a horizontally-mounted unit which inducts air through the intake apertures  50 ; directs an air flow  100  downwardly through the aforementioned screen cover  87 ; through the ventilation apertures  26 ; into the helmet assembly  20 ; and, subsequently motioned across the face shield portion  24 , thereby providing a defogging means to said face shield  24  and a cooling means thereto the user. The fan  82  is centrally located and mounted thereto a bottom surface of the visor brim portion  42  of the visor assembly  40 . The fan  82  is envisioned to comprise a standard miniature “muffin” style DC electrical fan  82  having a rectangular housing and being approximately one-and-a-half (1½) to two (2) inches on each side. 
     The electrical wiring  88  comprises an integral male connector  90  and a female connector  91  which provide a detachable means between the electrical enclosure  80  and an ON/OFF switch  92  located along a side surface of the helmet shell  22  for ease of connecting and disconnecting the anti-fogging components from the helmet assembly portion  20  of the apparatus  10 . The connectors  90 ,  91  comprise common miniature two (2) prong insulated components. The electrical wiring  88  is removably attached thereto an inter surface of the helmet assembly  20  therewith a plurality of common clip fasteners  115  (see  FIG. 3   b ). 
     The ON/OFF switch  92  is envisioned to comprise a common “push-on, push-off” manual pushbutton device providing user-initiated power to the fan  82 . Said ON/OFF switch  92  is to be conveniently located along a side surface of the helmet shell  22 . Said switch  92  comprises a panel-mount device being mounted thereto an inner surface of the helmet shell  22  using a switch fastener  94  preferably comprising a hook-and-loop fastening means for easy removal. A button portion of the switch  92  protrudes through a switch aperture  96  located along a side surface of said helmet shell  22 , thereby allowing a user to easily activate the switch  92  to supply electrical power to the fan  82  as needed. The switch  92  is depicted here as a common pushbutton-type device; however, other switch types may be also provided such as toggle, single pole-single throw (SPST), a multi-way switch, a rocker switch, and the like, providing equal benefit, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the apparatus  10 . 
     The visor assembly  40  is removably attached to the helmet shell  22  via a pair of visor apertures  46  located along visor temple portions  44  of said visor assembly  40 , and corresponding first attachment apertures  28  being located at opposing side portions of the helmet shell  22 . Said aligned apertures  46 ,  28  are joined by horizontally inserting a pair of post fasteners  110 , thereby providing a pivoting connection means allowing the visor assembly  40  to be pivoted upwardly to access the electrical enclosure  80  as needed (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     Said visor assembly  40  additionally comprises an arcuate foam rubber pad  48  across a rear curved edge of the visor brim portion  42  being affixed using common adhesives. Said pad  42  extends downwardly to provide a parallel seal against a top surface of the subjacent vent panel  25 . Said pad  48  also provides a soft padded surface to protect a users head if contacted during use. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3   b , a close-up view of a clip fastener portion  115  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The clip fasteners  115  comprises a common molded plastic device providing removable attachment of the electrical wiring  88  being routed along an inner surface of the helmet shell  22 . Said clip fasteners  115  comprise a common tacky adhesive layer  120  along a rear surface being protected using a peel-off wax paper backing  122 . Each clip fastener  115  further comprises a base  116  and an integral flexible hook feature  118  providing a protruding arcuate profile designed to capture the electrical wire  88  securely between said hook  118  and said base  116 . It is understood by those skilled in the art that other wire fastening devices such as hook-and-loop fasteners may also be used with equal benefit without deviating from the concept and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a close-up view of a post fastener portion  110  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The post fastener  110  provides removable attachment of the visor assembly  40  and head strap assembly  60  to the side portions of the helmet shell  22 . Said post fasteners  110  comprise common two-piece plastic or metal threaded fasteners commonly used for binding books, manuals, and the like. Each post fastener  110  comprises a female threaded post  111  and a male threaded screw  112  portion being threadingly engaged so as to result in a specific gap therebetween being slightly greater than a combined thickness of the joined portions  20 ,  40 ,  60 , thereby allowing free rotary motioning of said visor assembly  40  and head strap assembly  60  with respect to the helmet shell  22 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an electrical block diagram of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a simple DC circuit being powered by the batteries  84  housed within the electrical enclosure  80 . The batteries  84  are interconnected thereto a “push-on, push-off” type switch  92  and subsequently to the fan  82  using common electrical wiring  88 . When initially depressed, the switch  92  closes the circuit, thereby directing power to the fan  82  which in turn circulates ambient air  100  into the helmet assembly  20  and across the face shield portion  24 . Pressing the switch  92  a second time opens the circuit, thereby shutting off the fan  82  and stopping the flow of air  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a side perspective view of an alternate retrofit embodiment  150  of the apparatus  10 , is disclosed. The electrical enclosure  80 , fan  82 , switch  92 , and electrical wiring  88 , may also be provided as an add-on aftermarket kit for installation on existing helmets  160  by a final user. The existing helmet  160  is envisioned to comprise basic portions such as an existing visor  162 , an existing face shield  164 , an existing head strap  180 , and an existing strap fastener  185 . Various modifications to said existing helmet  160  and/or existing visor portion  162  may be required to properly install and facilitate said alternate retrofit embodiment  150 . Said alternate retrofit embodiment  150  may be affixed to the interior or exterior surfaces of said existing helmet  160  and secured using the clip fasteners  115 , the switch fastener  94 , as well as various other fastening means as required. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring the apparatus  10  having a desired size and color; removing the electrical enclosure  80  from the visor assembly  40  by removing the enclosure fastening means  86 ; installing a fresh or recently charged set of disposable or rechargeable batteries  84  into the electrical enclosure  80 ; replacing the electrical enclosure  80  to the visor assembly  40  using the enclosure fastening means  86 ; connecting the visor assembly  40  to the helmet assembly  20  by inserting post fasteners  110  through the first attachment apertures  28  and the visor apertures  46 ; threadingly engaging post  111  and screw  112  portions of the post fasteners  110 ; connecting the male  90  and female  91  portions of the wiring  88 ; pivoting the visor assembly  40  downwardly until the pad portion  48  contacts the subjacent vent panel portion  25  of the helmet assembly  20 ; mounting the head strap assembly  60  to the helmet shell  22  by inserting the post fasteners  110  through the second attachment apertures and the head strap eyelets  62 ; threadingly engaging post  111  and screw  112  portions of the post fasteners  110 ; positioning the apparatus  10  on the user&#39;s head in a normal manner; adjusting a length of the head strap assembly  60  using the length adjusting fitting  64  as needed, to obtain a desired comfortable fit; depressing the switch  92  to provide power to the fan  82 , thereby circulating ambient air  100  through the visor apertures  46 , the fan  82 , the screen cover  87 , the ventilation apertures  26 , and finally across the face shield portion  24  of the helmet assembly  20  to remove or prevent condensation and fogging of said face shield  24 ; participating in a paintball sport or other similar activity as desired; depressing the switch  92  a second time to turn off the fan  82  upon completion of said activity; removing the helmet assembly  20  from the users head; and, storing the apparatus  10  until once again needed. 
     The method of utilizing the alternate retrofit embodiment  150  of the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the alternate retrofit embodiment  150  comprising the electrical enclosure  80 , fan  82 , switch  92 , electrical wiring  88 , and provided fasteners; retrofitting the apparatus  10  into an existing helmet  160  by making any required mechanical modifications to the helmet  160  and/or visor  162  portions necessary to facilitate the alternate retrofit embodiment  150 ; mounting the electrical enclosure  80  to the existing helmet  160  or visor  162 ; mounting the switch  92  to the existing helmet  160  using the switch fastener  94 ; routing the wiring  88  along internal or external surfaces of the existing helmet  160  as desired; securing said electrical wiring  88  to the surface of the existing helmet  160  by affixing a plurality of clip fasteners  115  by removing the paper backing  122  from the adhesive layer  120 ; pressing and securing the clip fastener  115  against said surface of the existing helmet  160 ; inserting the wiring  88  into the hook portions  118  of said clip fasteners  115 ; joining the male  90  and female  91  connector portions of the wiring  88 ; positioning the existing helmet  160  on the user&#39;s head in a normal manner; operating the air circulation function of the alternate retrofit embodiment  150  as described above. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.