Abstract:
A tactical helmet system for covering at least a portion of a head of a user is provided. The tactical helmet system comprises a helmet having a first side and a second side and a facemask releasably securable to the helmet. An adjustment strap having a first end and a second end is provided with both the first end and the second end secured to the facemask. The adjustment strap is extendable about the head of the user and adjustable for a snug fit against the head of the user.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims the benefit of priority of pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/815,312, filed on Apr. 24, 2013, entitled “Tactical Helmet System”. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to a tactical helmet system and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a tactical helmet system presenting airsoft, paintball, and training facilities with a complete, form-fitting, easily adjustable headgear package. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Airsoft is a competitive tactical game, similar to paintball, in which participants shoot round non-metallic pellets launched via replica firearms. Gameplay can feature short-term skirmishes, military simulations, historical reenactments, and target shooting events. Airsoft competitors typically emulate the tactical equipment and accessories used by modern military and police organizations. As in paintball, the pellets shot from airsoft guns travel at high velocity, and can do damage to unprotected areas of the eyes, face, and head so airsoft competitors require a helmet, protective goggles, and a lower facemask. The problem, up until now, has been that the various components of this headgear have not been joined into a coherent system that fastens easily and securely, and operates comfortably in the field. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention is a tactical helmet system for covering at least a portion of a head of a user. The tactical helmet system comprises a helmet having a first side and a second side and a facemask releasably securable to the helmet. An adjustment strap having a first end and a second end is provided with both the first end and the second end secured to the facemask. The adjustment strap is extendable about the head of the user and adjustable for a snug fit against the head of the user. 
         [0007]    In addition, the present invention includes a tactical helmet system for covering at least a portion of a head of a user. The tactical helmet system comprises a helmet having a first side and a second side and a facemask. A first aperture is formed in the first side of the helmet and a second aperture formed in the second side of the helmet. A first adjustable strap having a first portion and a second portion is provided with the first portion secured to the first aperture by a first anchor and the second portion secured to the facemask. A second adjustable strap having a first portion and a second portion is provided. The first portion secured to the second aperture by a second anchor, the second portion secured to the facemask. A first buckle releasably connects the first portion and the second portion of the first adjustable strap together. A second buckle releasably connects the first portion and the second portion of the second adjustable strap together. A facemask adjustment strap having a first end and a second end is provided with both the first end and the second end secured to the facemask. The adjustment strap is adjustably extendable about the head of the user and manipulatable against the head of the user for a snug fit. 
         [0008]    The present invention further includes a method for covering at least a portion of a head of a user. The method comprises providing a helmet having a first side and a second side, providing a facemask, forming a first aperture in the first side of the helmet, forming a second aperture in the second side of the helmet, providing a first adjustable strap having a first portion and a second portion, securing the first portion of the first adjustable strap to the first aperture by a first anchor, securing the second portion of the first adjustable strap to the facemask, providing a second adjustable strap having a first portion and a second portion, securing the first portion of the second adjustable strap to the second aperture by a second anchor, securing the second portion of the second adjustable strap to the facemask, releasably connecting the first portion to the second portion of the first adjustable strap together with a first buckle, releasably connecting the first portion and the second portion of the second adjustable strap together with a second buckle, providing a facemask adjustment strap having a first end and a second end, securing both the first end and the second end to the facemask, adjustably extending the adjustment strap about the head of the user, and manipulating the adjustment strap against the head of the user for a snug fit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective views illustrating a tactical helmet system, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with a facemask detached from a helmet; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an elevational front view illustrating the facemask of the tactical helmet system, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the facemask of the tactical helmet system, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the tactical helmet system, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the facemask releasably secured to the helmet; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the helmet of the tactical helmet system, constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , the present invention is a tactical helmet system, indicated generally at  10 , presenting airsoft competitors with a complete, form-fitting, easily adjustable headgear package. The tactical helmet system  10  of the present invention is a tactical, military-inspired Kevlar® helmet  12  and separate, metal mesh-style facemask  14  designed to fasten firmly and comfortably together through a unique system of adjustable buckles and straps. The tactical helmet system  10  more effectively links and joins already existing, pre-manufactured components into a single, better-fitting and more efficient set of integrated protective headgear for the rough-and-tumble of the airsoft battlefield. The fastening system of the tactical helmet system  10  of the present invention is needed because at present, the helmets  12  used in airsoft fasten only by a chin-strap  16 ; and the facemasks  14  fasten separately by straps that go around the back of the neck. Being two separate, unlinked components, the helmet  12  and the facemask  14  often interfere with one another, and make for an uncomfortable, inefficient combination. The tactical helmet system  10  of the present invention consists of a series of strategically positioned tensioning straps  18 , fabricated in nylon webbing, and a system of side-release or squeeze-release nylon buckles  20  designed to join the helmet  12  and the facemask  14  into a unit. The helmet  12  is modified by a pair of ¼-inch holes drilled in the mid-parietal section on either side of the helmet  12 , and these holes accommodate a pair of countersunk screws, ½″-20×¾″, that serve as anchors for the interior fastening of two adjustable tensioning straps  18  and two female, receiving buckles  20 . The straps  18  and the buckles  20  are anchored to the interior of the helmet  12 , and their anchorage is covered by the helmet&#39;s internal cushioning liner. The strap  18  and the buckle  20  descend from the interior of the helmet  12  on either side, and when not in use to secure the lower facemask  14 , can be pulled upward on the outside of the helmets  12  and stowed within an elastic loop. (The loop itself is finished with VELCRO® and can be laid flat when not in use.) The lower facemask  14 , in the central upper regions which cover the upper cheeks and ears, is fitted with a pair of snap-closure straps and a metal bracket which accommodates the descending tensioning strap from the helmet  12 , as well as a pair of male side-release buckles  20  that mate with the female buckles  20  of the helmet  12 . The straps  18  and the buckles  20  secure the facemask  14  firmly, adjustably and comfortably to the helmet  12 . Additionally, the facemask  14  is fitted with an additional set of male side-release buckles at the lower rear on either side; and an adjustable, elastic, VELCRO®-fastening strap  22  with a female buckle on either end secures the rear of the lower facemask  14 , passing around the back of the wearer&#39;s neck. Further, the tag ends of the helmet-facemask tensioning straps are finished with mating VELCRO® patches, and these crisscross behind the wearer&#39;s neck to fasten in a secure, comfortable, and unobstructive manner. The outfit also includes a second VELCRO®-adjustable, elastic strap fitted with female side-release buckles at either end; and this strap may be used in the absence of the helmet  12  to secure the facemask  14 , the strap connecting with the male buckles of the upper facemask  14  and passing over the wearer&#39;s head. The manner of use of the tactical helmet system  10  of the present invention will now be described. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the manner of use of the tactical helmet system  10  described herein is merely one method of use and other methods of use of the tactical helmet system  10  are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0015]    The tactical helmet system  10  of the present invention has four pairs of clips  20  and four pairs of adjustment straps  18 . With the helmet  12  on, the two clips  20  protrude one on each side of the helmet  12 ; the two male ends of the upper portion of the lower facemask  14  are connected to the adjustment system. The adjustment of the lower facemask  14  to the helmet  12  is done by pulling down on both adjustment straps  18  one on each side of the helmet  12  until the desired fit is attained. The lower facemask rear elastic and Velcro strap  22  is then connected and adjusted so the facemask  14  fits firm, yet comfortable against the user&#39;s face. 
         [0016]    The tactical helmet system  10  of the present invention unifies the separate components of the headgear required for safety in the sport of airsoft. In the absence of such a system, the helmet  12  and facemask  14 , i.e., being fastened separately to the wearer, and not to each other, become bulky impediments, and interfere with one another rather than working smoothly and seamlessly together. The adjustable fasteners correct this deficiency, and mold the helmet  12  and facemask  14  into a protective unit that the combatant will not have to fuss with or think about in the heat of battle. 
         [0017]    The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.