Patent Publication Number: US-2007094769-A1

Title: Helmet having temple intake ports

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to protective headgear and, more particularly, to a helmet having temple intake ports.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Protective headgear, such as helmets, are often used in activities, such as bicycling, skateboarding, motorcycling, rock climbing, snowboarding, and skiing, that are associated with an increased risk of head injury. Typically, such protective headgear is designed to maintain its structural integrity and stay secured to the head of a wearer, while protecting the wearer from a trauma to the head. In many types of protective headgear, such as motorcycle helmets, it is often desirable to offer substantially full coverage to the top, back, and sides of the wearer&#39;s head to better protect the wearer from head traumas. Unfortunately, this full coverage may also cause heat and perspiration to accumulate within the interior of the helmet leading to wearer discomfort.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a helmet having temple intake ports is provided. In a particular embodiment, the helmet comprises an outer protective shell, an inner protective layer disposed substantially within the outer protective shell and configured to substantially enclose a wearer&#39;s head, and at least one intake port proximate a temple area of the helmet configured to direct airflow from an exterior of the helmet through the inner protective layer into an interior of the helmet.  
      A technical advantage of particular embodiments of the present invention includes a helmet offering improved ventilation. By positioning intake ports proximate the temples of the wearer, particular embodiments of the present invention are able to better direct airflow from the exterior of the helmet and direct it into the interior of the helmet where it may cool the wearer.  
      Another technical advantage of particular embodiments of the present invention includes the ability to ventilate a helmet without diminishing the structural integrity of the helmet or reducing the coverage provided to the wearer&#39;s head. By locating intake ports proximate the temple areas of the helmet and directing the airflow caught by the intake ports into the interior of the helmet, particular embodiments of the present invention are able to ventilate the helmet while still offering substantially full coverage of the wearer&#39;s head.  
      Other technical advantages of the present invention may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some, or none of the enumerated advantages.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      For a more complete understanding of the present invention and features and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  illustrates an environment in which a helmet in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention may be used;  
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a side view of a helmet in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of the helmet shown in  FIG. 2A  with a portion cut-away;  
       FIG. 2C  illustrates a rear three-quarter view of the helmet shown in  FIGS. 2A  and B with a portion cut-away;  
       FIG. 2D  illustrates a front view of the helmet shown in FIGS.  2 A-C; and  
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a method of ventilating a helmet in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a helmet having temple intake ports is provided. In a particular embodiment, the helmet comprises an outer protective shell, an inner protective layer disposed substantially within the outer protective shell and configured to substantially enclose a wearer&#39;s head, and at least one intake port proximate a temple area of the helmet configured to direct airflow from an exterior of the helmet through the inner protective layer into an interior of the helmet. By equipping a helmet with these temple intake ports, particular embodiments of the present invention are able to offer improved ventilation for the wearer without diminishing the protection provided by the helmet.  
       FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of an environment  100  in which a helmet  110  in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention may be used. As shown in  FIG. 1 , environment  100  includes a user (wearer)  102  riding a motorcycle  104  and wearing helmet  110 . Generally, helmet  110  may comprise any type of protective headgear, such as a bicycle helmet, motorcycle helmet, or hardhat. Furthermore, although helmet  110  is used to describe a particular embodiment of the present invention, it should be understood that any type of headgear, protective or non-protective, may benefit from the teachings of the present invention.  
      If user  102  were to accidentally fall off motorcycle  104 , user  102  could suffer various injuries, including head trauma. Therefore, helmet  110  is designed to remain secured to head  106  during an impact while maintaining its structural integrity. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, helmet  110  is also designed to offer improved ventilation due to a pair of temple intake ports located proximate the temple areas of helmet  110 . These intake ports are designed to direct airflow into the interior of helmet  110 , where it may cool the head of user  102 .  
      A better understanding of the present invention may be had by making reference to FIGS.  2 A-D, which illustrate different views of helmet  110  in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a side view of helmet  110 , with  FIG. 2B  having a portion cut-away.  FIG. 2C  illustrates a rear, three-quarter perspective view of helmet  110  with a portion cut-away.  FIG. 2D  illustrates a front view of helmet  110 .  
      As shown in FIGS.  2 A-D, helmet  110  generally comprises an inner protective layer  204  disposed substantially within an outer protective layer or shell  202 . Generally, inner protective layer  204  of helmet  110  may be formed from any suitable material that can protect a user&#39;s head from an impact, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), while outer protective shell  202  may be formed from any suitable material that can provide an additional layer of protection around inner protective layer  204 , such as polycarbonate plastic, fiberglass, or carbon fiber/Kevlar/fiberglass tri-weave. In particular embodiments, helmet  110  may also include a comfort liner  250  configured to provide further cushioning for the wearer&#39;s head and/or absorb perspiration inside the interior of helmet  110 .  
      Generally, helmet  110  is configured to substantially enclose the top, back, and sides of a wearer&#39;s head. However, in particular embodiments helmet  110  includes a facial opening  230  configured to leave at least a portion of the wearer&#39;s field of vision unobscured. In fact, in particular embodiments of the present invention, facial opening  230  may leave substantially all of the wearer&#39;s face unenclosed. However, as illustrated in FIGS.  2 A-D, other embodiments of helmet  110  may include a faceguard  240  configured to protect the chin, mouth, and/or nose of the wearer from impact. Particular embodiments of the present invention may also include a visor  220  extending forward from the front of helmet  110  above the eyes of the wearer to shield the wearer&#39;s eyes from the sun and/or debris.  
      Helmet  110  also includes one or more intake ports  208  ( FIGS. 2A  and D) located proximate the temple areas of the helmet. As used herein, “temple area” refers the portion of the helmet that is proximate the temple area of the head of the wearer. Generally each intake port  208  comprises a forward-facing air inlet that directs airflow into the interior of helmet  110  to cool the head of the wearer and dissipate perspiration that may have accumulated within helmet  110 .  
      In particular embodiments of the present invention, intake ports  208  may each be formed between inner protective layer  204  and outer protective shell  202  at the edge of facial opening  230 , near the temple area of helmet  110 , as shown in  FIG. 2D . In such an embodiment, intake ports  208  may appear as an enlarged gap between inner protective layer  204  and outer protective shell  202  at the temples of helmet  110 . This enlarged gap is actually designed to catch airflow, particularly when helmet  110  is in motion, such as when being worn by a user riding a motorcycle. For example, in particular embodiments, intake ports  208  may be configured to capture high-velocity airflow that comes off either the face or goggles of the wearer. In such an embodiment, intake ports  208  may direct this airflow into a interstitial space  260  ( FIG. 2C ) separating outer protective shell  202  from inner protective layer  204 . It should be recognized, however, that interstitial space  260  need not comprise the entire interface between outer protective shell  202  and inner protective layer  240 . In fact, in particular embodiments of the present invention, interstitial space  260  need only comprise the area between outer protective shell  202  and inner protective layer  240  adjacent intake ports  208 . Regardless of the extent of interstitial space  260 , one or more of air ducts  210  ( FIG. 2C ) formed through inner protective layer  204  then direct the airflow from interstitial space  260 , through inner protective layer  204 , into the interior of helmet  110 . In particular embodiments of helmet  110  including liner  250 , liner  250  may also comprise mesh panels  290  positioned to allow air flow from air ducts  210  to enter the interior of helmet  110 .  
      In other embodiments of the present invention, rather than being formed at the intersection of inner protective layer  204  and outer protective shell  202 , intake ports  208  may be formed on the exterior surface of outer protective shell  202  proximate the temple areas of helmet  110 . Intake ports  208  may then direct airflow through outer protective shell  202  into interstitial space  260  and on into the interior of helmet  110  as discussed above.  
      Furthermore, in particular embodiments of the present invention, intake port  208  may include a screen covering configured to prevent large particles and debris from entering and potentially clogging intake port  208 .  
      Once the airflow has been directed into the interior of helmet  110 , the air may then cool the head of the wearer and help to dry or evaporate any perspiration that may have accumulated inside the helmet. In particular embodiments, the air may then be vented out of helmet  110  using one or more exit ducts  280  through inner protective layer  204  located at the top and/or rear of helmet  110 . These exit ducts  280  direct the vented air out of helmet  110  through one or more exit ports  270  through outer protective shell  202  located at the top and/or rear of helmet  110 . In combination with intake ports  208 , exit ports  270  help to ensure adequate airflow through helmet  110 .  
      Unlike traditional crown ports (i.e., vent holes formed through the helmet proximate the top of the helmet) or exit ports, temple intake ports  208  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention help provide enhanced airflow through helmet  110 . By positioning intake ports  208  proximate the temple areas of helmet  110 , intake ports  208  are better able to collect airflow when helmet  110  is in motion and direct that airflow into the interior of helmet  110  where it may cool the head of the wearer and help dissipate any perspiration that may have accumulated. Furthermore, in particular embodiments of the present invention, intake ports  208  may be provided without creating holes through outer protective shell  202  that might weaken shell  202 .  
      A better understanding of the system and method of the present invention may be had by referring to  FIG. 3 , which illustrates flowchart  300  of one method of ventilating a helmet in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention. After beginning in at step  302 , flowchart  300  proceeds to step  304 , where an inner protective layer is formed from a suitable material that can protect a wearer&#39;s head from an impact. An example of one such material is expanded polystyrene (EPS). Typically, this inner protective layer is formed by injecting a mold in the shape of the inner protective layer with EPS and then heating the mold such that the EPS expands to take the shape of the mold. In particular embodiments, this inner protective layer may also be formed as separate parts which are later jointed together to form a single inner protective layer.  
      One or more ducts are formed through the inner protective layer in step  306 . These ducts provide a passageway through which airflow may be directed into the interior of the inner protective layer to cool the wearer&#39;s head. In particular embodiments of the present invention, these ducts may be formed at the same time as the inner protective layer. In such an embodiment, the ducts may simply be defined by the mold used to form the inner protective layer. In other embodiments, the ducts may be formed through the inner protective layer by machining or other suitable means. In yet other embodiments, the ducts may be formed by joining together two pieces of the inner protective layer (in a helmet with a multi-piece inner protective layer) such that each of the two pieces defines part of the duct.  
      At step  308 , an outer protective shell is formed from a material that can provide an additional layer of protection around the inner protective layer. Examples of such a material include carbon fiber/Kevlar/fiberglass tri-weave, fiberglass, and injection-molded polycarbonate plastic. In particular embodiments, this outer protective shell is formed separately from the inner protective layer.  
      At step  310 , the inner protective layer is then inserted into the outer protective shell. In particular embodiments of the present invention, this may require inserting the inner protective layer into the outer protective shell in separate pieces, as inner protective layer may be too large to fit through the facial opening or neck opening of the outer protective shell in one piece. Once inserted into the outer protective shell, the inner protective layer may be secured inside the outer protective shell using an adhesive or other method of coupling the two. In particular embodiments of the present invention, the inner protective layer may be positioned inside the outer protective shell such that an interstitial space is formed between the inner protective layer and the outer protective shell at one or more locations on the helmet (e.g., the temple areas).  
      At step  312 , one or more intake ports configured to direct airflow into the interstitial space between the inner protective layer and outer protective shell are formed. Generally, these intake ports are located proximate the temple areas of the helmet. In particular embodiments of the present invention, these intake ports may be formed at the intersection of the inner protective layer and outer protective shell at the edge of the facial opening of the helmet. In other embodiments, the intake ports may be formed on the exterior of the outer protective shell proximate the temple areas of the helmet. These exterior intake ports then direct airflow through the outer protective shell, into the interstitial space between the outer protective shell and inner protective layer, and on into the interior of the helmet.  
      After the intake ports have been successfully formed, such that the ports direct airflow from the exterior of the helmet into the interior of the helmet, flowchart  300  terminates at step  314 .  
      Although flowchart  300  describes a particular order of steps for assembling a ventilated helmet in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, particular embodiments of the present invention may use all, some, or none of the steps described above. Moreover, particular embodiments may perform those steps in a different order than that described above without departing from the teachings of the present invention.  
      By directing airflow from the exterior of a helmet into the interior of the helmet through one or more temple intake ports, particular embodiments of the present invention offer improved ventilation for the wearer, helping to cool the wearer&#39;s head and dissipate any perspiration that may have accumulated inside the helmet, while providing adequate protection for the wearer from head trauma and/or other injuries.  
      Although particular embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.