Patent Publication Number: US-2012024916-A1

Title: Apparatus and system for transporting a helmet

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/368,523 entitled “APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORTING A HELMET” and filed on Jul. 28, 2010 for Caroline Amanda Horner, and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/354,815 entitled “HELMET CARRIER” and filed on Jan. 28, 2010 for Caroline Amanda Horner, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This invention relates to luggage and more particularly relates to luggage for transporting outdoor recreational equipment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Outdoor equipment such as skiing or snowboarding equipment can be cumbersome and difficult to transport. Many of the items associated with such sports are bulky and no efficient means for transporting such items has been heretofore designed. For example, helmets used in such sports are often bulky and take up a large space in any bag or other transporting device. 
     SUMMARY 
     From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus and system for transporting a helmet. Beneficially, such an apparatus and system would include a convenient and efficient way to secure and transport a helmet. 
     The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available sports equipment transporting devices. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus and system for transporting a helmet that overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art. 
     The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes a pouch and a harness. The pouch includes four three-sided panels. Each three-sided panel is coupled to two adjacent three-sided panels along a first side and a second side of the three-sided panel to define a hemisphere shaped helmet receiving space in the pouch. In certain embodiments, a third side of each three-sided panel defines a rim of the pouch. The rim is positioned opposite an apex of the pouch. The apex of the pouch comprising a point at which a vertex of each of the four substantially triangular panels meet. 
     In certain embodiments, each substantially triangular panel includes at least two convex sides with each convex side coupled a convex side of an adjacent substantially triangular panel. In one embodiment, the resiliently deformable material of each of the four three-sided panels comprises an elastic material. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes an adjusting member configured to adjust the size or shape of the helmet receiving space. 
     The harness, in certain embodiments, is coupled to the pouch. The harness facilitates transportation of the pouch. In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a coupling member attached to the harness. The coupling member is configured to removably attach the pouch to a portable object. 
     In certain embodiments the harness includes a first strap coupled to a first side of the pouch at a proximal end of the first strap. The first strap is coupled to a first coupling member at a distal end of the first strap. The harness further includes a second strap coupled to an opposite side of the pouch at a proximal end of the second strap. The second strap is coupled to a second coupling member at a distal end of the second strap. In one embodiment, the first and second coupling members are configured to removably attach the pouch to a portable object. In another embodiment, the first coupling member is coupleable to the second coupling member to form a loop defined by the first strap, the second strap, and the pouch. In yet another embodiment, the harness comprises at least one shoulder strap. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the advantages of the subject matter may be readily understood, a more particular description of the subject matter will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the subject matter and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the subject matter will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a system for transporting a helmet; 
         FIG. 2  is a right side view further illustrating the system for transporting a helmet of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus for transporting a helmet; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view further illustrating the apparatus for transporting a helmet of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view further illustrating the apparatus for transporting a helmet of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view illustrating one embodiment of a three-sided panel of the apparatus for transporting a helmet of  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a system for transporting a helmet. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
     Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the subject matter described herein may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the subject matter. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the disclosed subject matter may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosed subject matter. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a system  100  for transporting a helmet. The system  100  includes a portable object  102 , a pouch  104 , a first coupling member (not shown), a harness  108 , and a second coupling member  106  coupled to the harness  108 . 
     In certain embodiments the portable object  102  may be a backpack, an item of luggage, a satchel, a bag, a purse, or other means for storing or transporting items. In one embodiment the portable object  102  may include one or more wheels  110  to facilitate transportation of the portable object  102 . In such an embodiment the portable object  102  may include a telescoping handle (not shown) to assist a user in manipulating the portable object  102  when transporting the portable object  102 . One of skill in the art will recognize that in certain embodiments the handle (not shown) may be fixed in a position at or around a height of a typical user&#39;s waist rather than including a telescoping feature into the handle (not shown). 
     In other embodiments the portable object  102  may include a shoulder strap (not shown) such that the portable object  102  may be carried on a user&#39;s shoulder to facilitate transportation of the portable object  102 . In yet another embodiment the portable object  102  may include a backpacking harness (not shown) such that the portable object may be carried on a user&#39;s back in a manner similar to the way a user transports a backpack. 
     In certain embodiments the portable object  102  may include a number of storage compartments  112  to assist a user in transporting or storing items. For example, in one embodiment the portable object  102  may include a main storage compartment  112   a  for storing larger items and two side storage compartments  112   b  and  112   c  positioned on either side of the main storage compartment  112   a  for containing smaller items. In one embodiment the inside of the flap  114  of the main storage compartment  112   a  may be lined with felt, fur, faux fur or another soft material to protect eyewear, cameras, cellular phones or other fragile items. One of skill in the art will recognize that the two side storage compartments  112   b ,  112   c  and the main storage compartment  112   a  may likewise be lined with a soft material to protect fragile items. 
     The main storage compartment  112   a , in one embodiment, may be lined with a waterproof liner (not shown) to keep items contained within the side storage compartments  112   b ,  112   c  or front storage compartment  112   d  separated from wet items such as ski boots, snowboarding boots, or other wet gear stored in the main storage compartment  112   a . In other embodiments the lining (not shown) may be water resistant rather than waterproof. In one embodiment the waterproof or water resistant liner (not shown) may be removable to facilitate cleaning of the waterproof or water resistant liner (not shown) and/or the main storage compartment  112   a . One of skill in the art will recognize that the two side storage compartments  112   b ,  112   c  and the main storage compartment  112   a  may likewise be lined with a waterproof or water resistant liner (not shown). 
     In one embodiment the main storage compartment  112   a  and/or the front storage compartment  112   d  and side compartments  112   b ,  112   c  may be compartmentalized. For example, in certain embodiments the compartments  112  may include insertable organizers for separating areas within each of the compartments. 
     In certain embodiments the portable object  102  may include a flap  114  to close the main storage compartment  112   a . A flap  116  may be included on the portable object  102  to close the front storage compartment  112   d . In certain embodiments the flap  114  and the flap  116  may be closed by mechanical fasteners, such as a zipper, positioned on the periphery of the flap  114  and the flap  116 . In other embodiments the flap  114  and the flap  116  may be closed by other fasteners such as zips, snaps, buckles, Velcro or other mechanical fasteners. In certain embodiments the zips, snaps, buckles, or other mechanical fasteners may be lockable. In one embodiment the flaps  114  and  116  may not be fastened at all but rather may simply lie against the surface of the portable object  102  to close the main storage compartment  112   a  and the front storage compartment  112   d . One of skill in the art will recognize that the side storage compartments  112   b ,  112   c  may likewise be closed by a mechanical fastener such as those described above. 
     The pouch  104 , in certain embodiments, includes four three-sided panels  118 . In certain embodiments each side  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 , and  128  of each three-sided panel  118  is slightly convex such that each side  126  is slightly rounded. Each three-sided panel  118  is coupled to two adjacent three-sided panels  118  along a first side and a second side of the three-sided panel  118  to define a hemisphere shaped helmet receiving space (not shown) in the pouch  104 . In one embodiment the three-sided panels  118  may be triangular. 
     For example, in certain embodiments a three-sided panel  118 , such as three-sided panel  118   d  includes a first side  120   a  and a second side  120   b . Similarly, three-sided panel  118   a  may also include a first side  122   a  and a second side  122   b . The first side  120   a  of three-sided panel  118   d  may be coupled to a second side  122   b  of three-sided panel  118   a . The first side  122   a  of three-sided panel  118   a  is coupled to a second side  124   b  of three-sided panel  118   b . The first side  124   a  of three-sided panel  118   b  is coupled the second side  126   b  of three-sided panel  118   c . Finally, the first side  126   a  of triangular panel  118   c  is coupled to the second side  120   b  of three-sided panel  118   d  to form the dome shaped pouch  104 . 
     One of skill in the art will recognize that in certain embodiments the three-sided panels  118  may be coupled to one another by stitching along stitching lines  132  with a thread or other stitching fiber. In other embodiments the three-sided panels  118  may be coupled to one another through by a chemical adhesive such as glue. In another embodiment the three-sided panels  118  may be made of a plastic material and may be coupled to one another by plastic welding techniques known in the art. 
     In one embodiment each three-sided panel  118  may be made of an elastomeric material that is capable of resuming its original shape after a deforming force has been applied. For example, in one embodiment each three-sided panel  118  may be made of a neoprene material which may stretch to accommodate a helmet (not shown). In certain embodiments the neoprene material both holds the helmet within the helmet receiving space (not shown) and protects the helmet from damage during transportation. In one embodiment the neoprene material may be waterproof or water resistant. One of skill in the art will recognize that in other embodiments each three-sided panel  118  may be made of elastomeric materials other than neoprene. 
     In certain embodiments a third side  128  of each three-sided panel  118  defines a rim  130  of the pouch  104 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , only the third side  128   d  of three-sided panel  118   d  and the third side  128   c  of three-sided panel  118   c  are visible. 
     The rim  130  is positioned opposite an apex  132  of the pouch  104 . As viewed in  FIG. 1 , an outer surface  134  of each three-sided panel  118  is convex to form the hemisphere shaped pouch  104  which culminates at the apex  132 . An inner surface (not shown) of the pouch is concave to define a hemisphere shaped helmet receiving space (not shown) in the pouch  104 . The apex  132  of the pouch is located at a point at which vertexes of each of the four substantially triangular panels  118  meet. In certain embodiments the hemisphere shaped pouch  104  may be substantially shaped to approximate one half of a globe. One of skill in the art will recognize that in other embodiments the hemisphere shaped pouch  104  may be elongated to approximate a shape of a helmet. 
     As discussed above, in certain embodiments each of the four three-sided panels  118  is made of a resiliently deformable material. The resiliently deformable material making up the substantially triangular panels  118  allows the size and/or shape of the helmet receiving space (not shown) to be adjusted to fit a range of sizes and/or shapes of helmets. In such an embodiment, the same sized pouch  104  may fit any number of shapes and/or sizes of helmets. 
     For example, in certain embodiments the resiliently deformable material of each of the four three-sided panels  118  comprises an elastic material that stretches to receive a range of sizes or shapes of helmets. The elastic material may operate to both stretch to fit a range of sizes or shapes of helmets as well as to retain a helmet within the helmet receiving area. 
     In one embodiment each three-sided panel  118  may be asymmetric such that each three-sided panel  118  has a front surface and a back surface. In certain embodiments the back surface may be the surface adjacent to the helmet receiving space (not shown) and the front surface may be the surface opposite the back surface. In other embodiments each three-sided panel  118  may be symmetric such that the front surface has the same profile as the back surface. 
     In one embodiment the pouch  104  may include a rim  130  that encircles the pouch  104 . In certain embodiments the rim  130  may have a diameter smaller than a diameter of a helmet (not shown) and be made of an elastomeric material that stretches to accommodate a helmet. In one embodiment the rim  130  of the pouch  104  clings or gathers around the bottom of the helmet (not shown) to maintain the helmet (not shown) within the helmet receiving area (not shown). In one embodiment a drawstring (not shown) may be included around the rim  130  of the pouch to aid in securing the helmet (not shown) within the helmet receiving area (not shown). 
     In other embodiments the pouch  104  may be made of a substantially rigid material. In such an embodiment the pouch  104  may made of a single piece of material formed to fit a range of sizes and/or shapes of helmets. For example, in certain embodiments the pouch  104  may be sized and/or shaped to fit a range of large sized helmets, a range of medium sized helmets, and a range of small sized helmets. One of skill in the art will recognize that the pouch  104  may be sized or shaped to fit helmets that would be considered to fall in between large, medium and small helmets. 
     In certain embodiments a harness  108  is coupled to the pouch  104 . The harness, in certain embodiments, includes a first strap  140   a  coupled to the pouch  104  at a proximal end  142  of the first strap  140 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  the first strap  140   a  is coupled to the pouch  104  at a first end  148  of the pouch  104 . The distal end  144  of the first strap  140   a  is coupled to a second coupling member  106 . A first coupling member (not shown) coupled to the portable object  102  removeably engages the second coupling member  106  to secure the pouch  104  to the portable object  102 . 
     In certain embodiments the first coupling member (not shown) and the second coupling member  106  may be the male and female components of a side release buckle as is known in the art. In other embodiments the first coupling member (not shown) and the second coupling member  106  may be a conventional buckle with a frame, bar and prong as is typically found on a belt buckle. In yet another embodiment the first coupling member (not shown) and the second coupling member  106  may be a hook and loop arrangement such as Velcro. One of skill in the art will recognize that any coupling member configured to couple one item to another is within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     In one embodiment the harness  108  may include a single strap that couples the pouch  104  to the portable object  102  to facilitate transportation of a helmet contained within the pouch  104 . In another embodiment the harness may include a second strap  140   b . The second strap  140   b  may be coupled to the rim  130  of the pouch  104  near an end  148  of the pouch  104  opposite the first end  146 . The second strap  140   b  is coupled to the rim  130  of the pouch  104  at a proximal end  150  of the second strap  140   b  and is coupled to a fourth coupling member  154  at a distal end  152  of the second strap  140   b.    
     A third coupling member  156  may be coupled to the portable object  102  to removably engage the fourth coupling member  154  to secure the pouch  104  to the portable object  102 . In this manner the pouch  104  may be removably coupled to the portable object  102  at two positions to secure the pouch  104  to the portable object  102  and to avoid movement of the pouch  104  with respect to the portable object  102 . In certain embodiments the third coupling member  156  is coupled to the portable object by a coupling strap  158 . In one embodiment at least one of the coupling members  106 ,  154 ,  156  and/or the first coupling member (not shown) is adjustable on the first strap  140   a , the second strap  140   b , the third coupling member  156 , and a first coupling member coupling strap (not shown) to adjust a tension applied to the pouch  104 . 
     In certain embodiments the third coupling member  156  and the fourth coupling member  154  may be substantially similar to the first coupling member (not show) and the second coupling member  106  respectively. As such, in certain embodiments third coupling member  156  and the fourth coupling member  154  may be the male and female components of a side release buckle as is known in the art. In other embodiments the third coupling member  156  and the fourth coupling member  154  may be a conventional buckle with a frame, bar and prong as is typically found on a belt buckle. In yet another embodiment the third coupling member  156  and the fourth coupling member  154  may be a hook and loop arrangement such as Velcro. One of skill in the art will recognize that any coupling member configured to couple one item to another is within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     While the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  depicts the pouch  104  as being coupled to the portable object  102  at a position substantially at the top of the portable object and bottom of the portable object  102 , one of skill in the art will recognize that the pouch  104  may be removably coupled to the portable object  102  at a position substantially in the middle of the portable object  102 . 
     In certain embodiments one of the first strap  140   a  and the second strap  140   b  may be coupled to the portable object  102  while the other of the first strap  140   a  and the second strap  140   b  is removably coupled to the portable object  102  to avoid misplacing the pouch. In such an embodiment a user may uncouple the strap  140  that is removably coupled to the portable object  102  to access items within the portable object  102 . 
     In another embodiment both the first strap  140   a  and the second strap  140   b  may be irremovably affixed to the portable object  102 . In such an embodiment the pouch  104  may include an access opening (not shown) to allow a user to position a helmet in the pouch for storage or transportation of the helmet. In one embodiment the access opening (not shown) may include a closure such as a zipper, hook and loop or other mechanical closure to secure the helmet within the pouch  104 . In an embodiment wherein both the first strap  140   a  and the second strap  140   b  are irremovably affixed to the portable object  102  the pouch  104  may include a helmet access opening (not shown) to provide access to insert or remove a helmet (not shown) from within the pouch  104 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the system  100  for transporting a helmet of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment. The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2  illustrates the portable object  102 , the pouch  104 , the second coupling member  106 , and the harness  108  of the system  100  for transporting a helmet of  FIG. 1 . 
     As discussed above, the second coupling member  106  may be removably engaged with a first coupling member  202  to couple the pouch  104  to the portable object  102 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first coupling member  202  is depicted as being engaged with the second coupling member  106 . The second coupling member  202  is coupled to the portable object  102  by the second coupling member coupling strap  204 . Similarly, the third coupling member  156  is depicted as being engaged with the fourth coupling member  154 . 
     In certain embodiments the side storage compartment  112   b  is shaped substantially similar to side storage compartment  112   c . In other embodiments, each side storage compartment  112  may have a specific shape designed to fit a specific item typically stored within the side storage compartment  112 . For example, where the portable object  102  is designed to be used as a ski accessory storage and transportation device, one of the side storage compartments  112  may be shaped to receive a pair of goggles and the other side storage compartment  112  may be shaped to receive soft goods such as a pair of gloves or a hat. One of skill in the art will recognize that the shape of the side storage compartments  112  may be activity specific. That is, in certain embodiments the system may be used in sports or activities other than skiing. In such embodiments each storage compartment  112  may be shaped to receive an article used in that sport or activity. In one embodiment the system may be used as a general travel bag. 
       FIG. 2  also illustrates three-sided panel  118   a  as having a third side  128   a  that, in cooperation with three-sided panel&#39;s  118   b - 118   d , define the rim  130  of the pouch  104 . In certain embodiments an edging material  206  may be coupled to the third side  128  of each three-sided panel  118 . The edging material  206  may be made of an elastomeric material having a resiliency sufficient to retain a helmet (not shown) within the helmet receiving area (not shown). 
     In certain embodiments, in addition to the rear wheels  110  positioned near a rear side of the portable object  102 , the portable object  102  may also include front leveling knobs  208 . In one embodiment the leveling knobs  208  may have a height sufficient to maintain a bottom surface  210  of the portable object  102  substantially horizontal to keep the portable object  102  from toppling forward. 
       FIG. 3  depicts one embodiment of an apparatus  300  for transporting a helmet. In certain embodiments the apparatus includes a pouch  104  and a harness coupled to the pouch  104 . 
     In certain embodiments the pouch  104  may be substantially similar to the pouch  104  of system  100  described above. Thus, in certain embodiments the pouch  104  includes four three-sided panels  118 . Each three-sided panel  118  is coupled to two adjacent three-sided panels  118  along a first side ( 120   a ,  122   a ,  124   a , and  126   a ) and a second side ( 120   b ,  122   b ,  124   b , and  126   b ) of the triangular shaped panel  118  to define a hemisphere shaped helmet receiving space (not shown) in the pouch  104 . 
     A third side  128  of each triangular shaped panel defines a rim of the pouch, the rim  130  positioned opposite an apex  132  of the pouch  104 . Note that only the third side  128   d  of three-sided panel  118   d  and the third side  128   c  of three-sided panel  118   c  can be seen in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3  as the third side  128   a  of three-sided panel  118   a  and the third side  128   b  of three-sided panel  118   b  are obscured from view. The apex  132  of the pouch comprising a point at which a vertex of each of the four substantially triangular panels  118  meet. 
     In certain embodiments each of the four three-sided panels  118  is made of a resiliently deformable material to adjust one of a size and a shape of the helmet receiving space (not shown). In one embodiment the resiliently deformable material of each of the four three-sided panels  118  is an elastic material that stretches to adjust the size or shape of the helmet receiving space (not shown). In another embodiment the resiliently deformable material of each of the four three-sided panels  118  is a cloth or other flexible material that forms around a helmet when the helmet is positioned in the helmet receiving space (not shown). In certain embodiments, the apparatus  100  may include an adjusting member that adjusts the size or shape of the helmet receiving space (not shown). 
     The harness  108  is coupled to the pouch  104  to facilitate transportation of the pouch  104 . In certain embodiments the harness  108  includes a first strap  140   a  coupled to a first side (not shown) of the pouch  104  at a proximal end (not shown) of the first strap  140   a . The first strap  140   a  is coupled to the coupling member  304  at a distal end  144  of the first strap  140   a . The harness  108  also includes a second strap  140   b  coupled to an opposite side  148  of the pouch  104  at a proximal end  150  of the second strap  140   b . The second strap  140   b  is coupled to a second coupling member  302  at a distal end  152  of the second strap  140   b.    
     In one embodiment the coupling members  302  and  304  are attached to the harness  108  to removably attach the pouch  104  to a portable object such as portable object  102 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3  the coupling member  302  is a female component of a side release buckle and the coupling member  304  is a male component of a side release buckle. In other embodiments both coupling members  302  and  304  may be of the same type. For example, in one embodiment the coupling members  302  and  304  may both be male coupling members that are coupleable to female coupling members  156 ,  202  on the portable object  102 . Of course, one of skill in the art will recognize that in certain embodiments the coupling members  302  and  304  may be female coupling members  302  and  304  that are coupleable to male coupling members  156 ,  202  on the portable object. 
     One of skill in the art will recognize that in certain embodiments the coupling member  302  may be removably engaged with a male component of a side release buckle (not shown) coupled to a portable object (not shown). Similarly, in certain embodiments the coupling member  304  may be removably engaged with a male component of a side release buckle (not shown) coupled to a portable object (not shown). 
     In other embodiments the coupling member  302  may be coupleable to the coupling member  304  to form a loop defined by the first strap  140   a , the second strap  140   b , and the pouch  104 . In another embodiment, the harness  108  may be a single strap without any coupling members. In such an embodiment the harness  108  may be coupled to the pouch  104  at the first side (not shown) and the opposite side  148  of the pouch  104  to form a loop defined by the pouch  104  and the harness  108 . In yet another embodiment the harness  108  may be coupled to only one side of pouch  104  and may contain coupling members such as coupling members  302  and  304  to couple the pouch to a portable object such as portable object  102 . In embodiments where the harness  108  forms a loop the loop may be used as a shoulder strap to transport the pouch  104  and any helmet contained within the helmet receiving space (not shown). 
       FIG. 4  depicts a top view of the pouch  104  of  FIG. 3  according to one embodiment. As discussed above, the pouch  108  includes four three-sided panels  118 . Each three-sided panel  118  is coupled to two adjacent three-sided panels  118  along a first side ( 120   a ,  122   a ,  124   a , and  126   a ) and a second side ( 120   b ,  122   b ,  124   b , and  126   b ) of the triangular shaped panel  118  to define a hemisphere shaped helmet receiving space (not shown) in the pouch  104 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4  the first coupling member  302  and the second coupling member  304  can be seen extending below the pouch  104 . In certain embodiments the harness  108  (see  FIGS. 1-3  above) may couple the first coupling member  302  and the second coupling member  304  to the pouch  104  at a position other than at the rim  130  of the pouch  104 . For example, in one embodiment the harness  108  may be coupled to a surface of one or more of the three-sided panels  118  rather than at the rim  130  of the pouch  104 . In another embodiment the harness  108  may extend over the outer surface  402  of the pouch  104  without actually coupling to the pouch  104  as illustrated by the phantom harness  108 . In such an embodiment the harness  108  may couple the pouch  104  to a portable object  102  without the harness  108  being physically coupled to the pouch  104 . In certain embodiments once the first coupling member  302  and the second coupling member  304  are engaged with corresponding coupling members on the portable object  102  the harness  104  may hold the pouch  104  on the portable object  102 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a bottom view of the pouch  104  of  FIG. 3  according to one embodiment. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5  the helmet receiving area  502  is shown. As discussed above, the helmet receiving area  502  is defined by the third sides  128  of each of the four three-sided panels  118 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5  the first coupling member  302  and the second coupling member  304  are depicted as being the female component of a side release buckle. One of skill in the art will recognize that in other embodiments the first coupling member  304  and the second coupling member  304  may be any of the coupling means or devices discussed above. For example, in one embodiment the first coupling member  302  and the second coupling member  304  may be the male component of a side release buckle. 
     In certain embodiments the first strap  140   a  and the second strap  140   b  of the harness couples the first and second coupling members  302 ,  304  to the pouch  104  in a manner substantially similar to the manner discussed above. In other embodiments the first and second coupling members  302  may be directly coupled to the pouch  104  such that a harness  108  may be unnecessary. In yet another embodiment the first and second coupling members  302 ,  304  may be directly coupled to the pouch  104  and a removable harness (not shown) may include additional coupling members (not shown) to couple the removable harness (not shown) to the pouch  104 . In such an embodiment the removable harness (not shown) may operate as a shoulder strap to facilitate transporting the helmet. 
       FIG. 6  depicts one embodiment one of the substantially triangular panels  118  of the pouch  104  described above. For clarity, the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6  is discussed with reference to substantially triangular panel  118   a . One of skill in the art will recognize that in certain embodiments each of substantially triangular panel  118   b ,  118   c , and  118   d  may be substantially similar to substantially triangular panel  118   a.    
     In certain embodiments the first side  122   a  and the second side  122   b  of substantially triangular panel  118   a  may be convex. When the first side  122   a  of substantially triangular panel  118   a  is coupled to the second side  124   b  of substantially triangular panel  118   b  the two substantially triangular panels  118   a ,  118   b  form one half of the dome shaped helmet receiving area  402 . As additional substantially triangular panels are coupled the entire dome shaped helmet receiving area  502  is formed. In one embodiment the third side  128   a  may also be convex. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a system  700  for transporting a helmet. In certain embodiments the system includes a pouch  104  and a harness  702  coupled to the pouch  104 . In one embodiment the pouch  104  is substantially similar to the pouch  104  described above. Thus, in certain embodiments the pouch  104  includes four three-sided panels  118 . Each three-sided panel  118  is coupled to two adjacent three-sided panel  118  along a first side  120   a ,  122   a ,  124   a , and  126   a  and a second side  120   b ,  122   b ,  124   b , and  126   b . The coupling between the first side  120   a ,  122   a ,  124   a , and  126   a  and a second side  120   b ,  122   b ,  124   b , and  126   b  creates a hemisphere shaped receiving space (not shown) in the pouch  104 . 
     A third side  128  of each three-sided panel  118  defines a rim  130  of the pouch  104 . In certain embodiments the rim  130  is positioned opposite an apex  132  of the pouch  104 . The apex  132  of the pouch is located at a point at which vertexes of each of the four substantially triangular panels  118  meet. 
     As discussed above, in certain embodiments each of the four three-sided panels  118  is made of a resiliently deformable material to adjust one of a size and a shape of the helmet receiving space. In one embodiment only one of the three-sided panels  118  may be made of a resiliently deformable material while the others may be made of a material that does not deform. In other embodiments two or three of the three-sided panels  118  may be made of a resiliently deformable material while the remaining three-sided panels  118  are made of a material that does not deform or is not resilient. 
     In certain embodiments the harness  702  may include a tab coupled to the pouch  104 . The harness  702  may include a loop  706  formed by folding the harness  702  on itself and sewing or otherwise coupling the harness  702  along sewing line  708  such that a loop  706  is created. The loop  706  receives a coupling member  704  to facilitate transportation of the pouch  104 . For example, in certain embodiments the coupling member  704  may be a carabineer. The carabineer is received within the loop  706  in the harness  702  to couple the coupling member  704  to the pouch  104 . The carabineer can then be coupled to a portable object such as the portable object  102  described above. One of skill in the art will recognize that in other embodiments the carabineer can be coupled to other portable objects or may be used to couple the pouch to a stationary object to secure the pouch  104 . In certain embodiments the pouch  104  may be coupled to an article of clothing such as a jacket (not shown) or pair of pants (not shown). 
     In certain embodiments the pouch  104  may provide protection to a helmet (not shown) during transportation. For example, in certain embodiments a helmet (not shown) may be received within the helmet receiving area  502  and may protect the helmet (not shown) from damage such as scratches or dents during transportation. In other embodiments the pouch  104  may also provide extra warmth or waterproofing or water-resistance when a user is wearing the helmet (not shown). In certain embodiments the pouch  104  may serve the dual purpose of protecting the helmet (not shown) from damage as well as protecting the user&#39;s from weather elements such as rain, sleet, snow, or cold temperatures. 
     In one embodiment the pouch  104  may be used as a placeholder for logos or other identification. For example, in one embodiment a ski or snowboard team may include a team name and/or logo on the outer surface  402  of the pouch  104 . In other embodiments an owner&#39;s name or other identifying mark may be included on the outer surface  402  of the pouch  104 . In certain embodiment the pouch  104  may include a number printed on the outer surface  402  of the pouch  104  such that the pouch may be used in place of a ski or snowboard racing bib. 
     While the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7  shows the harness as including a loop  706  for directly coupling the coupling member to the pouch  104 , one of skill in the art will recognize that the harness may include an additional coupling member for facilitating coupling the carabineer to the pouch  104 . For example, in one embodiment a substantially rigid ring or other coupling member (not shown) may be coupled to the harness  702  and the carabineer may be coupled to the substantially rigid ring or other coupling member (not shown). Further, while the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7  depicts the coupling member as a carabineer, one of skill in the art will recognize that other coupling members may be used to couple the pouch  104  to an object. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.