Patent ID: 8656520

Claim:
A helmet comprising: an outer shell having an interior and an exterior surface, the outer shell comprising a first side portion and a second side portion, each side portion having an ear opening; the outer shell further comprising a recess formed in the exterior surface thereof, the recess comprising a pair of curved regions comprising a first curved transition portion extending along a bottom edge of the first side portion, and a second curved transition portion extending along a bottom edge of the second side portion; an inner liner attached to the interior of the outer shell; and a face mask, the face mask having an integral attachment portion attached to the outer shell and positioned in the recess in the exterior surface of the outer shell, the attachment portion comprising a first portion extending generally along the bottom edge on the first side portion and shaped to correspond to the recess of the first side portion, and a second portion extending generally along the bottom edge on the second side portion and shaped to correspond to the recess of the second side portion, wherein the attachment portion is attached at a point that is lower than the ear openings of the first and second side portions, and wherein the attachment portion of the face mask and the recess in the exterior surface of the outer shell are constructed and arranged such that an exterior surface of the attachment portion and the exterior surface of the outer shell are substantially flush.