Patent ID: 7827617

Claim:
A helmet chin strap assembly comprising: a chin strap segment provided at one end with a quick-release first connector element; a first temple strap segment connected at one end to an end of said chin strap segment opposite said first connector element; a second temple strap segment provided at one end with a quick-release second connector element for cooperating with said first connector element to attach to said chin strap segment, said first temple strap segment and said second temple strap segment being disposable forward of respective ears of a user; a first lower strap segment connected to said chin strap segment and said first temple strap segment; a second lower strap segment connected to said second temple strap segment and said second connector element, said first lower strap segment and said second lower strap segment being disposable below the respective ears of the user; a nape pad adjustably connected to said first lower strap segment and said second lower strap segment, said nape pad being slidably connected to said first lower strap and said second lower strap, said nape pad having an adjustable effective length so as to enable the user to change a distance between said first lower strap and said second lower strap at said nape pad; and a plurality of coupling units for attaching respective ones of said first temple strap segment, said second temple strap segment, said first lower strap segment, and said second lower strap segment to the helmet, each of said coupling units comprising: an anchor strap; a plastic or polymeric reinforcement member attached to said anchor strap; and a screw or bolt element passable through said anchor strap and said reinforcement member and the helmet; wherein said first and second temple strap segments extend generally vertically downward from the helmet, and said chin strap segment extends between said first and second temple strap segments at a downward and forward orientation to be disposable under the chin of a user.