Patent ID: 8813269

Claim:
A sports helmet comprising: a shell; a faceguard; a faceguard connector assembly having a bracket with at least one channel that receives an extent of the faceguard, the faceguard connector assembly further having a releasable coupler mechanism that extends through both the bracket and an opening in the shell to secure the faceguard to the shell in a use position, the releasable coupler mechanism including: a washer having a main body that extends substantially perpendicular from a flange of the washer, the main body having a central opening and extending into and positioned within the shell opening; a cylindrical body that extends through the bracket and the shell opening, wherein an extent of the cylindrical body is received by the central opening of the washer in the use position; and, a head positioned within the bracket, the head configured to receive a tool that applies an actuation force; and, wherein the actuation force is applied to the coupler mechanism to move the coupler mechanism from the use position to a disconnected position that allows for removal of the bracket from the shell to permit the faceguard to be displaced with respect to the shell.