Helmet chinstrap

Abstract

A helmet chinstrap system having attachment straps looped through a stiff molded and perforated cup that is suitably shaped to fit across the user's chin. The system also includes one or more removable cup liners, a center flexible bumper fitted across the center perforation of the cup. Each attachment strap has an adjustable slider mechanism that allows the chinstrap system to be variably attached to the helmet attachment snaps.

What I claim is:  
     
         1 . A helmet chin strap system comprised of: 
 a. An outer hard cup containing material selected from a group comprising polycarbonate and Titanium;    b. at least one inner compressible pad, of which a portion of one is shaped to fit within the hard cup, and selected from a group comprising closed cell foam, closed cell foam at least partially covered with moisture absorptive fabric, Sorbaothane, molded and non viscous gel, fluid gel or air filled bladder, and fluid gel or air filled bladder at least partially covered with moisture absorptive fabric, and    c. a plurality of flexible straps and strap splitters that allow the helmet chin strap system to be removably attached to different locations on a helmet or upon different helmets.    
     
     
         2 . The helmet chinstrap system of claim one further comprising an outer hard cup having at least one perforation that can receive a flexible bumper and having a reinforcing lip on the cup edge.  
     
     
         3 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 2  further comprising a plurality of perforations through the outer hard cup and at least one inner compressible pad.  
     
     
         4 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 2  further comprising flexible straps looped through the adjustable strap splitter mechanism and having a snap attachment on each strap end for removably connecting the helmet chinstrap system to the helmet.  
     
     
         5 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 2  further comprising a flexible bumper attached to the outer hard cup in conjunction with at least one of the hard cup perforations.  
     
     
         6 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 5  wherein the flexible bumper contains visible information.  
     
     
         7 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 5  wherein the visible information is at least one of a group of information topics comprising, the name of the individual wearing the helmet, identification number of the individual, the name of the organization to which the user is affiliated, the logo of the organization, the manufacturer of the helmet, the maker of the invention, an advertiser, and name of an event.  
     
     
         8 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 5  wherein the flexible bumper is removable.  
     
     
         9 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 2  wherein at least one cushion pad is removable from the cup.  
     
     
         10 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 2  wherein the compressible pad is from a group comprising non-absorbent closed cell foam.  
     
     
         11 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 5  wherein the flexible bumper is replaceable.  
     
     
         12 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 2  wherein the flexible strap is of a selected color within a clear or translucent coating.  
     
     
         13 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 12  wherein the flexible strap provides visible information.  
     
     
         14 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 13  wherein the visible information of the flexible strap is at least one of a group of information topics comprising the name of the individual wearing the helmet, identification number of the individual, the name of the organization to which the user is affiliated, the logo of the organization, the manufacturer of the helmet, the maker of the invention, an advertiser, and name of an event.  
     
     
         15 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 2  further comprising at least one compressible pad that containing indentations to facilitate the placement of an additional compressible pad.  
     
     
         16 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 2  further comprising a compressible pad containing indentations that facilitate creation of a small space between a portion of the user's skin and the chinstrap system.  
     
     
         17 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 2  further comprising antibacterial fabric covered compressible pads capable of absorbing skin moisture.  
     
     
         18 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 2  further comprising a compressible pad having a closed foam component and a fluid bladder component.  
     
     
         19 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 4  wherein the snap attachments are of a selected color.  
     
     
         20 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 2  wherein the fluid within at least one bladder can be activated to produce a temperature change.  
     
     
         21 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 2  further comprising a fluid gel bladder wherein the fluid gel changes to non fluid phase upon contact with ambient air.  
     
     
         22 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 2  further comprising a fluid gel filled bladder wherein the fluid gel is of a color to identify when the bladder has been ruptured.  
     
     
         23 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 2  further comprising a fluid bladder containing a valve.  
     
     
         24 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 23  wherein the valve permits controlled fluid escape upon impact.  
     
     
         25 . The helmet chinstrap system of  claim 23  wherein the valve allows air to be pumped into the bladder.