Auxiliary securing strap for use with a helmet having a primary chin strap and an integral front chin-guard portion

Abstract

An auxiliary securing strap is for use with a helmet having a primary chin strap, a cranial portion, and an integral front chin-guard portion. The integral front chin-guard portion of the helmet has lateral end portions securely engaging the cranial portion. The auxiliary securing strap includes a strap end portion that is adapted to securely engage the primary chin strap of the helmet. The auxiliary securing strap also includes a guard end portion that is in substantially juxtaposed securely engaged relation with the strap end portion. The guard end portion is adapted to securely engage the integral front chin-guard portion of the helmet.

1 . An auxiliary securing strap for use with a helmet having a primary chin strap, a cranial portion, and an integral front chin-guard portion, with the integral front chin-guard portion having left and right lateral end portions securely engaging the cranial portion, said auxiliary securing strap comprising: 
 a) a strap end portion being adapted to securely engage the primary chin strap of the helmet; and    b) a guard end portion in substantially juxtaposed securely engaged relation with said strap end portion, and with said guard end portion being adapted to securely engage the integral front chin-guard portion of the helmet.    
   
   
       2 . An auxiliary securing strap according to  claim 1 , wherein said strap end portion comprises: 
 a) a strap engaging member being adapted to securely engage the primary chin strap of the helmet as aforesaid; and    b) a chin engaging member securely engaging said strap engaging member, with said chin engaging member being adapted to engage the chin of a user, and with said chin engaging member being in said substantially juxtaposed securely engaged relation with said guard end portion.    
   
   
       3 . An auxiliary securing strap according to  claim 2 , wherein said strap engaging member is further adapted to securely engage the primary chin strap in removably secure strap relation.  
   
   
       4 . An auxiliary securing strap according to  claim 3 , wherein said strap engaging member comprises a first web of material that is adapted to engage the primary chin strap in said removably secure strap relation.  
   
   
       5 . An auxiliary securing strap according to  claim 2 , wherein said guard end portion is further adapted to securely engage the integral front chin-guard portion in removably secure guard relation.  
   
   
       6 . An auxiliary securing strap according to  claim 5 , wherein said guard end portion comprises left and right guard sub-straps, with each of said guard sub-straps being adapted to engage the integral front chin-guard portion in said removably secure guard relation.  
   
   
       7 . An auxiliary securing strap according to  claim 6 , wherein each of said guard sub-straps is adapted to engage a respective one of the lateral end portions of the integral front chin-guard in said removably secure guard relation.  
   
   
       8 . An auxiliary securing strap according to  claim 7 , wherein each of said guard sub-straps extends, in said removably secure guard relation, about the respective one of the lateral end portions in substantially vertically circumferencing relation.  
   
   
       9 . An auxiliary securing strap according to  claim 8 , wherein each of said guard sub-straps comprises a first sub-strap end portion, a second sub-strap end portion, and a sub-strap intermediate portion that is substantially juxtaposed in secure relation between said first sub-strap end portion and said second sub-strap end portion, with said second sub-strap end portion being in said substantially juxtaposed securely engaged relation with said chin engaging member.  
   
   
       10 . An auxiliary securing strap according to  claim 9 , wherein each of said guard sub-straps is provided with a respective releasable hook and loop guard fastening portion.  
   
   
       11 . An auxiliary securing strap according to  claim 10 , wherein said guard end portion further comprises left and right securing rings, with each of said securing rings securely mounted substantially adjacent to a respective one said second sub-strap end portion, with each of said guard sub-straps extending as aforesaid about the respective one of the lateral end portions in said substantially vertically circumferencing relation, and wherein said first sub-strap end portion further extends through a respective one of said securing rings, with said first sub-strap end portion being foldable back over said intermediate portion to secure said respective releasable hook and loop guard fastening portion.  
   
   
       12 . An auxiliary securing strap according to  claim 4 , wherein said first web of material of said strap engaging member has first and second web ends fixedly secured to the chin engaging member, such that said chin engaging member and said first web of material together define a primary chin strap receiving aperture, and wherein the primary chin strap of the helmet removably extends, in said removably secure strap relation, through said primary chin strap receiving aperture.  
   
   
       13 . An auxiliary securing strap according to  claim 4 , wherein said strap engaging member further comprises a releasable hook and loop strap fastening portion securely mounted to said first web of material.  
   
   
       14 . An auxiliary securing strap according to  claim 13 , wherein said strap engaging portion further comprises a central securing ring mounted substantially adjacent to said chin engaging member, and wherein said first web of material extends through said central securing ring, with said first web of material being foldable to secure said releasable hook and loop strap fastening portion, such that said chin engaging member and said first web of material together define a primary chin strap receiving aperture, and wherein the primary chin strap of the helmet removably extends, in said removably secure strap relation, through said primary chin strap receiving aperture.  
   
   
       15 . A helmet apparatus comprising: 
 a) a cranial portion adapted to securely engage the head of a user;    b) an integral front chin-guard portion having left and right lateral end portions, with each of said lateral end portions securely engaging said cranial portion, with said integral front chin-guard portion adapted to extend laterally about a front portion of the chin of the user;    c) a primary chin strap adapted to securely engage a lower portion of the chin of the user in substantially adjacent relation to the neck of the user; and    d) an auxiliary securing strap comprising: 
 i) a strap end portion securely engaging said primary chin strap;  
 ii) an intermediate chin portion securely engaging said strap end portion, with said intermediate chin portion being adapted to engage said lower portion of the chin of the user; and  
 iii) a guard end portion securely engaging said intermediate chin portion and said integral front chin-guard portion of the helmet.  
   
   
   
       16 . A helmet apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said strap end portion engages said primary chin strap in removably secure strap relation.  
   
   
       17 . A helmet apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said strap end portion comprises a first web of material that is adapted to engage the primary chin strap in said removably secure strap relation.  
   
   
       18 . A helmet apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said guard end portion engages the integral front chin-guard portion in removably secure guard relation.  
   
   
       19 . A helmet apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said guard end portion comprises left and right guard sub-straps, with each of said guard sub-straps engaging a respective one of said lateral end portions of said integral front chin-guard in said removably secure guard relation.  
   
   
       20 . An auxiliary securing strap according to  claim 19 , wherein each of said guard sub-straps extends, in said removably secure guard relation, about said respective one of said lateral end portions in substantially vertically circumferencing relation.