Helmet strap pad

Abstract

A helmet strap pad for sliding over a helmet strap and buckle. The strap pad includes a soft exterior layer, a tear resistant inner layer, and padding between the exterior and the inner layers. The inner layer prevents or reduces damage to the strap pad when the pad is positioned over the strap buckle. The soft exterior layer and padding eliminate or reduce a wearer's discomfort caused by the helmet strap and the buckle. The strap pad may have a range of lengths and widths for use by adults and children and for use with helmets for motorcycles, bicycles, skateboards, horseback riding, or for any helmet having a helmet strap. The strap pads may further be used over straps used to secure merchandise having surfaces which may be damaged by, for example, tie-down straps.

1 . A helmet strap pad comprising: 
 a tubular body between approximately two inches and approximately five inches in length and between approximately one inch and approximately four inches wide when laying flat;    a tear resistant inner layer of the body for resisting tearing; and    a soft outer layer of the body for providing comfort to a helmet wearer.    
   
   
       2 . The helmet strap of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body is between approximately one inch and approximately four inches wide when laying flat.  
   
   
       3 . The helmet strap of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular body is approximately one inch wide when laying flat.  
   
   
       4 . The helmet strap of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body is between approximately three inches and approximately five inches long.  
   
   
       5 . The helmet strap of  claim 4 , wherein the tubular body is approximately four and one half inches long.  
   
   
       6 . The helmet strap of  claim 4 , wherein the tubular body is configured to slide over a helmet strap.  
   
   
       7 . The helmet strap of  claim 1 , further including padding between the inner layer and the outer layer.  
   
   
       8 . The helmet strap of  claim 7 , wherein the padding is thin foam padding.  
   
   
       9 . The helmet strap of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is felt.  
   
   
       10 . A helmet strap pad comprising: 
 a tubular body between approximately two inches and approximately five inches in length and between approximately one inch and approximately four inches wide when laying flat;    a tear resistant inner layer of the body for resisting tearing;    a soft outer layer of the body for providing comfort to a helmet wearer; and    padding residing between the inner layer and the outer layer.    
   
   
       11 . A method for wearing a helmet strap pad, the method comprising: 
 sliding a helmet strap pad over a first buckle half residing on a first helmet strap end and over the first helmet strap end;    joining the first buckle half with a second buckle half residing on a second helmet strap end, under a wearer's chin;    sliding the helmet strap pad over the joined buckle halves;    approximately centering the helmet strap pad under the wearer's chin;    maintaining a tear resistant inner surface of the helmet strap pad against the first buckle half and against the first helmet strap end while sliding the helmet strap pad; and    maintaining a soft outer surface of the helmet strap pad away from the first buckle half and away from the first helmet strap end while sliding the helmet strap pad.