Helmet having temple intake ports

Abstract

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a helmet having temple intake ports is provided. In a particular embodiment, the helmet includes an outer protective shell, an inner protective layer disposed substantially within the outer protective shell and configured to substantially enclose a wearer's head, and at least one intake port proximate a temple area of the helmet configured to direct airflow from an exterior of the helmet through the inner protective layer into an interior of the helmet.

1 . A helmet, comprising: 
 an outer protective shell;    an inner protective layer disposed substantially within the outer protective shell and configured to substantially enclose a wearer's head; and    at least one intake port proximate a temple area of the helmet configured to direct airflow from an exterior of the helmet through the inner protective layer into an interior of the helmet.    
     
     
         2 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one intake port is configured to direct the airflow from the exterior of the helmet into an interstitial space between the outer protective shell and the inner protective layer; and 
 wherein the inner protective layer includes at least one duct configured to direct the airflow from the interstitial space into the interior of the helmet.    
     
     
         3 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one intake port comprises an enlarged opening formed between the outer protective shell and the inner protective layer along the edge of a facial opening in the helmet.  
     
     
         4 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one intake port is formed on the exterior of the outer protective shell and configured to direct airflow through the outer protective shell into an interstitial space between the outer protective shell and the inner protective layer; and 
 wherein the inner protective layer includes at least one duct configured to direct the airflow from the interstitial space into the interior of the helmet.    
     
     
         5 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one exit vent proximate a rear of the helmet.  
     
     
         6 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the inner protective layer comprises expanded polystyrene.  
     
     
         7 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the outer protective shell comprises polycarbonate plastic.  
     
     
         8 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the outer protective shell comprises fiberglass.  
     
     
         9 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the outer protective shell comprises carbon fiber.  
     
     
         10 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the outer protective shell comprises carbon fiber/Kevlar/fiberglass tri-weave.  
     
     
         11 . A method of ventilating a helmet, comprising: 
 forming an inner protective layer configured to substantially enclose a wearer's head;    substantially enclosing the inner protective layer in an outer protective shell; and    forming at least one intake port proximate a temple area of the helmet configured to direct airflow from an exterior of the helmet through the inner protective layer into an interior of the helmet.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising forming an interstitial space between the inner protective layer and the outer protective shell; 
 wherein the at least one intake port is configured to direct the airflow from exterior of the helmet into the interstitial space; and    wherein the inner protective layer includes at least one duct configured to direct the airflow from the interstitial space into the interior of the helmet.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one intake port comprises an enlarged opening formed between the outer protective shell and the inner protective layer along the edge of a facial opening in the helmet.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one intake port is formed on the exterior of the outer protective shell and configured to direct airflow through the outer protective shell into an interstitial space between the outer protective shell and the inner protective layer; and 
 wherein the inner protective layer includes at least one duct configured to direct the airflow from the interstitial space into the interior of the helmet.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising forming at least one exit vent proximate a rear of the helmet configured to vent airflow from the interior of the inner protective layer to the exterior of the helmet.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the inner protective layer comprises expanded polystyrene.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the outer protective shell comprises polycarbonate plastic.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the outer protective shell comprises fiberglass.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the outer protective shell comprises carbon fiber.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the outer protective shell comprises carbon fiber/Kevlar/fiberglass tri-weave.