Helmet with built-in storage compartment and method

Abstract

A helmet ( 24 ) having a built-in storage compartment ( 7 ) located beneath an exterior shell ( 2 ) of the helmet ( 24 ). The helmet ( 24 ), which may be a helmet ( 24 ) used in sporting activities or for work purposes, has interior shell ( 23 ) adapted to engage a head of a user, a front portion ( 3 ), a rear portion ( 4 ) and a first side ( 5 ) and an opposing second side ( 6 ). At least one storage compartment ( 7 ) is located between the exterior shell ( 2 ) and the interior shell ( 23 ) wherein the storage compartment ( 7 ) is predeterminedly sized and predeterminedly shaped. The storage compartment ( 7 ) has a base ( 8 ) and preferably four sides ( 9, 10, 11 and 12 ) extending from the base ( 8 ) which intersect with the exterior shell ( 2 ) to form the storage compartment ( 7 ). A cover ( 13 ) is secured to the helmet exterior shell ( 2 ) and is predeterminedly sized and shaped so as to substantially cover the storage compartment ( 7 ). A securing means ( 16 ), which may be a push button ( 17 ) or rotatable flange ( 27 ), retains the cover ( 13 ) in a closed position.

1 . A helmet with built-in storage compartment comprising:
 a helmet having an exterior shell and an interior shell;   said interior shell adapted to engage a head of a user;   said helmet having a front portion;   said helmet having a rear portion;   said helmet having a first side and an opposing second side;   at least one storage compartment located between said exterior shell and said interior shell wherein said at least one storage compartment is predeterminedly sized and predeterminedly shaped;   said at least one storage compartment having a base;   said at least one storage compartment having at least one side extending from said base which intersect with said exterior shell;   a cover secured to said helmet exterior shell and predeterminedly sized and shaped so as to substantially cover said at least one storage compartment;   said cover having a top surface and a bottom surface; and   a securing means for retaining said cover in a closed position.   
   
   
       2 . The helmet with built-in storage compartment of  claim 1  wherein:
 said cover is hingedly secured to said exterior shell.   
   
   
       3 . The helmet with built-in storage compartment of  claim 1  wherein:
 said securing means is a rotatable flange secured to said exterior shell such that said rotatable flange is positioned over said cover in order to retain said cover in a closed position.   
   
   
       4 . The helmet with built-in storage compartment of  claim 2  wherein:
 said securing means is a rotatable flange secured to said exterior shell such that said rotatable flange is positioned over a portion of said cover in order to retain said cover in a closed position.   
   
   
       5 . The helmet with built-in storage compartment of  claim 1  wherein:
 said securing means is at least one push button located on said exterior shell adjacent to said cover;   said at least one push button having a moveable latch which is retracted upon depressing said at least one push button;   said cover has a front surface; and   at least one notch located on said cover front surface sized for the acceptance of said movable latch;   wherein said movable latch is located within said at least one notch in order to retain said cover in a closed position.   
   
   
       6 . The helmet with built-in storage compartment of  claim 2  wherein:
 said securing means is at least one push button located on said exterior shell adjacent to said cover;   said at least one push button having a moveable latch which is retracted upon depressing said at least one push button;   said cover has a front surface; and   at least one notch located on said cover front surface sized for the acceptance of said movable latch;   wherein said movable latch is located within said at least one notch in order to retain said cover in a closed position.   
   
   
       7 . The helmet with built-in storage compartment of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a predetermined amount of cushion located on said base.   
   
   
       8 . The helmet with built-in storage compartment of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a predetermined amount of cushion located on said base.   
   
   
       9 . The helmet with built-in storage compartment of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a predetermined amount of cushion located on said base.   
   
   
       10 . The helmet with built-in storage compartment of  claim 4  further comprising:
 a predetermined amount of cushion located on said base.   
   
   
       11 . The helmet with built-in storage compartment of  claim 5  further comprising:
 a predetermined amount of cushion located on said base.   
   
   
       12 . The helmet with built-in storage compartment of  claim 6  further comprising:
 a predetermined amount of cushion located on said base.   
   
   
       13 . A helmet with built-in storage compartment comprising:
 a helmet having an exterior shell and an interior shell;   said interior shell adapted to engage a head of a user;   said helmet having a front portion;   said helmet having a rear portion;   said helmet having a first side and an opposing second side;   at least one storage compartment located between said exterior shell and said interior shell wherein said at least one storage compartment is predeterminedly sized and predeterminedly shaped;   said at least one storage compartment having a base;   said at least one storage compartment having at least one side extending from said base which intersect with said exterior shell;   a cover hingedly secured to said helmet exterior shell and predeterminedly sized and shaped so as to substantially cover said at least one storage compartment;   said cover having a top surface and a bottom surface;   said cover having a front surface;   a securing means for retaining said cover in a closed position;   at least one push button located on said exterior shell adjacent to said cover;   said at least one push button having a moveable latch which is retracted upon depressing said at least one push button; and   at least one notch located on said cover front surface sized for the acceptance of said movable latch;   wherein said movable latch is located within said at least one notch in order to retain said cover in a closed position.   
   
   
       14 . The helmet with built-in storage compartment of  claim 13  further comprising:
 a predetermined amount of cushion located on said base.   
   
   
       15 . A helmet with built-in storage compartment comprising:
 a helmet having an exterior shell and an interior shell;   said interior shell adapted to engage a head of a user;   said helmet having a front portion;   said helmet having a rear portion;   said helmet having a first side and an opposing second side;   at least one storage compartment located between said exterior shell and said interior shell wherein said at least one storage compartment is predeterminedly sized and predeterminedly shaped;   said at least one storage compartment having a base;   said at least one storage compartment having four sides extending from said base which intersect with said exterior shell;   a cover hingedly secured to said helmet exterior shell and predeterminedly sized and shaped so as to substantially cover said at least one storage compartment;   said cover having a top surface and a bottom surface;   said cover having a front surface, a rear surface and two opposing side surfaces;   a securing means for retaining said cover in a closed position;   at least one push button located on said exterior shell adjacent to said cover;   said at least one push button having a moveable latch which is retracted upon depressing said at least one push button; and   at least one notch located on said cover front surface sized for the acceptance of said movable latch;   wherein said movable latch is located within said at least one notch in order to retain said cover in a closed position.   
   
   
       16 . The helmet with built-in storage compartment of  claim 15  further comprising:
 a predetermined amount of cushion located on said base.   
   
   
       17 . A method of using a helmet with built-in storage compartment comprising a helmet having an exterior shell and an interior shell; said interior shell adapted to engage a head of a user; said helmet having a front portion; said helmet having a rear portion; said helmet having a first side and an opposing second side; at least one storage compartment located between said exterior shell and said interior shell wherein said at least one storage compartment is predeterminedly sized and predeterminedly shaped; said at least one storage compartment having a base; said at least one storage compartment having at least one side extending from said base which intersect with said exterior shell; a cover secured to said helmet exterior shell and predeterminedly sized and shaped so as to substantially cover said at least one storage compartment; said cover having a top surface and a bottom surface; and a securing means for retaining said cover in a closed position, said method comprising the steps of:
 a. opening said cover to expose said at least one storage compartment;   b. inserting an object into said at least one storage compartment; and   c. closing said cover to conceal said at least one storage compartment.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising a step after step c of:
 d. securing said cover to retain said cover in said closed position.