Helmet with ski pass holder

Abstract

A pass holder incorporated into a helmet allows the display of a ski pass in a secure manner and in clear view from the front of the helmet. According to an embodiment of the system described herein, the helmet may include a structure having an internal cavity and an external surface, a window disposed adjacent to the external surface, and an area disposed beneath the window that allows visual access to a ski pass. The helmet may be a ski helmet or a snowboarding helmet. In other embodiments, the helmet may include a visor with a flexible frame attached thereto that allows visual access to the pass that is insertable into the frame. The location of the pass holder and pass held therein may allow an attendant to easily and effectively view or scan the pass, such as in connection with allowing access to a ski lift.

1 . A helmet, comprising:
 a structure having an internal cavity and a rigid external surface;   a window disposed in a position adjacent to the rigid external surface, wherein the window is structurally supported in the position adjacent to the rigid external surface by rigidity of the rigid external surface; and   an area disposed beneath the window, wherein the area is sized to receive a pass, and wherein the pass is visually accessible through the window.   
   
   
       2 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the helmet is at least one of: a ski helmet and a snowboarding helmet. 
   
   
       3 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the window includes a transparent impact resistant material. 
   
   
       4 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the window includes a hole in the rigid external surface, and wherein the window further includes a frame coupled to rigid external surface of the helmet that secures the pass in place. 
   
   
       5 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the window includes a transparent material fixedly attached flush with the rigid external surface. 
   
   
       6 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the window is movably attached to the helmet along an edge of the window, and wherein the window is moved to uncover the area beneath the window. 
   
   
       7 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the area beneath the window is accessible through the internal cavity. 
   
   
       8 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flexible sheet that slides into the area beneath the window.   
   
   
       9 . The helmet according to  claim 8 , wherein the flexible sheet includes at least one tab that slides into at least one opening in the external surface of the helmet. 
   
   
       10 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a clip assembly disposed on the external surface that engages the window.   
   
   
       11 . A method for displaying a pass, comprising:
 providing a window disposed in a position adjacent to a rigid external surface of a helmet having an internal cavity, wherein the window is structurally supported in the position adjacent to the rigid external surface by rigidity of the rigid external surface; and   providing an area disposed beneath the window, wherein the area is sized for insertion of a pass.   
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the helmet is at least one of: a ski helmet and a snowboarding helmet. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the window is a transparent impact resistant material. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the window includes a hole in the rigid external surface, and wherein the window further includes a frame coupled to rigid external surface of the helmet that secures the pass in place. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the window is fixedly attached flush with the rigid external surface. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the window is movably attached to the helmet along an edge of the window, and wherein the window is moved to uncover the area beneath the window. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the area beneath the window is accessible through the internal cavity. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 sliding a flexible sheet into the area beneath the window.   
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 securing the window using a clip assembly disposed on the rigid external surface of the helmet.   
   
   
       20 . A ski/snowboarding helmet, comprising:
 a structure having an internal cavity and an external surface;   a shield component coupled to the external surface, wherein the shield component is at least one of: a visor and a face guard;   a window disposed on the shield component, wherein the window is supported on the shield component by a flexible frame attached to the shield component; and   an area disposed beneath the window, wherein the area is sized to receive a pass, and wherein the pass is visually accessible through the window.   
   
   
       21 . The ski/snowboarding helmet according to  claim 20 , wherein the flexible frame forms an opening through which the pass is insertable and that secures the pass in position in the area disposed beneath the window by engagement of the flexible frame with the pass. 
   
   
       22 . The ski/snowboarding helmet according to  claim 20 , wherein the window includes a transparent covering coupled to the frame, wherein the pass is insertable beneath the transparent covering into the area disposed beneath the window.